Trimble News
Trimble (NASDAQ:TRMB) introduced today its Irrigate-IQ™ optimal flow solution. This industry-first technology enables growers without a variable frequency drive irrigation pump to focus their irrigation efforts onto areas of their fields that produce the best return on investment.
Irrigate-IQ optimal flow enables growers who have standard irrigation pump equipment to incorporate no spray areas within their irrigation plan. By utilizing no spray areas, growers concentrate their irrigation efforts in portions of their field that are highest producing, which can lead to maximized yield. This is especially valuable in regions with water restrictions or limited water resources.
Growers without a variable frequency drive pump are typically unable to use no spray areas in their irrigation plans without risking damage to their equipment due to significant pressure changes. As a result, these growers have been unable to optimize water resources across their fields to improve crop quality and yield.
With its unique technology, Irrigate-IQ optimal flow utilizes standard pump equipment to keep water pressure regulated across the entire pivot, even when operating in no spray areas. The system allows the pivot to operate within a defined pressure range, even as the water table reduces throughout the growing season and less water is available, or if a well goes out. This reduces the risk for equipment damage.
"We are excited to be the first in the industry to enable growers without a variable frequency drive to begin enjoying the benefits of using no spray areas," said David Fitzpatrick, Water Solutions business area director of Trimble's Agriculture Division. "Many growers farm in areas with water restrictions or limited water resources. With Irrigate-IQ optimal flow, these growers can move water to the highest producing areas of their fields without making a substantial investment in a variable frequency drive pump. This means growers can maximize their yields with minimal investment."
"In west Texas we never have enough water, and the irrigation experts here have found that between 15 and 30 percent of all acres under a pivot are what I like to call 'bad dirt.' These areas do not produce high yields no matter the inputs," said Jerry Brightbill, owner of South Plains Precision Ag, a Trimble reseller who sells the Irrigate-IQ solution. "Over the last several years we spent between $125 and $175 per acre on irrigation in west Texas, which means we lost money on every gallon we put on bad dirt. With Irrigate-IQ optimal flow we can apply water directly on areas of the field that will produce the highest yield. As a result, I believe this technology can transform the way we irrigate in the future."
About Irrigate-IQ
The Irrigate-IQ precision irrigation solution is flexible and scalable, allowing farmers to begin with basic remote monitoring and control of their pivots via the Internet, and then easily upgrade to optimal flow or variable rate irrigation (VRI) as their needs evolve. The solution can be installed on most pivot makes and models regardless of manufacturer or panel type, such as basic or smart panels. It also includes reports about where water or fertilizer has been applied.
Availability
Irrigate-IQ optimal flow is currently available worldwide. To learn more about Trimble's Irrigate-IQ solution, visit: http://www.trimble.com/Agriculture/irrigate-iq.aspx.
About Trimble's Agriculture Division
Trimble Agriculture solutions enable customers to maximize efficiency and reduce chemical and fertilizer inputs while also protecting natural resources and the environment. Trimble's precision agriculture solutions cover all seasons, crops, terrains, and farm sizes, and its brand-agnostic strategy allows farmers to use Trimble products on most vehicles in their fleet—regardless of manufacturer. To enable better decision making, Trimble offers the Connected Farm™ solution which allows farmers to collect, share, and manage information across their farm in real time. To optimize water use, Trimble provides water solutions for irrigation, drainage, and land leveling. Trimble's product suite includes vehicle and implement guidance and steering, as well as a portfolio of correction options that are the most versatile of their kind in the industry. Additional solutions include an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for aerial imaging and mapping; application control for seed, liquid, and granular products; a harvest solution; and farm management software.
For more information on Trimble Agriculture,visit: www.trimble.com/agriculture.
About Trimble
Trimble applies technology to make field and mobile workers in businesses and government significantly more productive. Solutions are focused on applications requiring position or location—including surveying, construction, agriculture, fleet and asset management, public safety and mapping. In addition to utilizing positioning technologies, such as GPS, lasers and optics, Trimble solutions may include software content specific to the needs of the user. Wireless technologies are utilized to deliver the solution to the user and to ensure a tight coupling of the field and the back office. Founded in 1978, Trimble is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif.
Source : Trimble