IA announces 2021 New Product Contest winners
FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA (Dec. 9, 2021) — The Irrigation Association is excited to announce the winners of the 2021 New Product Contest. This year’s contest was a hybrid event — combining both virtual and live elements. All products and technologies entered in the contest were featured in the online product showcase at www.irrigationshow.org and displayed in person at the 2021 Irrigation Show and Education Week held Dec. 6-10 in San Diego.
Forty new products and technologies were entered in five categories. Products were evaluated based on innovation, design quality, increased water/resource-use efficiency, ease of use and product life expectancy. Contest judges were experienced professionals with technical knowledge and industry expertise. Official judging was conducted via Zoom Nov. 17-18, and these winners were announced live on the Irrigation Show floor on Dec. 9.
The winner of the agriculture irrigation category is the Toro Automation System by Toro Ag. The Toro Automation System is a cloud-based system for management of agricultural irrigation based on base stations and devices to control valves and report sensor feedback. It allows for more flexible water input scheduling based on precision irrigation.
The winner of the agriculture specialty category is Jain Water Management Services by Jain Irrigation. Jain Water Management Services takes a highly integrated approach to generate intelligent irrigation schedules, observing plant responses using satellite imaging while monitoring soil moisture conditions, weather and field irrigation events and providing irrigation consulting for maximizing water-use efficiency and improved yields.
The winner of the landscape irrigation category is the Flow-Indicating Basket Filter by Rain Bird Corporation. The Flow-Indicating Basket Filter is a complete solution to monitor drip system performance. It’s the only product that provides all-in-one flow measurement, filtration and pressure regulation as well as offering easy maintenance and installation.
The winner of the landscape specialty category is the WaterSwitch by Irrometer Company. The WaterSwitch works with existing valves or a controller to improve irrigation efficiency based on plant demand. The module will prevent irrigation cycles by signaling the controller’s sensor circuit or interrupting the solenoid power when the soil moisture status is wetter than the adjustable set point.
The winner of the landscape lighting category is the SRP Strip Light by FX Luminaire. The highly versatile SRP Strip Light is constructed with extruded silicone to provide superior protection against tough outdoor conditions, and its specially designed body delivers soft, even lighting without hot spots or diffusers.
Visit www.irrigationshow.org for more details about the contest and to see all the products entered. Contact Janie Hakim (janiehakim@irrigation.org, 703.817.6098) for information about entering a product in the 2022 New Product Contest.