Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1243749
A L M O N D O R C H A R D 2 0 2 5 G O A L S WATER USE "Usually, companies sell the hardware outright but then charge a reoccurring fee, so you need to know what that fee covers as there can be some big differences in pricing," Devol said. Devol advises growers ask providers if a subscription to their technology includes field service and support for technical issues, as well as connectivity and data, or if there are extra fees associated with those services. It's also important to know ahead of time if the cost for the technology is all inclusive – covered by one bill – or if the company provides "a la carte" items for each individual service, which are charged via separate bills. "Most companies sell a product up front, then you pay a fee to have it serviced, a fee for the access to the software and the communication cost," he said. Devol said some companies are contract-based, while others might offer a lease option, so you should also be sure to clarify that financial aspect. Additionally, while most companies offer similar services and plans, their own internal structures can differ greatly, ranging from startups to mature businesses, each with a different business model. Devol said it's fair to ask providers what their companies' backing is. If they are venture backed, it's wise to ask about their exit strategy. He said it's also useful to know how long a company has been doing business in the irrigation arena. "If they're venture backed, they could be shut down within a few years," said Devol, "and if you're the guy in the field who just bought their equipment, that's a bad place to be." According to Devol, asking companies these questions is not only fair but necessary before investing in their technology. Finally, Devol advises that you get all offers, costs, warranties and any pertinent information in writing, regardless of which provider or technology you select. 4 Keep it maintained to keep it running Once you choose a product, regular maintenance is necessary to ensure the overall, long-term success of your technology. Devol suggests that as a first step growers read ABC's Almond Irrigation Improvement Continuum for the best advice on technology upkeep as well as strategies for continuous improvement. "The most important section in the Irrigation Continuum is page 4, which outlines your path towards continuous irrigation improvement. All growers are at different irrigation management levels, so by working through each topic in the Continuum, with a goal of getting to Level 3, you will see improvements in your water use, crop health and production," Devol said. As part of regular maintenance, Devol strongly suggests you examine your orchard's irrigation system, at minimum, every three years to determine distribution uniformity. "The importance of good distribution uniformity is often overlooked in our growing operations. Distribution uniformity is a measure of how uniformly an irrigation system distributes water across an orchard. Having low uniformity will require applying additional water to meet plant needs in some areas of the orchard while over irrigating other areas," Devol said. A high performing irrigation system will inevitably require maintenance. Once you notice issues with your system, a few areas to focus on include fixing leaks at risers, repairing non-functioning pressure regulators, flushing irrigation lines and cleaning emitters clogged by organic material and minerals, and checking your service filter stations. Gone unchecked, those issues can greatly reduce the efficiency of your irrigation system, which means a solid maintenance program directly benefits you and the overall industry in its effort to increase water use efficiency and achieve this Almond Orchard 2025 Goal. To speak with a variety of irrigation system providers under one roof, you need to attend The Almond Conference 2020, held December 8–10 at Cal Expo in Sacramento. For more information on the conference, please visit AlmondConference.com. Before making a purchase, it's imperative that growers ask providers how their irrigation technology extracts data from the field. "This is crucial to determine, because the way data is transferred directly correlates with the technology's cost and efficiency," Devol said. Continuous Improvement Are you interested in receiving a FREE irrigation system performance evaluation from the Almond Board? Contact Tom Devol today at tdevol@almondboard.com to learn more about these evaluations, and be sure to download a free copy of ABC's Almond Irrigation Improvement Continuum at Almonds.com/Irrigation. Almond Board of California 4