AG TECH NO LOG IE S
S UMME R 2015
PRECISION AG U P DATE WATER WISE One of the most critical ongoing issues facing growers today is water and its availability, cost and legislation. The largest demand for the world's water comes from agriculture. More than two-thirds of the water withdrawn from the earth's rivers, lakes and aquifers is used for irrigation. Water also is becoming an increasingly scarce resource, and there is a constant demand to do more with less. For example, legislation passed in Georgia in 2014 addresses irrigation efficiencies by requiring that all agricultural withdrawal permits in the Flint River Basin using overhead irrigation achieve irrigation application efficiencies of at least 80 percent by 2020. Mobile irrigation systems and solid-set irrigation sprinklers would be required to achieve 60 percent efficiency. Supply and demand economics means that farmers across the nation may be faced with legislation affecting rising water costs. But new advances in technology are providing growers with ways to better apply and use water on the farm. Something as simple as a yield map can readily show the changes in yield that result from various water patterns in a single field. For example, bright green circles within a field can pinpoint leaks in a center pivot. By studying the rate of irrigation as it applies to crop production, famers can determine if it would be economically beneficial to irrigate at a higher rate. Of course, even with correct amounts of fertilizer and micronutrients, if there is not enough water, or the right amount of water at the right time, farmers won’t optimize their yields. Growers using a conventional pivot to irrigate a field are watering the entire field – the wet areas, the dry areas, and the non-farmed areas. In an example cited by George Vellidis, University of Georgia crop and soil sciences professor and head of the Vellidis Research Group at UGA, a southwest Georgia field that was 282 acres in size had a non-farmed area of 84 acres, or 37 percent of the irrigated area. “Doing some simple math, 84 acres multiplied by $11 per acre inch – which is UGA’s estimated cost for average irrigation – we come up with $924 for every inch of irrigation that is wasted because it’s being applied on areas that are not farmed,” he said. “Taken over an entire year, which would be an average of about 11 inches in South Georgia, and the total would be almost $10,000 that is spent to irrigate areas that are not farmed.” Fortunately, there’s no reason for farmers to continue doing this. Variable-rate irrigation (VRI) provides the technology to change the rate of water application throughout a field according to need. “If you want to choose an application rate that’s 50 percent of normal, then you cycle the sprayers on and off, 30 seconds on and 30 seconds off,” Vellidis said. “You can make things more complicated by including the speed of the pivot in the equation. That same 282-acre field used in the example is now equipped with a variable-rate irrigation system that’s only an “on” and “off” system, and the farmer is getting an approximately 37 percent savings on the pivot in that field.”
With 70 percent of fresh water worldwide used for agriculture, being able to better manage how it’s used will have a huge impact on the world’s fresh water supply, as well as each individual grower’s bottom line.
Ag Technologies provides solutions that can help you manage your water usage to maximize yields and profits, while also complying with the latest water regulations in your area. Call your regional representative today to set up an appointment to explore your options.
TEAM MEMBER
IRRIGATION CONTROL
Ernest Cook
Like most farmers today, we know you are looking to save on costs, including irrigation. AgTech can help you upgrade your irrigation needs over time with a plan and a product to meet almost any need. No matter the state of irrigation we can get you up to speed.
EXPERIENCE
Do you have just a basic panel? No problem. Is your well not connected to the panel? Not an issue. Low spots in your field? We can take care of that. Is your water being wasted on non-productive issues? We have a solution. Do you still have to go shut your well off at the end of the watering cycle? Let us help.
SPOTLIGHT Central Georgia Sales Rep. Cordele, Georgia This October will mark my fifth anniversary with Ag Technologies. Prior to this, I worked at Reliable Tractor for 15 years as a parts man and salesman.
BEST THING ABOUT THE JOB The most satisfying thing about my job is being able to make lasting friends and relationships, whether it be with growers or co-workers.
FAMILY
I am the proud father of a 17-year-old-son, Kyle.
SPARE TIME
I enjoy hunting, snow skiing, and watching my son play baseball and football.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE AGRICULTURE FOR A CAREER?
I grew up in an ag-based community, and either you learn the ag business or you move away. It has been a way of life since I was a little boy, from driving my uncle’s tractors when I was 10 to picking watermelons in my teen years during the summer to pay for my school clothes.
SPECIALISTS
Take steps now to improve your water usage. You’ve trusted us with your tractor control, now trust us with your irrigation control decisions. We’re here. We’re respected.
Meet the Pros
The specialist for our irrigation division is Tyler Wells. Tyler is a graduate of South Ga Technical College in Industrial Electrical Technology with a specialization in electrical controls and has five years of experience as a service technician at a local irrigation dealer. His experience and knowledge, paired with good old-fashioned values and work ethic, make him a very valuable part of the team at Ag Technologies.
Jordan Sapp has a broad skill set that stems from welding/fabricating and industrial maintenance to residential electrical and HVAC. This unique experience enables him to really help "tote the load" every day at Ag Technologies.
