As a journalist, I had the opportunity to speak with Tim Hammerich, a news reporter at the Ag Information Network, about the adoption of irrigation technology in modern farming practices. Hammerich emphasized the importance of utilizing existing infrastructure on farms to avoid expensive new equipment. This approach makes it more accessible for farmers to integrate advanced technology into their operations.
In an interview with me, Arthur Chen, CEO of Verdi, an irrigation technology company, highlighted the benefits of using already-existing irrigation systems on farms for their variable rate technology. Chen explained that Verdi’s technology can be implemented at different stages of automation, starting with variable rate technology and then expanding to other assets like pumps and block valves. This allows growers to achieve precision automation on both a field level and a subfield level.
Chen also discussed the three stages of irrigation technology adoption that most farmers go through. The first stage involves using sensors to collect data and make data-driven decisions on the farm. The second stage includes basic forms of control like remotely turning on pumps or opening block valves from a phone. The third stage is the most advanced, where farmers can control hundreds of devices in the field with just a few clicks, enabling precise subfield automation.
Overall, Verdi and similar companies are working to streamline irrigation technology adoption by utilizing existing farm infrastructure and providing advanced automation capabilities for growers. By making it easier for farmers to adopt new technologies, these companies are helping to modernize agriculture practices and increase efficiency on the farm.
