Drive through farm country and you’ll notice them almost immediately. Long spans of steel stretching across fields, slowly moving in wide circles, quietly watering crops hour after hour. For many, they are just part of the landscape. But those machines, known as center pivots, represent one of the most important shifts in how agriculture is […]
If an irrigation system struggled last season, it won’t fix itself. Small issues tend to compound under summer demand, leading to higher water use, stressed landscapes, and more service calls. Here are six signs it may be time for an upgrade. You’re Constantly Fixing the Same Issues Frequent leaks, valve failures, or wiring problems are […]
Most people water their landscapes based on guesswork. A little here, a little there, adjust the timer when things look dry, and hope for the best. But there’s a number—a simple coefficient—that tells you exactly how much water each plant needs. It’s called the plant species factor, and understanding it can cut your water use […]
Spring is coming, and so is irrigation season. But before you flip that controller back on and let the water flow, there’s work to do. An irrigation system that sat dormant all winter doesn’t just wake up ready to perform. Freezing temperatures, shifting soil, and months of inactivity take their toll. Skipping the pre-season checklist […]
The Colorado River water management crisis has reached another critical moment. There is a deadline on the wall, and the West just missed it. February 14th came and went without agreement among the seven Colorado River Basin states on how to manage one of the most critical water systems in North America. It wasn’t the first missed […]
If you’ve spent any real time in the field, you already know this: the true cost of irrigation work isn’t fitting; it’s the labor. Glue, primer, cure times, extra tools, and return trips all add up fast. Push-to-connect fittings change that math in a meaningful way. These fittings aren’t shortcuts. They’re a better process, one that reduces labor, lowers material costs, speeds up installs and repairs, and gets crews on and off […]
For irrigation contractors and agricultural producers, water is not an abstract political topic. It is the operating system of your business. Every field, every landscape, every pivot, every valve, every crop depends on it. This week, that operating system became even more strained. The seven states that rely on the Colorado River failed to reach […]
Water is the West’s most valuable input. As we move into the 2025–26 water year, the climate signal to watch is La Niña, and it’s back on the table. NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center says the Pacific is likely to tip from neutral into La Niña this fall (about 71% odds Oct–Dec), with the signal lingering […]
A well-planned getaway is something we all look forward to whether it’s a week on the coast or a long weekend with family. But while you’re out relaxing, your landscape still needs attention. Coming home to dead plants, fried turf, or a water-soaked disaster from a broken sprinkler can quickly erase your post-trip glow. The […]
I always thought that dietary changes would be the biggest reason for reduced water use worldwide in the future. I thought it would be due to reduced meat intake. I had no idea a couple of years ago that it would be due to an appetite suppressant. The good news is that we probably have […]