Tag: DripIrrigation

Protect Your Crop Before Temperatures Drop: Planning a Frost Protection System

Posted on | by triestag1
Frost protection on blueberries in action.

Do not wait until freezing temperatures are in the forecast to think about frost protection. A single cold event can damage blossoms, developing fruit, and plant tissue, putting crop quality and yield potential at risk. For berry and orchard growers, a properly designed frost protection system provides the preparation and dependable water coverage needed when temperatures fall.

TriEst Ag Group works with specialty crop growers to design permanent frost protection systems based on crop needs, field conditions, available water, and expected weather risks. From overhead sprinkler systems for berry crops to under-canopy Micro-Jet systems for orchards, careful planning can help growers protect their investment when cold weather arrives.

How Water Protects Plants from Frost

Water-based frost protection systems use the heat released when water freezes to help maintain plant tissue at approximately 32°F. As water changes from a liquid to ice, it releases a small amount of heat. This process helps prevent the temperature of the plant tissue beneath the ice from falling to more damaging levels.

For this protection to work, plants must receive a consistent supply of water throughout the freezing event. If water application stops too early, evaporation and continued cooling can lower plant temperatures and potentially increase damage. Water application generally continues until temperatures rise above freezing and the ice begins to melt naturally.

Overhead Frost Protection

Overhead sprinklers are commonly used for frost protection in berry crops and some orchard applications. Solid-set impact sprinklers and wobbler-style sprinklers distribute water over the crop canopy, blossoms, and developing fruit.

Because these systems may need to operate continuously for several hours, reliable water delivery is essential. The system must maintain the correct flow and pressure across the entire protected area. Uniform coverage helps ensure plants receive the consistent water application needed to support protection.

Overhead frost protection systems can provide several benefits:

  • Reduced risk of cold injury to blossoms, fruit, and plant tissue
  • More uniform water coverage across the protected area
  • Permanent infrastructure that can be activated when cold conditions are forecast
  • Greater readiness during critical crop development stages
  • Potential protection of crop quality and yield
  • Under-Canopy Micro-Jet Systems

Micro-Jets can also be installed beneath the canopy of orchard crops to help mitigate cold damage. These systems spray water beneath the trees, where the freezing process releases heat near the orchard floor and within the lower canopy environment.

Rather than coating blossoms or foliage directly, under-canopy systems help add heat to the orchard environment and may reduce temperature loss around the trees. Their effectiveness depends on orchard layout, canopy structure, weather conditions, and water application rate.

Micro-Jets can be incorporated into permanent orchard irrigation systems, giving growers a practical way to support both irrigation and frost protection needs.

Designing an Effective Frost Protection System

Frost protection is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Ambient temperature, wind speed, humidity, water application rate, crop type, field elevation, and system uniformity all influence how much protection can be achieved.

An effective system design should account for:

  • Available water volume and water source capacity
  • Required application rate for expected weather conditions
  • Pump capacity and operating pressure
  • Sprinkler or Micro-Jet type and spacing
  • Field or orchard layout
  • Zone size and control requirements
  • Coverage uniformity across changing elevations
  • Automation and monitoring options

Wind can carry water away from the target area and increase evaporative cooling, while an insufficient application rate may not release enough heat to protect the crop. Proper system design helps ensure water is applied consistently when it is needed most.

Start Planning Before Frost Season

A permanent frost protection system gives growers time to evaluate the water supply, test operating pressure, confirm coverage, and make adjustments before cold weather arrives.

Contact your local TriEst Ag Group location to begin designing a frost protection system that helps prepare your operation for the next freezing event.

Filtration Systems That Keep Irrigation Running Smoothly

Posted on | by triestag1

A reliable irrigation system is only as strong as the water moving through it. For growers, clogged emitters, uneven flow, pressure loss, and equipment wear can quickly turn into crop stress, labor costs, and downtime. The right filtration system helps protect your investment by removing debris before it creates problems in the field.

Filtration is not one-size-fits-all. The best option depends on your water source, irrigation design, crop needs, and the type of material you need to remove.

Why Filtration Matters

Water from ponds, wells, canals, reservoirs, and reclaimed sources can carry sand, algae, organic matter, silt, rust, or other particles. Even small debris can block drip tape, micro-sprinklers, valves, injectors, and regulators.

When filtration is working properly, growers often see more uniform irrigation, improved system efficiency, fewer repairs, and better distribution of fertilizers and crop inputs applied through irrigation.

Common Filtration Options

Screen filters are a practical choice for removing larger particles such as sand, grit, and debris. They are often used with relatively clean water sources and are available in manual or automatic cleaning designs. Screen filters are simple, cost-effective, and easy to inspect, but they may require frequent cleaning when water contains heavy organic matter.

Disc filters use stacked grooved discs to capture particles. They provide more surface area than many screen filters and can handle a wider range of debris. Disc filters are a strong option for drip irrigation systems because they can remove fine particles that may clog emitters. They also perform well when water quality varies throughout the season.

Media filters, sometimes called sand media filters, are often used when water contains algae, organic matter, or heavier biological loading. Water passes through a bed of media that traps contaminants. These systems are especially useful for surface water sources such as ponds, canals, and reservoirs. Media filters typically require backwashing, so proper sizing and maintenance are important.

