The State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is gearing up for its 2023 Request for Applications process. This program provides a golden opportunity for California’s agricultural community to secure funding for projects aimed at water conservation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. With an anticipated application window opening in November 2023, …
Farms and ranches across California use a wide range of electric motors to operate pumps that move water from wells, canals, and reservoirs to irrigation systems, livestock, and other needs. As part of your season start-up or preventive maintenance, a megger test is recommended because it helps ensure motors are ready to run. Operating motors that have been idle for …
In mid-2022, a large dairy in Fresno County kicked off a project to drill a new 600’ well for their family-owned dairy and farming operation. All involved were confident the project would go smoothly and, once completed, would provide 1,700-2,100 gallons per minute (GPM) of water. Unfortunately, the results were far below the expected GPM flow for an expensive project. …
Sand in well water can be very damaging to turbine pumps as well as other downstream equipment. When sand enters a pump it erodes the pump’s impellers and creates a rocker-type action causing imbalance and a loss in efficiency resulting in costly repairs, replacements, and higher operating costs due to inefficient pump operation. LAKOS Pump Protection Separators (PPS) can extend the …
Cal-West Rain is pleased to announce that Madera County has recently recognized Cal-West Rain as a pre-approved provider to install flow meters, verify previously installed flow meters, and check flow meter calibrations in the Madera County GSA. In addition to Madera County, Cal-West Rain is also a pre-approved vendor in the Antelope Valley Groundwater Basin. The Antelope Valley Groundwater Basin …
Understanding VFD terminology helps users to ensure proper application in the field. This article and the attached PDF file details 50 of the most important VFD terms that VFD users should understand to more effectively specify and maintain their drives. What is a variable frequency drive and how are they used in agriculture? VFDs are used to regulate the speed …
This case study provides a real-world example of how a grower in Reedley, CA (Fresno County), worked with the local NRCS office and Cal-West to design and install a new irrigation system to meet their conservation goals. Additionally, the grower applied for and received financial assistance from NRCS to support the design and installation of their conservation plan. Key Takeaways: …
Thin wall driplines are defined as driplines with a wall thickness of 0.4 mm or less. These driplines are specifically designed to be used for one to three seasons on vegetables and certain field cash crops. It is also ideally suited for temporary installation for strip wetting for germination. If the attributes of advanced heavy wall driplines aimed at multi-seasonal …
For most growers, the quest for improved yields, soil quality, and water quality is a never-ending process. With our ongoing commitment to sharing information, this article features ECO2MIX and explores a proven alternative for pH control using dissolved carbon dioxide gas. Let’s dive in and learn more. Key Takeaways: Controlling irrigation water pH can bring a variety of benefits to …
Jim Martin, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on January 17, 2022. Jim was born May 13, 1943, to Kenneth and Bonnie Martin and was raised in Madera, CA. He graduated from Madera High School and California State University Fresno. He married his high school sweetheart, Jeannette Alves, in 1963. Jim began his lifelong career in agriculture, working with …
