Episode 8 - Irrigation Industry

Jackie (Jay) W.D. Robbins, II, PE, TSP, CAIS, CID
President, Irrigation-Mart, Inc.

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Episode Highlights

• [1:59] Special guest Jay Robbins - Jay is the current president of theIrrigation Association.
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  • While he volunteers with the association, Jay's real job is as president ofIrrigation-Mart, a distribution company that sells irrigation equipment.
    
    
• [3:15] The drought situation - Many are familiar with the Western drought but we are also seeing drought in the Southeast (see drought monitor from October 25, 2016, below). 
  • ​The Irrigation Association will again be hosting a Drought Summit at the annual Irrigation Show and Education Conference. 
    
    
• [9:20] Discussion about work of the Irrigation Association - During Jay's tenure as president the association as been busy engaging with those working in the irrigation industry.
  
  
  • The association organized agriculture listening sessions to bring the agriculture community together to find out how the association can better support that segment of the industry.
    
    
  • Issues facing the ag irrigation industry include the availability of water, labor, and education and training. 
    
    
• [12:51] Regardless of where you live, many of the same concerns exist - the irrigation industry is facing many issues and has been able to work together on solutions.
  
  
• [14:26] Highlights of the Irrigation Show and Education Conference - for this year's show , IA is co-locating with the National Ground Water Association.
  
  
  • Education opportunities.
    
    
  • The promotion of new product ideas and new products through the Pitcher's Mound and the New Product Contest
    
    
• [19:10] Irrigation technologies and how they are used - the decision on what type of irrigation technology to use is dependent on numerous variables. Jay discusses the different types of irrigation and why farmers may choose to use a specific type:
  
  
  • Surface Irrigation
    
    
  • Drip/Micro Irrigation
    
    
  • Sprinkler Irrigation
    
    
• [26:44] Trying to help growers improve on-farm efficiency - irrigation has a role to play in creating greater returns, whether higher yield or higher quality.

Current Drought Monitor

Types of Irrigation