For more than 60 years, Valley center pivot irrigation equipment has earned its reputation as the most trusted brand in the industry. It possesses many benefits to growers (as will be shown below) seeing as this method delivers uniform water application, requires no human labour and can function even with low water pressure. Drip irrigation is a form of irrigation that saves water and fertiliser by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of crops in a field, either onto the soil surface or directly onto the root zone, through a network of valves, pipes, tubing, and emitters. Since 1978, Woofter Construction & Irrigation has specialized in providing services and parts for the commercial construction, irrigation, and agriculture industries. Of course, there is also no need for visual inspections of the equipment when remote irrigation management software is in play. A pivot irrigation system is a mechanized irrigation machine. Cost effective without sacrificing reliability, durability and overall performance. 
*Please check your spam or promotions folder in case the email doesnt arrive. Truss rods and inverted truss supports provide the primary support for strength and stability. At Woofter Construction & Irrigation, we can help you make the call. It is done through narrow tubes that deliver water directly to the base of the plant. Call Woofter Construction & Irrigation today to discuss any questions you have about farm irrigations systems and to see which pivot irrigation system is right for your farm. Drip systems are notorious for the amount of labour it requires to maintain and operate them. This is the compartment responsible for controlling the various components of the drive unit. What makes a Reinke system so special? The design of this system is such that the sprinklers located near the pivot tend to cover a smaller area in comparison to the nozzles located at the end of the pivot. In this section, we look at some of the most common drawbacks associated with the use of the center pivot irrigation system: As we have previously discussed, a center pivot system is reliant on extremely lengthy radial pipes and accompanying sprinklers to cover large sections of farmlands. (402) 359-2201. In a few minutes, please check your email inbox for further instructions. Spray heads mounted on the top of the pipe may experience evaporation and wind drift losses up to 15%. The water source is typically a well pumping up groundwater from an aquifer system. Using wastewater for irrigation wont damage the equipment and there is no need for a farmer to purchase any additional products in order to use alternative water sources.
Deciding which of the many farm irrigation systems to rely on for your irrigation needs is one of the most important decisions youll make as a farmer. Center pivots are easy to operate and very little training is needed to know how to install or move them from field to field. Trusted by more growers than any other brand. Or, they might use a variable zone irrigation technique, varying the application rate along the width of the pivot lateral. It allows the overall machinery to move in the right direction and for specified periods of time. The many Nebraskan center pivot systems irrigate with water pulled from theOgallala Aquifer, an extensive aquifer system that runs underneath parts of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming. In addition to construction projects, commercial concrete, millwright services, and crane rentals, we expertly fill grain storage, grain handling, and irrigation needs throughout the tri-state area - Northwest Kansas, Eastern Colorado, and the Southwest Nebraska Panhandle. The cost of the machinery needed to execute this process is on the higher end of the spectrum, and it can currently only be afforded by farmers with extremely large plots of land. Because center pivots can be remotely monitored and controlled, detecting potential issues they might run into is a stress-free exercise. Based on this information, center pivots systems are mostly used to irrigate larger farms in a region. This is a much more sustainable water use than irrigation systems such as surface irrigation, also known as flood irrigation. eye on the status of his center pivot from anywhere in the world using a remote irrigation program, like FieldNET. TheDust Bowl yearsof the 1930s left farmers in Colorado, Kansas, Texas and the Oklahoma panhandle reeling from the prolonged effects of extended drought and primed for new technology that would prevent it from happening again. Without swing arms or corner systems, water distribution in pivot irrigation systems does not reach the corners of fields. LEPAstands for Low Energy Precision Application. This ultimately saves water while reducing your energy costs and your impact on the environment. Usually, upkeep on a pivot would amount to a maximum of about 2% of the initial cost of the equipment. There are many factors to consider when choosing the right option for your farm. And energy costs arent the only savings. An estimated 55,000 center pivot systems irrigate about 6.7 million acres in Nebraska. As the pipe gradually rotates, the water is uniformly released from the nozzles in order to offer nutrition to the crops. This makes setting up a center pivot system a relatively expensive process. This reduces the amount of water used and saves energy. On average, it is far cheaper to purchase and set up a center pivot on a farm than it is to install a drip irrigation system. It is seen that the efficiency of water application in center pivot irrigation is nearly 80%, and this is far higher than traditional methods. In countries facing serious droughts and water restrictions, this is problematic. Like all irrigation systems, next-gen technology and precision agriculture methods provide new strategies for making center pivot irrigation systems more sustainable and cost-efficient. r(Og!n9?~R1n)66%E.|tC?x eT,z Once set up, the drip system is bound to one particular field and cannot be moved to another field. Center pivot irrigation systems are among the most water-efficient ways to irrigate crops, with anywhere from 85 to 98% water use efficiency. The agriculture industry is one of the largest consumers of water on the planet currently. 28800 Ida St Fill out the quote request form and one of our representatives will be happy to assist!
