DRIP IRRIGATION
TRIPS, TIPS AND TRAPS
BILL COX
AG SERVICES
COXCO AG. SERVICES, INC
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The way it was versus the way it is
1993 2008
CONVERSION RATE TO DRIP IRRIGATION
• The first drip systems were installed in 1993
– each
3 Growers started with 80 acres each.
• Not much happened for the next 2-3 years.
– There was a pretty big learning curve and the neighbors waited and watched
• y gy proven and the “push” was on
By1996 the technology was p p
– Lots of drip acres were added from 1996 through 2006
– The EQUIP Program in the farm bill funded a lot of this growth
• By 2007 90% of the acres I serviced in the “pump” areas were watered with drip
irrigation
– In 2008 I looked at over 10,000 acres of drip crops
– We have grown just about any crop you can think of under drip irrigation
WHAT DRIP CAN DO FOR THE FARMER
• In 1993 average green Chile • In 2005 average green Chile
yields were 16 tons per acre yields were 33 tons per acre
• $275 =
1993 16 tons @ $ • $295 =
2005 33 tons @ $
$4400.00/acre $9735.00/acre
• In 1993 we had 3 tractors in • In 2005 we had 1 250hp tractor
the 250 + hp range
• In 2005 we farmed every acre
• In 1993 we typically left 30% of with the same water we had in
the land fallow due to water 1993.
availability.
MORE BENEFITS FROM DRIP
• Drip irrigation allows you to keep the moisture levels at optimum
• You use a lot less nitrogen with drip and can put it where it needs to
be
• The ground is always dry enough to g a sprayer or harvest
g y y g get p y
equipment through.
• Fewer cultivation trips
• Less wind and water erosion
• Short water supplies go a lot farther with drip
• Your boots will last a lot longer
WHAT DRIP CAN DO FOR THE CONSULTANT
• Drip irrigation allows you to be an expert
• It allows you to increase acres without increasing clients
• It makes your clients money so they can pay you
WHAT DRIP CAN DO TO THE CONSULTANT
• There is a steep learning curve.
• Each crop is different
• Each drip system is different
• Forget everything you think you know about fertility and get ready for an
education
• Drip makes lots of small fields out of one big one
• Gary Shiflett farmed 12 fields in 1993
• In 2005 on the same farm he had 40 fields
• It takes a lot more time to check drip – be sure you charge enough!
WHAT DRIP CAN DO TO THE CONSULTANT
• 2000 • 2008
yp pp g pattern p
Typical cropping p p
prior to drip
cotton
wheat
fallow
Cotton 1/2 chile
Wheat 1/2 fallow
p
2008 crop
,
BE READY TO WRITE, TYPE OR WHATEVER
2005
1993
WHAT DRIP CAN DO TO THE CONSULTANT
• Information must flow both ways
• You’ve got to know what was done and when it was done before you check
the fields
• Herbicide ti limited in diverse cropping system
H bi id options are li it d i a di i t
• You farm the same beds year after year so you’ve got to be careful what you
put on them
• Drip irrigation is not easy!
• It allows you to be a better farmer but it also forces you to be a better
farmer.
COMMON MISCONSEPTIONS
• CROPS DO NOT USE LESS WATER WITH DRIP
• EXISTING WATER SUPPLIES GO FARTHER WITH DRIP DUE TO THE
INCREASE IN EFFICIENCY
– COTTON - 20-23”
– CHILE – 26-33”
– WHEAT – 32”
– MILO (FULL) – 24”
– MILO (SHORT) – 12-18”
– 39
ONIONS – 39”
– CORN – 30-36”
• THE CONVERSION TO DRIP IRRIGATION IS NOT EASY
– THE COST IS CONSIDERABLE, THE LEARNING CURVE IS STEEP AND THE
MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS ARE HIGH
TIPS
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• GPS is a MUST when installing drip
• It is harder than you think to keep the beds in the same spot for 10
years
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• Some cultivation practices require y to run close to the tape
• If you have dirty water, stay away from disk filters!
• Rock separators and sand media filters fit our area best
The d tb ll d h installing drip
• Th ground must be well prepared when i t lli d i
• Avoid low spots or excessive slopes
• It is hard to dissolve clods with drip
• Design the system for the crop
• Tape depth
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• Emitter spacing
TIPS
• CHEAP TAPE IS CHEAP TAPE!
– Any money you save by using “cheap” tape will be spent
trying to correct p
y g yield reductions will be
problems and the y
significant
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The problem – “Bargain” tape
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The temporary solution
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The ultimate solution – replace the tape
TRIPS
• DISEASE PATTERNS CHANGE WITH DRIP IRRIGATION
– Prior to drip, verticillium wilt was not much of a problem – now it is
– Prior to drip, phytophthora was a serious problem – now it isn’t
– It is very hard to sanitize drip fields so rotation is extremely critical
• WEED CONTROL IS MUCH MORE CRITICAL AND CHEMICAL
OPTIONS ARE LIMITED DUE TO ROTATIONAL RESTRICTIONS
• RODENTS HAVE BECOME A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN DRIP
FIELDS
– Rats, Rabbits, Gophers and Coyotes find drip irrigated fields are a nice
place to live
• In 2007, we lost up to 25% of our cotton and chile to rodents
BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU PUT YOUR FIRST
DRIP SYSTEM
MAINTENANCE IS IMPORTANT
GOPHERS LOVE DRIP TAPE
DON’T FALL FOR FLASHY ADVERTISEMENTS
THE “EXPERTS” DON’T ALWAYS HAVE THE
RIGHT ANSWERS
IN CONCLUSION
• DRIP IRRIGATION IS THE SINGLE BIGGEST ADVANCEMENT IN
AGRICULTURE IN NEW MEXICO IN THE LAST 35 YEARS.
Remember, life is short. Laugh hard, smile often,
appreciate the beauty in all things and be thankful
pp y g
for every day you get!