EDITORIAL MESSAGE


We’ve got your back O


ne of my favorite movies is “The Blind Side.” It is the true story of homeless teen Michael Oher whose life journey takes him to the National Football League with the help of a generous family who adopts him. A


common theme throughout the movie is the importance of having each other’s back — whether it relates to taking care of another family member or guarding the quarterback as an offensive lineman.


This thought ran through my mind recently as I attended the 2019 Irrigation Show and Education Week in Las Vegas. This annual event showcases the latest irrigation technologies and services and offers the best and most comprehensive education program in the industry.


One of the most popular features at the show is the new product contest. Irrigation innovators have the opportunity to enter products and technologies that are new to the market in the last year. The competition is fierce, and this year’s contest featured over 50 new products in five different categories, including ag and landscape irrigation, specialty and lighting. The winning agricultural products are featured on p. 33.


While walking the show floor and listening to new product presentations, it was very evident to me that the industry has your back when it comes to working to find better, more efficient, easier-to-use, higher-functioning products and technologies for your operation.


“T“The indust whe


when i it be


s ry has your back t comes to working to find


better, more efficient, easier-to- use, higher-functioning products and technologies.”


If you have comments, suggestions or an idea for what you would like to see covered in a future issue, please feel free to contact me at anneblankenbiller@irrigation.org.


The irrigation resource for today’s growers


Published by: Irrigation Association 8280 Willow Oaks Corporate Dr. Suite 400 Fairfax, VA 22031-4511 USA Tel 703.536.7080 Fax 703.536.7019 info@irrigationtoday.org www.irrigationtoday.org


Publisher Deborah M. Hamlin, CAE, FASAE


Associate Publisher Trisha Klaus


Editor-in-Chief Anne Blankenbiller anneblankenbiller@ irrigation.org


Technical Advisor Brent Q. Mecham, CID, CLWM, CIC, CLIA, CAIS


Creative Sean Burris


Account Managers Eric Anderson eric.anderson@bock-assoc.com


Tom Schoen tom.schoen@bock-assoc.com


Alan Scott alanscott@irrigation.org


For specific information about account manager sales territories, please see pg. 38.


Editorial Committee Chair Bill S. Thornton Watertronics


Editorial Committee Jonathan Aguilar, PhD, PE Kansas State University


Julie Bushell Paige Electric – Ag


Charles Hillyer, PhD Center for Irrigation Technology, Fresno State University


4 Irrigation TODAY | Winter 2020


Diann Ilkenhons Vice Chair Senninger Irrigation Inc.


Jacob Knipp Reinke Manufacturing Co. Inc.


Michael A. Noftle, CAIS, CID Ideal Design Solutions LLC


Karin Novotny Rivulis Irrigation


Jim Phene Epiphene Inc.


Contributors Brent Campbell, PE John Farner Cory Gilbert Dave Goorahoo, PhD Charles Hillyer, PhD Christopher Lund Brent Mecham, CID, CLWM, CIC, CLIA, CAIS


Mark Monsen Ken Sudduth, PhD David Zoldoske, EdD


This sentiment is echoed in this month’s Voices from the industry (p. 28) co-written by the new director of the Center for Irrigation Technology, Charles Hillyer, PhD, and the former CIT director, David Zoldoske, EdD. The CIT is celebrating 40 years of research and testing irrigation products in an effort to improve water-use efficiency for growers.


Although there are many circumstances in agriculture that are uncontrollable, one thing you can count on is that there are many people in the irrigation industry who are working to provide technology and products to help you manage your water and energy resources better and easier. The irrigation industry has your back.


Anne Blankenbier Irrigation Today Editor-in-Chief


irrigationtoday.org


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