Only your local Valley dealer can give you the best advice on which irrigation equipment and options are right for you. Variable-rate irrigation technology allows farmers to vary the amount of irrigation water applied to match soil conditions and plant needs. This means that it is difficult to maintain uniformity of irrigation on farms that are either square or circular in shape. OjLSx~nc=5pM!f__z:3vg!f>7IiY39GY*"itZ8yLla4[6Mh6Mh6Mh6Mh6Mh |o&_! In a LEPA system, sprinkler nozzles are mounted close to the ground and water application is emitted at low pressures. Our pivot irrigation systems are low-maintenance, high- quality, and are backed by the Zimmatic by Lindsay warranty. It is possible to utilize the center pivot system to nourish nearly all types of crops. Something went wrong while submitting the form. Subscribe to AGRIVI newsletter. We discuss the specifics of center pivot irrigation in the following article, along with discussing the utility, advantages, and disadvantages of this system. LEPA is used in both center pivot and linear move systems. Its made up of a pivot point, a control panel, drive unit, tower box, span (the long pipes between pivots), and the last regular drive unit. Because center pivot systems operate autonomously, requiring very little labor once set up and are typically long-lasting-a system usually lasts around 20 years with just routine annual maintenance-they are a good investment for larger farm operations. Sprinkler nozzles are installed along the pipeline or hang down from the lateral pipe on smaller pipes or cables. In ideal conditions, a well-designed center pivot system can have a water efficiency rate of 85 to 95%, making them more efficient than sprinkler irrigation and flood irrigation systems. It usually consists of wheels, a base beam, a drive train, and other important structural supports. Farmers can hitch their tractor to the end tower and move the pivot between fields. This means less water is wasted compared to other methods of irrigation. History of Center Pivot Irrigation Systems, The Dust Bowl and Center Pivot Irrigation Systems, Center Pivot Irrigation System Adaptions and Improvements, The Pros of Center Pivot Irrigation Systems, The Cons of Center Pivot Irrigation Systems, Next-Gen Technology for Center Pivot Irrigation Systems, Farm Management Software and Irrigation Management, mechanized, pressurized water irrigation method, boasts the most center pivot irrigation systems, Zybach Self-Propelled Sprinkling Apparatus,, Water Sustainability: How to Grow Your Farm and Take Care of The Environment, Product Recall: A Step by Step Management Guide for Farmers and Food Companies, The Key to Improving Agricultural Productivity is Efficient Farm Management. These products include durable center pivots. They can deliver irrigation water up to 120 feet out from the outer end of the pivot machine. Typically, drip irrigation is a good irrigation option in small or irregularly shaped fields. However, the explosion in center pivot irrigation systems using groundwater pumped from aquifer systems has been blamed for causing critical aquifer depletion in many prime agricultural regions. Keep up to date with the latest on Pinduoduo, Agricultural E-Commerce Boosts Incomes For Cherry Farmers, Creates Jobs, Pinduoduo Overview: How We Are Making Agriculture More Inclusive And Beneficial For All, How Pinduoduo Is Helping Farmers To Revamp Agriculture, Pinduoduo Smart Agriculture Competition: Designing A Sustainable Future For Agriculture, Pinduoduo Wins ESG Initiative Of The Year At The 17th Retail Asia Awards. It's why Valley center pivots last longer, perform better and command the highest resale value in the industry. A center pivot irrigation system, for example, is an irrigation system that irrigates the field in a circle around a pivot point. They can even be used across rolling terrain, making center pivot systems accessible for many agricultural regions. Water is delivered to plants on a regular basis, and you determine how much and how often plants are watered. Pivot irrigation uses low-pressure application. Engineered to absorb stress that would normally be transferred to the pipeline, our tower design maximizes system life and reduces component fatigue which means less wear and tear on the system, and less maintenance and ownership costs for you. In this piece, we give a brief overview of the two methods and highlight why center pivot irrigation should be your first choice when it comes to deciding how you want to irrigate your fields. Farmers may use variable speed, changing how quickly a pivot moves through a field and staying in sections that need more water for more extended periods. Both of these methods are superior because they offer more than 90% water efficiency. These irrigation specialists can assist you in determining what the needs of your field is and how a Zimmatic pivot can improve your irrigation operation. All rights reserved. Research has revealed that a pivot system is one of the most efficient methods of irrigating farmlands. Center-pivot irrigation system from seen from the air. Before the rise of center pivot irrigation, farmers in the Great Plains region dry-land farmed. By using the latest technology in pivot monitoring and control, a farmer can keep an. This is the part of the machinery that touches the ground and it contains the accompanying hardware that allows for the movement of the