2022 Webinar Series | June 8-10, 2022
Click on any topic below and watch the recording on YouTube.
Wednesday, June 8
12:00-1:00 p.m. Eastern
Introduction to Pumps
Speakers: Bill Green, Center for Irrigation Technology, and Kaomine Vang, Center for Irrigation Technology
This live, interactive webinar will focus on basic irrigation pump information, including pump types, types of impellers, overall pump efficiency, operating conditions, pump curves, electricity rate comparisons and cost to move water. Flow, pressure and the HPIN equation will all be highlighted. The Center for Irrigation Technology’s Mobile Education Center dynamic pump display will be used to do live demonstrations of pump efficiency, changing flow and pressures, variable versus stable pumping water levels, and how worn pumps affect performance.
2:00-3:00 p.m. Eastern
Introduction to VFDs
Speakers: Bill Green, Center for Irrigation Technology, and Kaomine Vang, Center for Irrigation Technology
Building on the Introduction to Pumps, this session will include a live demonstration of how variable frequency drives (VFD) work and how they can affect efficiency and pump operating conditions to improve energy efficiency, irrigation system control and performance, while also saving money versus pressure-regulating valves. The Center for Irrigation Technology’s Mobile Education Center will show soft starts, variable pumping water levels, and maintaining system output and pressure to match irrigation system requirements while improving the cost to move water.
Thursday, June 9
12:00-1:00 p.m. Eastern
Basics of Fertigation/Chemigation & Regulatory Impacts
Speaker: Jacob LaRue, PE, Independent Irrigation Consultant
Learn the fundamentals of fertigation/chemigation and the situations that are best suited for its use. This session will also cover regulatory and sustainability (economic and environmental) considerations. Explore the hardware and equipment needed to apply with center pivot and liner systems and the potential impact fertigation/chemigation has on irrigation systems, such as chemical interactions, nozzle plugging and the potential of corrosion of center pivot pipelines.
2:00-3:00 p.m. Eastern
Fertigation/Chemigation Application Based on Data
Speaker: Jacob LaRue, PE, Independent Irrigation Consultant
Building upon the Basics of Fertigation/Chemigation and Regulatory Impacts session, dive into the actual application process and the steps needed for successful implementation, including initial planning through post-application. Explore the needs, techniques, materials and calculations for both fertigation and chemigation used for weeds, insects and diseases. This session will also cover methods of monitoring to determine the need for application using field scouting, remote sensing and previous year yield maps.
Friday, June 10
12:00-1:00 p.m. Eastern
IoT, Edge-Computing & Deep Learning in Agriculture
Speaker: Xin Qiao, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
This session will discuss emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), edge computation and deep learning in practical agricultural applications. An on-farm research and extension network that utilizes such technologies in irrigation management, disease and plant health monitoring, and flow meter monitoring in western Nebraska will be discussed. This session will also talk about challenges when implementing these technologies and potential solutions in the future.
2:00-3:00 p.m. Eastern
Panel Discussion: Irrigation Industry Hiring Trends & Needs
Panelists: Ashley Black, Talent Acquisition and Organizational Development Manager, Senninger; Christine Cottrell, Talent Acquisition, Lindsay Corporation; Patrick Koop, PHR, Human Resources, Jain Distribution Holdings; and Theresa Parra, SPHR, People and Development, Netafim
Join an insightful panel discussion on the characteristics, experiences and skill sets that agricultural irrigation manufacturers are looking for in new hires. Hear directly from hiring representatives on the trends and needs they are seeing in the profession and how you as an educator can best position your students for a lucrative career in the irrigation industry.