Source: Business Wire

In a major step forward for growers in the water-stressed Great Plains, Netafim USA has joined efforts with Teeter Irrigation, Inc. to provide Western Kansas and Eastern Colorado growers with access to the groundbreaking Precision Mobile Drip Irrigation (PMDI) technology. 

Melding the benefits of a center pivot irrigation system with the unmatched water-efficiency and uniformity of Netafim’s drip irrigation technology, the PMDI system provides growers with a water-efficient irrigation solution for existing and new center pivot applications. In addition to holding exclusive distribution rights in western Kansas and eastern Colorado, Teeter Irrigation, with its WISH group affiliates, will offer the patented PMDI process and technology to growers nationwide as part of their Dragon-Linesystem offering. 

“As the region’s growers are challenged with maintaining or improving production levels in the face of persistent droughts and the declining Ogallala Aquifer water tables, Netafim is working hand-in-hand with partners like Teeter Irrigation to drive adoption of precision mobile drip irrigation as a more efficient irrigation solution for growers,” said Ze’ev Barylka, Director of Marketing and Ag Sales at Netafim USA. “With a 99% uniformity application rate, at any flow, and the lowest cost per acre in the history of drip irrigation, precision mobile drip irrigation enables growers with center pivot systems to immediately benefit from the documented efficiencies of a Netafim drip irrigation system.”

Transforming the landscape of center pivot irrigation, the PMDI solution consists of Netafim’s industry leading DripNet PC dripline pulled through the field by a center pivot or linear move irrigation system. As the driplines are pulled behind the system, the integrated emitters deliver a uniform water pattern across the full length of the irrigated area. Because the driplines deliver water directly to the soil surface, evaporation and wind drift are virtually eliminated, allowing for more water to reach the soil surface and deeper percolation to the plant’s root zone.

“Recent trials have shown that a PMDI system such as our Dragon-Line system is capable of boosting yields substantially, while using significantly less water than is typically applied by a conventional center pivot system,” said Monty Teeter, CEO of Teeter Irrigation. “It is a remarkable technology that allows growers to precisely match the application of water and nutrients with soil intake. It keeps water off of leaves and stalks, delivering it directly to the surface where it can be banked in the soil before it is lost to evaporation. Furthermore, because the water is applied behind the center pivot wheels, growers are able to eliminate deep wheel tracks and soil compaction that occurs with a traditional pivot system.”

 Originally patented by T-L Irrigation Company, Netafim is the exclusive provider of drip irrigation technology for the PMDI system, and holds the North American rights to commercialize the system as part of its comprehensive drip irrigation system offering. Dragon-Line is a trademarked term for a system developed by Teeter Irrigation that utilizes the patented PMDI process and technology.