Irrigation Training Series

Mobile Internet usage from connected devices like smart irrigation controllers has exploded over the last decade. From 2007-2017, data traffic on AT&T’s wireless network increased more than 360,000 percent. But the upcoming 2G/3G network sunset dates are rapidly approaching in 2022. Implementing a transition plan will be essential for businesses to avoid significant disruption when these critical wireless networks they depend on for operating their smart controllers or other IoT devices the connectivity suddenly goes dark.

Each iteration of wireless network technology has historically replaced the previous generation. But the idea that 5G will be a direct replacement for 4G is false. In fact, they’re complementary and designed to coexist. Furthermore, 4G is expected to last for at least another decade, possibly longer, sharing the available spectrum between 4G LTE and 5G devices because of their integrated dependencies. The first 4G LTE sunset announcements as such aren’t expected until after 2030, which means that companies can safely invest in 4G-based IoT solutions today and for the foreseeable future.

Our guests from Digi International, a leading global provider of IoT connectivity products, services, and solutions, have connected 100 million-plus “things” over the past 30 years.

We’ll talk with them about what the 3G sunset means for business risk management, what will be possible only with 5G, and why most companies will be able to work just as well and at a significantly lower cost with the current 4G LTE technology. In this session, you will learn:

Why do carriers shut down networks?

Cannabis growers as a group are more interested in quality and sustainability than most water managers. Indoor growers have a ton of knowledge about water and nutrients and use the knowledge to their advantage. They are managing indoor cultivation scientifically. They perform at a very high level and have a thirst for more knowledge.

Cannabis grown indoors yields an average value of $112 per square foot (0.1 square meter), according to a report on indoor farming by Agrilyst, well ahead of greens ($64 per square foot) and strawberries ($22). Agrilyst calculated indoor cannabis production to be 9,000 times more productive on a dollar basis than commercial corn production. The Denver University Law Review calculated a return of 22 cents to $6.67 per gallon (3.8 liters) of water from cannabis grown in Colorado, compared to 2 to 3 cents per gallon ROI from potatoes, another of the state’s major crops.

This sets up an interesting discussion about the best use of our most precious natural resource, water. As water gets more scarce, should the water go to those who use it most economically or to those who grow food? Jim Lauria will walk us through the opportunities to take advantage of and the pitfalls to avoid. Please join us to learn from one of water’s most dynamic speakers.

Grass growing in strips between sidewalks and streets (commonly known as boulevards or parking strips) is not very useful but difficult to irrigate efficiently. As such, most of the water applied to these areas is wasted in overspray and runoff.

A smart and easy way to reduce water usage AND improve curb appeal is to “flip your strip.” In other words, convert from high water use grass and spray irrigation to low water-use native or localscapes and drip irrigation.

In this webinar, we’ll cover the basics:

As the season draws to a close, water conservation continues to be a hot topic. One of the best technologies available today for water conservation is drip irrigation on center pivots for farming.

This process has put farmland previously removed from production (due to insufficient water) back in production. In addition, it increases yields, significantly reduces evaporation, soil compaction, and eliminates wind drift.

Our guest this week, Monty Teeter, will share successes from the past season and take us through some of his many recent achievements. It is a webinar you do not want to miss.

Dragon-Line mobile drip irrigation combines center pivot irrigation and drip irrigation technology for agricultural irrigation. Dragon-Line patented technology combines surface drip irrigation efficiency with the flexibility and economics of mechanized irrigation systems.

Dragon-Line is an orange drip-line tubing co-extruded from a blend of high-quality PE resin. The pressure compensating emitters are continuous self-flushing, welded to the drip line’s internal wall, and fully operation at seven psi.

Dragon-Line Emitter Tubing is attached to Dragon Flex Hose, which drags on the soil surface, thus the name “Dragon-Line.” As Dragon-Line is pulled behind the system, the emitters deliver a uniform water pattern across the irrigated area’s full length.

During this presentation, you will learn:

How you can benefit from mobile drip irrigation

Special Guest: Monty Teeter.

A dead tree needlessly cut down and hauled away is a tree deprived of half its life value and commendable destiny. Gillian Martin’s presentation unveils the habitat value of dead trees.

She persuasively illustrates their contribution to the diversity and sustainability of forests, yes, even the urban forest.

You will learn what to consider when selecting and retaining a hazardous tree as a habitat tree in the urban forest, and Gillian hopes you will forever view a dead tree with greater interest and a desire to safely retain them when possible.

Rainfall is free irrigation, but if your controller is not measuring and using the rain properly for irrigation, you are missing out.

Not to mention the embarrassment when your sprinklers are on and it is raining. There are many ways to suspend irrigation during the rain, but the more significant question is when to turn it back on so you do not overwater.

In addition, watering before a rain is costly because your soil is saturated when the rain comes. Finally, rain is measured in inches, and irrigation is applied in inches per hour, and how much of the rain that fell is usable. We are going to answer all these questions on Wednesday. We will discuss:

How to avoid having your sprinklers run during a rain.

Special Guest: David Laybourn.

Once harvest is over, most irrigation managers are ready for a well-deserved break. However, some of the most critical work for the year, post-season irrigation maintenance, still needs to happen. Taking the proper steps today will positively impact your profits next year.

Cory Broad will take us through a step-by-step process to ensure your irrigation system is ready for the following year. Cory is a Certified Crop Adviser, Certified Irrigation Designer, and Certified Ag Irrigation Specialist. Cory is a lifelong resident of the Central Valley and specializes in helping agricultural producers achieve maximum production while minimizing water use.

During this webinar, you will learn:

Special Guest: Cory Broad.

A good irrigation schedule tells you how often to water and for how long. Easy right? Yes, until you start to think about all the variables that go into a schedule like soil type, temperature, wind speeds, cloud cover, how much water your irrigation system delivers every minute, and many more.

In addition to those variables, you have situational variables like a newly established landscape or a particular zone with new plantings. It can be overwhelming.

Fortunately for us, Gregg Black will teach us a simple process that steps us through all these variables and more to ensure you are applying the proper amount of water to your landscape or crop.

During this session, you will learn:

Four different types of schedules – Fully automatic, user-defined, fixed, and establishment schedules

Special Guest: Gregg Black.

While a commercial landscape irrigation system may rest below the ground, the landscape is insightful and relies on a solid water delivery system. With water shortages constantly threatening the West Coast and consistent rains on the East Coast, landscape companies are continually trying to find innovative ways to sell irrigation to their commercial customers.

Join us this week to hear Michael Derewenko and Stacey Sturnot discuss how JAIN and Landscapes USA brought the right solutions to customers in exciting times.

We’ll spotlight a few successful projects that brought ancillary opportunities to Landscapes USA, all stemming from initial irrigation challenges.

During this session you will learn:

How to make an overall evaluation of an irrigation system

Special Guest: Stacey Sturnot.

This past year Jain Irrigation was the first Irrigation Manufacturer to offer hands-on farm water management services to growers. Jain’s team of experts helped growers observe, analyze, and act on plant responses using high-resolution satellite imaging while monitoring soil moisture conditions, weather, and field irrigation events.

The team from Jain developed intelligent weekly irrigation schedules that our growers easily implemented. Growers also received reports on crop water consumption, water uniformity for their fields, crop vigor, and water infiltration reporting.

In this webinar, we learn how much of a difference active water management made to our customers. So if you’ve been thinking about Jain’s Farm Water Management Services for the coming season, you’ll want to tune in to learn about how growers have benefited in some surprising and unexpected ways.

Special Guest: Connor Cunningham.