system. With drip irrigation systems, you probably have to pay someone to remove it from your field if you want to get rid of it! Maximize your investment with durable irrigation products designed to fit your needs. LEPA systems are helpful in high-wind areas prone to evaporation.However, LEPA systems contribute more runoff, and because the water application may be below the crop canopy, a LEPA system may damage the crop. But while the U.S. is the largest user of center pivot irrigation systems, the technology is spreading across the planet. Though regular rainfall returned in 1939, farmers didnt forget the Dust Bowl years. Pivot irrigation systems allow water to be delivered to crops in a targeted way. It consists of a radial pipe supported by towers that pivot around a central point. The freshwater resources across our planet are waning quickly, and this comes down to the excessive use of this resource by the agricultural sector. Along the radial pipe, nozzles are spaced to ensure optimal efficiency and coverage. Before motorized well pumps, water was drawn out of shallow wells pumped by hand or run by windmills. Almost all crops are appropriate for pivot irrigation systems, including corn, soybeans, small grains, alfalfa, potatoes and vegetable crops. Pivots are relatively easy to set up and their installation is standard practice. These pivots are robust and durable. Over time, many different irrigation methods have been developed by growers to meet the unique needs of their fields. There are additional types of pivots including the corner pivot irrigation system and the geolateral pivot irrigation system. One such alternative to emerge in recent times is center pivot irrigation. Variable-rate technology works in conjunction with satellite or drone imagery, soil moisture sensors or weather data stations, and GPS technology, telling the pivot at what point and in what quantities to irrigate. Woofter sells both new and used farm irrigation systems to allow for budget-friendly options. The advantage of automating this element of farming is enormous and it helps save farmers a lot of time and effort. You need to consider the type of crop youre planting, fuel cost and availability in your area, the initial cost of setting up your system, labor requirements, the size and shape of your land, and your water source. 0+ Installing a pivot irrigation system also reduces the cost of labor since time spent working in the field is decreased. Pivots, especially galvanised ones like the ones Zimmatic produces, last for many years. They relied upon natural rainfall to provide enough moisture for their crop production. Trust the market leader in center pivot irrigation. Most of the modern center pivot machines have an expected life span of at least 20 years as well, which means the farmers will have to invest in the large scale machinery only once every couple of decades. Another potential issue is that drip irrigation pipes and tubes are buried underground.
Installing a pivot irrigation system has many benefits. This kind of irrigation system is ideal for average- and large-sized fields. Center pivot systems are easily adapted to chemigation or fertigation, giving farmers a cost-effective and uniform way to apply crop inputs such as fertilizer or pesticides. A pivot system consists of a lateral, stainless steel pipeline mounted across adjacent, mobile truss structures that support the pipe. Corner systems are added to a center pivot system to increase the irrigated acreage in the corners of fields and other non-symmetrical regions that the traditional pivot circle misses. Perhaps one of the biggest advantages of center pivots is that they can be run with wastewater. Everything can be managed right from the palm of your hand. 0+ Center pivots, on the other hand, require less in terms of labour. Diagram of a center pivot irrigation system. Oops! Although this industry is responsible for feeding our population, it is inadvertently starving our planet. Center pivot irrigation is a mechanized irrigation system which irrigates crops in a circular pattern around a central pivot. There are numerous improvements and adaptions to the traditional center pivot design that growers may want to consider with their center pivot irrigation system. The center pivot irrigation system is the most common. The original and most used style of pivot irrigation applies water in a circular pattern, pivoting around a central point in the middle of the field. This is an enormous volume and it boils down to the fact that traditional methods of irrigation are unable to make the best use of this vital resource. To learn more about cookies and how you can change your settings, please read our. Top-of-the-line center pivots for long, durable life. 0+ So by the time Zybach invented the center pivot irrigation system, Midwest farmers wereprimed to adopt a strategythat essentially guaranteed they could mitigate the effects of drought. );t9m6G`s9m6~=QGM5=kz~YG_~55^_*z:E+ The radial pipe itself consists of equally spaced nozzles in order to supply water to the surrounding crops. We base our opinion on three main considerations: (1) initial investment cost, (2) labour requirements and (3) peace of mind. Center pivot irrigation refers to the use of a mechanised irrigation system that can help to irrigate crops by maintaining a circular pattern around a central pivot. The 6" sand trap and control box, for the optional booster pump, are located near the tower for ease of servicing. 