Sept 2017

Prepared by

Summary of March 2017 Report

“Improving Mgmt. of

Ag Energy and Water Use”

http://www.californiawater.org/californiawater/management-of-agricultural-energy-and-water-use-with-access-to-improved-data/

Sept 2017

Prepared by

A Story About an Irrigation System

Sept 2017

Prepared by

40 Acres of Pistachios

Sept 2017

Prepared by

Pump Plant

Efficiency

21.5%

30 HP

60 HP

1 PSI

23 PSI

9PSI

18 PSI

15 PSI

Sept 2017

Prepared by

Sub-Main Flush

Fresh Water Clam Shells

Wrong Pressure Settings

Broken Regulators

Clogged Screens

Sept 2017

Prepared by

Flow Variation Throughout the System was Very Poor

Sept 2017

Prepared by

Effects of Poor Distribution Uniformity

0 1005 10 15 2520 30 4035 45 50 6055 65 70 75 80 85 90 95

2

1

4

3

5

6

DU = .6

DU = .7

DU = .8

DU = .9

DU = 1.0

% of Field Receiving the “Applied Water”

Ap

plie

d W

ate

r –

Acr

e F

oo

t

Sept 2017

Prepared by

California Irrigation Institute2015 Conference

“The Rest of the Story on Irrigation Efficiency”

“Approximately 55% of the crop non-uniformity is caused by irrigation system distribution uniformity”

Charles M Burt Chairman, Irrigation Training and Research Center

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, CA

Sept 2017

Prepared by

California Irrigation Institute 2015 Conference

“Most Crop Uniformity problems that we are called to investigate are related to poor distribution uniformity of the irrigation system and improper irrigation scheduling.”

Keith M. Backman –Dellavalle Labs

Sept 2017

Prepared by

Without Knowing the System Performance How Can We Implement Smart Device Monitoring and the Scheduling of Irrigations?

Sept 2017

Prepared by

Moisture Measuring Device

Sept 2017

Prepared by

Project Goals

• Identify types of information, software and hardware used for Irrigation management

• Determine the current adoption rate of technology

• Identify gaps and strategies for accelerating adoption

Sept 2017

Prepared by

Project Description

• Literature review

• Collected information from Growers via On-line Survey

• Conduct personal interviews

• Manufacturers

• Irrigation Dealers

• Growers

• Government

• Consultants

• Academia

Sept 2017

Prepared by

Project Key Survey Research Findings

Sept 2017

Prepared by

Data Source: PG&E’s emerging Technologies Program Report ET14PGE1501 Soil Moisture Sensor Technology – Impact on Water Pumping in Agricultural Crops 2014

715

2127

3132

3673

5206

5344

7429

14922

18097

33163

0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000 35000

Computer Simulation Models 2%

Plant Moisture Sensing Device 5%

Commercial or Governmental Scheduling Service7%

When Neighbors Begin to Irrigate 8%

Reports on Daily crop-water evapotranspiration12%

Schedule by Water Delivery Service 12%

Soil Moisture Sensing Device 17%

Personal Calendar Schedule 34%

Feel of Soil 41%

Condition of Crop 75%

Methods Used in Deciding When to Irrigate

Sept 2017

Prepared by

12,555

9,198

8,061

6,475

5,171

4,403

1,799

0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 12,000 14,000

Investigating improvements not a priority

Cannot finance improvements

Uncertainty about future availability of water

Risk of reduced yield or or poorer crop quality

Improvements will not reduce costs enough to coverinstallation costs

Physical field/crop condition limit systemimprovements

Landlord will not share in cost

Barriers to Making Improvements to Reduce Energy Use or Conserve

Water

Data Source: USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2012 Census of Agriculture, Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey 2013

Sept 2017

Prepared by

Project Key Findings/Results

Do you irrigate as efficiently as you

could, consideringuniformity and time/amount?

Is it important to you to know the

uniformity of your irrigation system?

Have you had your irrigation system

evaluated for uniformity?

Yes

No

92

22 1

113

46

68

Data Source: The Center for Irrigation Technology Report March 2017, Improving Mgmt. of Ag Energy and Water Use

Sept 2017

Prepared by

Project Key Findings/Results

• Difficult to Deploy Equipment

• Low Trust in Technology and Data provided

• Lack of satisfactory performance by some manufacturers/dealers has limited rate of adoption

Sept 2017

Prepared by

Project Key Findings/Results

• Government cost share programspaid for a significant portion of SMS equipment, but are not yet being effectively utilized for scheduling irrigation events

• Technology companies over emphasize water vs. yield ratio’s at the expense of other benefits

• Growers are resistant to initial Cost + Subscription Fee platforms

• Wholesale distribution channels are challenged to be profitable

Sept 2017

Prepared by

Project Findings/Results

Company

Ag

Cont

rolle

rsSo

il M

oist

ure

Wea

ther

Sta

tions

Plan

t Bas

ed S

enso

rsD

ata

Logg

ers

Rem

ote

Mon

itor

ing

Rem

ote

Cont

rol

Das

hboa

rd o

ther

Ser

vice

s

Crop X x x

Dynamax x x x x x

Hortau, Inc. x x x x x x

Irrometer x x x

Jain USA - PureSense x x

Nautilus x x x x

Observant x x

RainBird ClimateMinder x x x x x x

Toro Micro Irrigation x

WiseConn x x x x x x x

On Farm x

Wexus x

Comparison of Product Offerings from Leading Company’s

Developed by Ag H2O

Sept 2017

Prepared by

Barriers/Gaps

Sept 2017

Prepared by

Barriers• Entrenched Cultural practices

• Irrigation scheduling • Growers do not see the value of improving irrigation scheduling.

• Grower often resorts to what has been done in the past

• Cost and return on investment • Poor job being done on demonstrating ROI

• Growers must learn what good distribution uniformity is and how to maintain those levels of their system

• System operators should become proficient in measuring, maintaining, operating and scheduling irrigation to realize full benefits and cost containment

• Education (availability, format, consistency, applicable, practical, English and Spanish, prepared properly for the user/audience……)

Sept 2017

Prepared by

Gaps• More Effective Education

• Appreciation for the value of improving water (energy) use efficiency

• Documenting Return On Investment (ROI)

• Priorities of other farm issues/challenges

• Overall complexity and uncertainty in farming

• Lengthy learning curve to fully utilize Technology

• System operators need to become proficient in measuring, maintaining, operating and scheduling irrigation to realize full benefits and cost containment

Sept 2017

Prepared by

Go

vern

men

t

Aca

dem

ic

Grower

View of TodayWhat Needs to Happen Going Forward

Independent market segment thinking is dependent on bringing those segments together to educate, present value, meet regulations and customer needs to achieve mutual success that is sustainable.

Sept 2017

Prepared by

A First Step in Going Forward