Michigan Valley Irrigation has been leading the way in developing irrigated acres in Michigan for over three decades. Yet it feels like we have only scratched the surface. With developing technologies and an ever-growing demand for more food from fewer acres, we must continue to evolve and adapt to serve the needs of our customers and their markets…
Markets across many agricultural products have been challenging over the past few years. Have you been too busy farming to take the time to manage? In my 38 years being involved in the business of agriculture, from several vantage points, I have noticed that brainpower beats horsepower nearly every time. Often, we are so busy working in our business, we never find time to work on our business.
Organic crop production has seen significant growth in Michigan in recent years. This appears to be driven by consumer demand for both direct consumption of organic crops as well as livestock that consume organic feed. This trend has encouraged many growers to evaluate both what the consumer elects to purchase and the impact that farming practices have on our soil and water resources.
Most any successful business that operates in a capitalist economy, searches for ways to increase efficiency and improve their bottom line. I like to think of an injection pump as a way to increase the value of a center pivot. If you are applying fertilizer, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides or any of the above, you may be able to utilize your center pivot as an applicator.
Now that we have improved efficiency with our sprinklers and are often applying fertilizer and chemicals through our pivots, efficiency and accuracy of application are more important. The one drawback to the primary end gun at the end of the pivot is that about 80% of the water is being delivered to the last 20% of the coverage zone. How can we improve on that? Enter the auxiliary end gun.
Center pivot irrigation should be considered an investment in your real estate. With lifetimes of forty years or more, for quality pivot systems, it really is more like a building or storage structure than equipment. History has shown that center pivot irrigation systems may add value to your real estate, nearly dollar for dollar including wells and buried pipe and wire…
Alfalfa, hay, and mixed species pasture crops have a very high demand for water. If you could achieve 1st cutting yield on subsequent cuttings (Generally 30 – 60% of annual yield), would that peak your interest? The following information tries to give you a snapshot of what your hay and pastures need, compared to what mother nature provides. While these crops are a bit more difficult to measure, without a yield monitor, perhaps you should make the effort.
Corn requires more water than many other crops to stay cool and produce a bountiful yield. The important part of this equation is when the peak demand is needed relative to when Michigan gets its rainfall. While soil types with various water holding capacities can play a big role in plant available water, the following chart is designed to encourage you look at your farm and specific fields.