2022 Woofter Construction & Irrigation All Rights Reserved.Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Cookie Policy, pivot irrigation system has many benefits. Theinitial cost of a pivot systemcan be substantial, running close to $80,000 for a standard 160-acre system, including power and water source. Built from high strength materials, a Reinke system weighs less resulting in less stress on the drive train. You can withdraw your consent at any time. And while center pivot irrigation systems are more commonly associated with large-scale farmers, the technology is even finding purchase amongstsmallholder farms in Africannations through cooperative shared systems. A span in a center pivot system is the long pipe between drive units (trusses) that support the span. Thus it makes sense for farmers growing multiple types of crops across the year to rely on this system of irrigation. Lateral move irrigation systems are also more labor-intensive through the growing season than traditional center pivot systems. It is estimated that nearly 70% of all freshwater withdrawals are being utilized for the purpose of agriculture. They also require a certain amount of skill on the part of the person who will be tending to the system, meaning that sometimes, a farmer would have to go for training or enlist the help of a specialist to operate their drip systems. Of course, the future value of the equipment must also be taken into consideration. If a problem needs to be detected or fixed, it can be time-consuming and expensive to dig the system up and rectify the situation. Farm management software like AGRIVI helps farmers better manage the sustainability of any type of irrigation system and assess the economic trade-off between installing a center pivot versus other irrigation systems such as flood irrigation,sprinklersordrip and micro-irrigation. It helps to prevent water runoff and ensures that the water bills incurred by farmers is greatly reduced. Valley, NE 68064 USA The semi-automatic nature of this mechanism, coupled with the lateral movement of the sprinklers makes managing water levels easier for farmers. As the center pivot system allows farmers to execute on various farming practices with a single machine, it greatly reduces the dependency on labor across the harvest season. The Last regular drive unit, or as it's commonly called LRDU, is the final tower located at the end of the regular pivot. Zimmatic, a product of Lindsay Africa, produces industry-leading irrigation equipment. Alateral move irrigation machineis similar to a traditional center pivot system. Before the rise of center pivot irrigation, farmers in the Great Plains relied on natural rainfall to provide enough moisture for their crop production. By clicking OK, you consent to the use of cookies. However, a lateral move machine moves in a straight parallel line rather than a pivot, allowing for better coverage in a square or rectangular-shaped field. Ho0W#~c$R&)6=uP@UVQdw}?3VB3 fvb ReKO2Sppl+=(>oYP">5"Kvn !\_Wn2l5]. First we need to understand how these two methods work AND how they differ from one another. Maintaining this system does not come cheap either, and it will require timely inspections by professionals to ensure that the uniformity of the process is maintained. Although they were initially run off water, todays center pivot systems aretypically poweredby electricity from a public source or a generator. This reduces the cost of ownership over the life of the system. Controls are things like starting, stopping, and changing direction. Additionally, this method of irrigation is also known to be far more efficient when it comes to the utilization of water. Nebraska, thenumber three ranked U.S. statefor agricultural receipts, is the largest irrigator in the U.S. andboasts the most center pivot irrigation systems. This is the area where the water first enters the pivot pipes. This modern method of irrigation utilizes the following components in order to effectively water the fields: The pivot system of this mechanism revolves around a central pivot point. The booster pump itself is located at the end gun for maximum efficiency. Originally called the Zybach Self-Propelled Sprinkling Apparatus,Zybach applied for a patent in 1949. Longest available machine and span lengths, Our highest-performing, most reliable center pivot. Valley structures are proven to stand up to the toughest loads produced by rough terrain, deep furrows and long-span machines. Although some basic automation technology does exist for drip irrigation, it is largely a manual practice. An end gun is a large sprinkler installed at the end of a pivot. The control panel houses the hardware thats attached to the central pivot point and it enables the farmers to operate the machinery. End gun systemsare a lower-cost alternative to a corner system. We will get back to you as soon as possible. Remote irrigation software will alert a grower of any problems immediately, so there is no need to spend time searching for the issue. Each span consists of many crucial components such as the water main line, sprinklers, and set of supporting trusses in order to manage the weight between the two towers. So exactly what is a pivot? The pivot systems quickly rose in popularity. What really sets a center pivot apart is that it does not require any human labour in order to function. You