Irrigation Automation Case Study
Problem: Like most growers in California’s San Joaquin Valley, the need to improve irrigation efficiency and reduce costs is a never-ending process. This tomato grower worked with Cal-West Rain to improve irrigation efficiency and reduce costs (labor, pumping, and water) via WiseConn’s hardware and irrigation management software (DropControl).
Location: Five Points, CA
Acres: 454
Crop: Tomatoes
Solution: Leverage WiseConn equipment and DropControl irrigation management platform to monitor upstream/downstream filter pressure, system flow rates (GPM), totalize acre-feet of water, and control pump start/stop functions. Water savings should be achieved with pulse irrigation and labor savings with the automation and scheduling capabilities of DropControl.
Expected Benefits: Water savings with shorter irrigation sets via pulse irrigation. Reduced labor costs by using system automation and irrigation scheduling tools to reduce the need for infield irrigation personnel, as well as night/weekend overtime.
Background Information
WiseConn Hardware: WiseConn’s hardware can operate, monitor, and manage multiple agricultural processes in the field. Its main hardware components are the Nodes (RF-X1, M1, and C1). WiseConn’s patent-pending hydraulic logic and DropControl protocol make for a reliable on-site distributed control system for irrigation and fertigation. Every network has one Gateway Node that contains a modem, which uploads data from the field to the WOS and DropControl servers.
- Flexible and Adaptable – Each node can control up to 5 input or output ports with any combination of actuators or sensors.
- Monitoring and Control – Nodes record field information through sensors (moisture, pressure, flow, etc.) and can simultaneously operate actuators precisely (valves, pumps, etc.).
- Wireless Network – Nodes connect real-time through a mesh network with links up to 1.25 miles line of sight.
- Low Power Consumption – Each node includes a solar panel and batteries. Nodes consume little power and maintain 5 days of backup power.
WiseConn Software: DropControl software allows data collection, storage, and analysis in a user-friendly, cloud-based platform. WiseConn’s UI is designed to optimize your time and resources without complications. Access is possible from anywhere through a browser or smartphone.
To learn more about how Irrigation Monitoring and Controls might benefit your farming operation, contact Tom Weber at Cal-West Rain 559-846-5326 or your local Cal-West Rain salesperson in Kerman, Paso Robles or Hanford through our website at www.calwestrain.com
Download Irrigation Automation Brochure (PDF)