AG TECHNOLOGIES IS NOW OFFERING
CYCLE STOP VALVE
Cycle Stop Valve is an automatic pump control method that automattically delivers water when a tap is opened, and automatically stops the pump after all taps are closed. The function of a Cycle Stop Valve (CSV) is to: • Provide variable flow and constant pressure control superior to VFD systems. • Replace large pressure tanks and water towers. • Provide minimum flow required to cool the pump and/or motor. • Provide minimum flow to replenish the pressure tank when needed. • Eliminate transient pressure waves and water hammer, stop line breaks
REGIONAL SALES
REPRESENTATIVES Central Georgia ERNEST COOK 855. 601.4477
IRRIGATION SOLUTIONS
Thinking about adding remote capabilities and want an easy-to-use, affordable system? Ag Technologies has what you’re looking for. Ease into irrigation technology with Ag View. Developed by Ag Technologies, AgView Irrigate provides a way for you to control pivots remotely, trying out the freedom and efficiency of new technology without replacing otherwise working equipment. AgView Irrigate can monitor and control a center-pivot irrigation system – whether it’s Valley, Zimmatic or Reinke -- using the existing hardware and panel. As with other systems, you can log in from your smart phone, tablet or laptop to turn on irrigation equipment or check on the progress of the irrigation. With AgView, you can turn equipment on and off, get a warning if the system encounters any trouble and even get a text when the cycle is complete. You can even collect information that you may have missed before about how the pivot is running.
Territory Manager Southwest Georgia, Southeast Alabama & North Florida ROBBIE TABB 855.602.4477
South Georgia & North Florida MARTY SAYLOR 855.603.4477
East Georgia
JESSE NEIDLINGER 855.604.4477
Central & South Florida
AgView Pump works seamlessly with AgView Irrigate, or as a stand-alone product, to turn the pump on and off with one control. • Replace control wire between pivot and well • Works with water supply switch in panel (if equipped) • Compatible with many remote control systems • Multiple pivot to single well support • No subscription
KEN LODGE 855.605.4477
South Carolina DARREN ATKINS 803.206.0935
Upgrade to Trimble Irrigate-IQ™ for zone control • Draw polygons or use an EC soil map to create your irrigation plan • Create and manage variable rate irrigation plans so you can apply the right amount in the right place • Perform accurate, targeted application at any point along your irrigation system’s path • Apply exactly where you want to with Irrigate-IQ’s individual valve control that signals valves to turn on and off to correspond with varying depths • Manage exclusion zones to ensure water, fertigation, chemigation or effluent is not applied in areas that don’t need it • Ensure optimal application outside of the pivot circle utilizing corner arm control with variable rate irrigation plans
Irrigate-IQ
Contact your local rep for an irrigation consultation today.
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It is our mission at Ag Technologies to provide progressive-minded customers a complete solution of precision agriculture with superior products and a professional staff to help inspire, educate and provide first class service and support.
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CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT
Jarrell Sapp, Sapp Brothers Farms Mitchell County, GA The Sapp brothers, Jarrell and Glenn, grew up in the farming life. Their father, Joe, farmed all of his life as well, starting the operation now known as Sapp Brothers Farms with his wife, Susan, more than 30 years ago in Mitchell County, Georgia. Today, the family has grown to include Jarrell’s wife, Holli, and children Baley, age 10, Jhett, age 9, and Sallie, age 3, as well as Glenn’s wife, Elandra, and their daughter, Sonni, age 11, and son, Reed, age 9. The family farms 3,800 acres of cotton and peanuts. “It’s all we’ve ever done,” says Jarrell, age 36. “And we love it. With this life, I am my own boss, and there is a lot of satisfaction in just doing what needs doing every day--we spray what needs spraying, we fertilize what needs fertilizing, we harvest what needs harvesting. Farming can be a challenging, stressful life, but it’s a rewarding life, too. We follow the rhythm of the seasons and have some down times to just relax and enjoy life.” While Jarrell loves everything about being a farmer, the biggest challenge he faces is the lack of reliable labor. This is one area where new technology has been a big help.
The next generation of Sapp Brothers Farms, cousins Reed (left) and Jhett (right) Sapp.
“With auto steer, my two retired uncles are able to help out when needed on the farm. Things that might otherwise be too physically challenging for them are possible, and that has helped tremendously.” Ag Tech customers for 10 years, the Sapps started out with just two auto steer systems. “With auto steer we saw 40% more production with reduced labor,” Jarrell says. Through the years they have added more than 10 FMX displays and this year added three AgView Irrigate systems. They are seeing lots of potential for time and cost savings with the new additions. “Before, irrigation took one person 8 or 9 hours a day just to check the pivots when all of them were running. With the new system, we can check an app on our phone in five minutes and go immediately to any problems we see. We can plan our day from the office and know that this will help us out a lot.”