may unsubscribe at any time. What is a Center Pivot Irrigation System? Find your dealer today! Modern center pivot irrigation systems also come with a timer feature that allows farmers to apply water in their farms at any time of the day or night. AGRIVI and our farm-specific consultations can help. Without the use of irrigation, crop production would be limited making it a challenge to meet the needs of a growing population. However, its not the only option. For farmers who come from a long line of growers and who plan to leave their farm to their children, buying a center pivot is a long-term investment. Farmers can pick up basic or advanced digital panels based on the budget and requirement. Motorized pumps allowed wells to be dug deeper and much more water to be pumped out at greater and faster volumes.Rapid expansionof motorized pumped groundwater wells happened around 1945, especially in areas located over aquifers with appropriate agricultural soils. A corner system, also called corner catchers or swing spans, is an additional tower and pipe typically installed on the last tower of a pivot span. Today, about 29% of all irrigated land in the U.S. is irrigated using center pivot technology,according to the USDA.Between just 1986 and 1996, U.S. center pivot irrigation land increased by more than 50%. These programs give growers the ability to control their pivots remotely, meaning that they do not need to dispatch a team of workers to the equipment to turn it on or to check on its progress. There are, however, two superior methods, namely drip irrigation and center pivot irrigation. Fuel and electrical costs are also a consideration in pivot operation. In fact, pivots tend to last more than 25 years, whereas drip systems are expected to only be functional for 10 - 15 years. Flow rates and gallons per minute (GPM) can easily be adjusted in a center pivot system and pressure regulators can be utilized to create either a high-flow or low-flow system depending on water use needs. By using the radial pipe system of center pivot irrigation, water is made to travel along a straight line down the field. Like the center pivot, the corner pivot offers uniform application but reaches those hard-to-get areas of a field. Orchards and vines are also adaptable to center pivot systems. Seeing as the tubes that deliver the water are either placed underground or directly on the surface of the soil, there is basically no chance of water evaporation. This helps to greatly boost the uniformity of the water being applied to the crops. Your submission has been received! The Dust Bowl lasted a decade and had a profound economic impact, devastating rural midwestern communities and making useless approximately 35 million acres of former farmland. If you want to make the shift from drip irrigation to center pivot irrigation, locate your nearest dealer on our website by clicking here. Ready for better and more sustainable management of your center pivot irrigation system? The frequent irrigation schedule of a pivot system creates moist and humid conditions, which may encourage fungal diseases, especially near the tower closest to the pivot base. The following are some of the major advantages of a center pivot irrigation system: The manner in which a center pivot system is designed helps in the uniform application of water across large sections of farmlands. However, because they require labor to tow them around, they may not be practical in arid areas requiring intensive irrigation. Water runs along the span and sprinklers are attached to it. And depending on your field type, there are several different types of machine designs. Drip irrigation systems also require that growers walk an entire field to monitor the status of the system, flush filters and maintain tubes. The 9500P Center Pivot is the most robust pivot in the Zimmatic product range. The geolateral pivot is designed for underutilized and irregularly shaped fields. Additionally, using this system also makes it easier for farmers to manage the water levels in their soil. A center-pivot irrigation system is a mechanized, pressurized water irrigation method. Using a guidance system which directs the tower where to go, the corner system follows behind the main pivot span. We are committed to your privacy. These are the long pipes used to connect various drive units. Available with industry-best Valley gearbox or lower-priced VS-7000 gearbox. Motors are installed at the top of each tower. The best way to counter this issue is to apply modern methods of irrigation such as center pivot irrigation across all farmlands on the planet. This helps to conserve enormous amounts of energy in the long run. Our unique single-leg tower is the best in the industry. The use of technology such as center pivot irrigation systems help to reduce the stress on farmers caused by the inconsistency in the availability of labor. Reinke offers a selection of 5 different types of water pipes, along with several different span lengths and diameters for every custom water application condition. That demand, combined with new technological advances that make central pivot systems more water and energy-efficient, adaptable, affordable, and easy to use, is driving adoption. This includes fruit trees, vegetables, and arable crops. Growers can also rest assured that their pivots will complete an irrigation cycle with very little human intervention needed.