Wouldn’t it be nice if every field was a perfectly square quarter section with no obstacles to worry about? Well it would also be nice if money grew on trees, but unfortunately neither of these scenarios is reality.

However, what if there was a way for you to both overcome obstacles in your field, as well as save some money with your mechanized irrigation machine? For any operation, that’s almost as good as money growing on trees. This was the driving force behind the development of the Valley line of Bender machine options, allowing the grower to maximize irrigated acres without breaking the bank.

As you fly across the country (or anywhere in the world) and see the perfect green circles covering the ground, it is easy to pick out the fields with center pivot irrigation. Looking closely, you may see a field that isn’t a perfect green circle, but is in fact almost square. This indicates a center pivot with a corner arm.

There are a lot of factors to consider when converting to a different form of irrigation. What type of irrigation should you switch to? What changes will need to be made to your management? How do you make this transition as easy as possible?

Popcorn is an entertainment snack food staple in America. From the local little league game to the multiplex theater, popcorn is the first snack we reach for. It is so common that we often don’t stop to think about where it comes from and all the work that goes into making that perfectly fluffy treat.

Valley Develops Solution For Pipeline Corrosion

Problem areas with low pH concentrations in the aquifer would require alternate solutions for farmers, and would eventually lead to Valley® engineers developing a permanent solution to pipeline corrosion issues in 1992 with their PolySpan® product line.

Advancements in technology have allowed crop irrigation pipelines to run with minimal problems for years at a time. New products and techniques such as digital control panels, sprinkler packages, and protective coatings like galvanizing have extended these machine’s lives considerably, and have secured irrigation pipelines as a lasting investment.

When purchasing a center pivot, you likely have expectations for the lifespan of your equipment. Some center pivot pipelines are still dependable after 25 to 30 years of use, which would be ideal. However, some pipelines show leaks after only 7 to 10 years. So why do some farmers have better luck with center pivots than others?

Starting the process of switching from dryland to irrigated farming can seem like a daunting task. There’s a lot to consider and factors that make initial investment costs not so cut and dry for every field. Patrick Scates, General Manager at Scates Valley Inc., a Valley_® Irrigation dealership in Carmi, IL, talked us through who to talk to, what you should know, and what to expect when it comes to making an investment in center pivot irrigation. 

Flood, drip, and mechanized are all common types of irrigation that are used in agriculture. If you’re looking to add irrigation to your dry land, it’s important to understand the benefits and drawbacks of each type in order to make the right decision for your fields. Before you decide on your method(s), you need to fully understand your field’s topography, soils, available water, and crop type(s). When you have a complete understanding of your field’s layout and composition, you’re ready to begin searching for the right method of irrigation.

In the last 20 years, the U.S. has seen a considerable change in groundwater chemicals that drastically affect how water corrodes irrigation pipelines. Corrosive water damages irrigation pipelines and can decrease the life of a center pivot. There are different options available for combating corrosion. Some options are much better than others depending on the pH, chloride, sulfate, and other chemical levels in your water.