EDITORIAL MESSAGE Room to grow I


’d like to start out this column with a big thank you to all of those who came to the Irrigation Show and Education Week in San Antonio.


I was especially glad to be involved in an Industry Insights presentation of the


results of the 2024 Green Industry Outlook Survey – Contractors. While the survey itself is geared more toward landscape irrigation contractors, several of the key take- aways apply across the board.


One of those crossovers deals with the potential for smart irrigation technologies to impact the upcoming year. Among landscape irrigation contractors, 54% think that it’s the top trend that will make a difference for their company. Especially if you’re a farmer in an area facing any significant level of water scarcity, it’s likely that you’re thinking similarly.


But, currently at least, smart irrigation practices like connected controllers and weather-checking systems aren’t the norm for landscape irrigation professionals. While most professionals believe that demand for products like those will increase moderately in the upcoming year, less than 40% of their customers are using smart controllers today. That means there’s a lot of room for growth and potentially a lot of money left on the table.


Making pay off


Making an investment here can pay off both in more money at se


at s ason’ n’s end and in a


better outlook for ever in the irrigation industry.


or everyone


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 kylebrown@irrigation.org.


The irrigation resource for today’s growers


Published by: Irrigation Association 8280 Willow Oaks Corporate Dr. Suite 630 Fairfax, VA 22031-4511 USA Tel 703.536.7080 Fax 703.536.7019 info@irrigationtoday.org irrigationtoday.org


Publisher Natasha Rankin, MBA, CAE


Associate Publisher Nathan Bowen


Editor-in-Chief Kyle Brown


Managing Editor Anne Blankenbiller


Creative Director Sean Burris


Content Editor Luke Reynolds


Strategic Partnerships & Business Development VP Stephanie Clark, CEM


National Sales Representatives Tom Schoen tom.schoen@bock-assoc.com 952.905.3214


Editorial Committee Chair


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


Vice Chair Jonathan Aguilar, PhD, PE Kansas State University


Past Chair Diann Ilkenhons Senninger Irrigation Inc.


Julie Bushell Paige Electric – Ag


Karin Novotny Antelco Corporation


Sahil Sharma Lindsay Corporation


Kevin Stewart, CAIS Jain Irrigation Inc.


Contributors Cody Bann Inge Bisconer, CID, CLIA Alan Bixler Nathan Bowen Scott Byfield Carlene Chase, PhD Bobby Fischer Mike Mills Luke Reynolds Renata Rimsaite, PhD Brad Rippey Vivek Sharma, PhD Josue St. Fort


4 Irrigation TODAY | Winter 2024 irrigationtoday.org


Some of the same ideas could be true for agriculture. Smart irrigation practices, like those including working with soil moisture sensors and remote irrigation system management, can make the most of the water you’re working with, and might result in lower water and power bills over time. For agricultural professionals, that can make an enormous difference in the end result for a crop and for your bottom line at the end of the season. Whether or not you’re in a region facing water scarcity, it’s worth taking some time to consider, if only to find a way to save a little extra money.


Even beyond that, improving your irrigation system to include smart practices is an important way you can share the message that growers like yourself are part of the path forward for dealing with those water scarcity issues. Making an investment here can pay off both in more money at season’s end and in a better outlook for every- one in the irrigation industry.


Irrigation Today Editor-in-Chief Kyle Brown


Photo: Nikki Avramovich


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