FRESNO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As water issues put a spotlight on California’s alfalfa production, hundreds of growers and dairy farmers are expected to gather in Long Beach, CA, to share the forage industry’s best practices for efficient irrigation at the Alfalfa Subsurface Drip Irrigation Workshop on December 12, 2014.
Presented in partnership with Netafim USA and the University of California, Davis’ College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, the Alfalfa Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI) workshop will cap the three-day 2014 California Alfalfa and Grains Symposium, and provide a unique opportunity for industry professionals and growers to learn about new research developments, SDI technology as well as advances in crop management techniques and tools as it relates to California’s highest acreage crop.
“As the cost of feed continues to rise for California’s growers, the ripple effect of decreasing water availability will be felt across the globe as dairy farmer costs increase and consumers pay more for their food,” said Ze’ev Barylka, Marketing Director for Netafim USA. “The future of California’s robust forage and dairy industry depends on the ability of growers to employ more efficient production methods by utilizing advanced technologies and tools such as subsurface drip irrigation.”
Moderated by Dan Putnam, PhD., UC Davis agronomist and forage specialist, the workshop will feature an expert panel of university and industry professionals providing insights and perspectives on critical issues related to subsurface drip irrigation use in alfalfa.
“As prolonged drought conditions threaten the future of crop production in California, growers are increasingly concerned about the profitability of the crop and water management” said Putnam. “SDI is still in its infancy in alfalfa. In this workshop, we will provide answers to many of the pressing questions that growers have in regards to utilizing technologies such as SDI to maintain productivity with limited water supplies.”
The workshop will cover a range of topics including recent research findings, the principles of drip irrigation success, integrated rodent management strategies, design principles and economic analysis, soil properties, alfalfa crop water requirements and principles of irrigation scheduling. Scheduled to present at the workshop are:
- Dan Putnam, PhD., Agronomist and Forage Specialist, UC Davis
- Bob Hutmacher, UC Agronomy Specialist, West Side Research and Extension Center
- Eduardo Currea, Ag Water Chemicals
- Daniele Zaccharia, Irrigation Specialist, UC Davis
- Khaled Bali, UCCE Farm Advisor - Imperial County
- Dennis Hannaford, Todd Rinkenberger, and Pat Fernandes, Netafim USA
The event will conclude with shared experiences from a geographically diverse group of growers that are currently utilizing subsurface drip irrigation in their alfalfa crop production, including:
- John Summers, ACX Pacific/ International Ag Management, California/Arizona
- Russell Schafer, Wegis & Young, Buttonwillow, CA
- Nico Slabber, Lone Oak Dairy, Hanford, CA
- Richie Gunter, E & J Farms, Woodland, CA
“We are excited to work with UC Davis to facilitate this workshop for the dairy and forage industry. We are confident that farmers new to drip irrigation technology will find value in being able to learn from the experiences of those growers that have adopted innovative crop and irrigation management technologies,” added Barylka.
Registration for the December 12th Alfalfa Subsurface Drip Irrigation Workshop is available online at http://ucanr.edu/sites/Alfalfa/. The $10 registration fee includes lunch.
For more information on Netafim’s industry leading drip irrigation solutions, please visit www.netafimusa.com.
ABOUT NETAFIM USA
Netafim USA, based in Fresno, Calif., is the world’s leading developer and manufacturer of drip irrigation systems for agriculture, landscape & turf, greenhouse & nursery, mining and wastewater. Netafim offers an extensive range of irrigation solutions including driplines, filters, sprinklers, valves, water meters and automation equipment for complete dripline system installations. For more information go to www.netafimusa.com.