Hydrocyclone sand separators are designed to remove heavier particles, especially sand, from irrigation water. They use spinning action to separate solids from the water stream before it reaches other filtration equipment. These are often installed ahead of screen, disc, or media filters to reduce clogging and wear. They are not designed to remove algae or lightweight organic matter.

Matching the Filter to the Problem

If you are dealing with sand from a well, a hydrocyclone sand separator followed by a screen or disc filter may be effective. If algae or organic debris from a pond is the issue, media filtration may be the better fit. If drip tape is clogging in scattered areas, finer filtration or improved maintenance may be needed.

The key is to identify the source of the clogging before choosing equipment. Water testing, system inspection, and pressure checks can help pinpoint the problem.

Maintenance Makes the Difference

Even the best filtration system needs regular attention. Growers should monitor pressure differences across filters, clean or backwash as recommended, inspect seals and screens, and check for buildup during high-use periods. A small pressure change can be an early warning sign that flow is being restricted.

Long-Term Value for Growers

Filtration is not just about keeping equipment clean. It is about delivering water and nutrients where the crop needs them, when it needs them. With the right system in place, growers can reduce downtime, improve irrigation uniformity, and make every acre easier to manage.

At TriEst Ag Group, we work with growers to support reliable, efficient irrigation systems built for field performance. From filtration solutions to complete irrigation system design, our team helps protect your investment and keep water moving where it matters most.

Learn more by contacting your local TriEst Ag Group today.

Why Smart Drip Irrigation is the Smartest Investment for Your Farm

Posted on | by triestag1
N.FL Jalapenos Drip Irrigation

Water, fertilizer, and energy are some of the most expensive inputs in farming today. At the same time, growers are under pressure to maximize yields while protecting resources. A drip irrigation system designed with smart irrigation technology meets these challenges head-on.

When built with irrigation design software used by qualified engineers, installed by trained automation professionals, and supported by quality components, drip irrigation becomes more than a watering method, it’s a complete management tool that pays back every season.

How Drip Irrigation Works

Unlike flood or sprinkler irrigation, drip irrigation delivers water directly to the root zone through a network of mainlines, submains, dripline, and emitters.

Key components include:

  • Mainline and submains – move water efficiently from the pump to the field.
  • Dripline or drip tape – applies water drop by drop at the plant row.
  • Pressure regulation and valves – maintain uniform delivery across the system.
  • Filtration – keeps water clean to prevent clogging.

The result? Consistent soil moisture, less evaporation, and reduced runoff. Most growers see 30–50% water savings compared to traditional irrigation methods—while improving crop uniformity and yield.

Precision Design with Smart Software

Every field has its own challenges: slope, soil type, crop spacing, and water source. Our design team utilizes software that allows them to model these factors and calculate system hydraulics before installation.

That means:

  • Correct pipe sizing that considers capital cost versus long term energy cost.
  • Overall design layouts that keep the grower’s system manageably in mind.
  • Uniform pressure and flow to every emitter.
  • A system that integrates easily with automation and fertigation.
  • In short, a design that works from day one and saves money long-term.
Sample Irrigation Design

Automation: Smarter Irrigation Management

Irrigation automation takes a grower’s control out of guesswork and into data-driven precision. Automated controllers use timers, soil moisture sensors, and climate data to irrigate only when needed.

Growers can monitor and adjust from a phone, tablet, or computer. The benefits are clear:

  • Labor savings—no more walking valves across fields.
  • Consistency—uniform irrigation regardless of who’s on shift.
  • Better decision-making—detailed records of water use and scheduling.
  • Fertigation: nutrients at the root zone.

With drip irrigation, you can do more than apply water. Fertigation injects nutrients directly into the drip system, delivering small, frequent doses right where roots can absorb them.

Advantages include:

  • Reduced fertilizer use.
  • Minimal nutrient loss to leaching.
  • More uniform plant growth and higher quality crops.

Pumping and Filtration: The Backbone of the System

  • A smart irrigation system is only as strong as its pump and filters.
  • Pumping stations provide the correct pressure and flow for consistent irrigation. Many systems can be tied into automation controls for remote management.
  • Filtration systems—whether it is a sand media, disc, or screen filter—are essential for clean, clog-free operation. Reliable filtration protects emitters and ensures long-term performance.
Citrus Filter/Pump Station.

Why Quality Parts and Qualified Installers Matter

Cutting corners on irrigation rarely pays off. Low-cost parts wear out quickly, causing downtime and costly repairs. Improper installation can lead to uneven watering, wasted fertilizer, and crop stress.

Working with certified irrigation designers, trained automation installers, and trusted suppliers ensures your system is built to last and perform at peak efficiency.

The Takeaway

A smart drip irrigation system combines precision water delivery, automation, fertigation, and reliable pumping and filtration into one powerful management tool. The result: lower input costs, higher yields, and long-term sustainability.

At TriEst Ag Group, we provide growers with expert irrigation design, automation installation, and high-quality components—backed by decades of experience.

👉 Ready to upgrade your irrigation system or just learn what a well-designed irrigation system can do for your crop? Contact us HERE today.

CELEBRATE SMART IRRIGATION MONTH WITH TRIEST

Posted on | by triestag1

TriEst Ag Group proudly celebrates Smart Irrigation Month by helping growers maximize water-use efficiency every day.

Smart Irrigation Month is a public awareness campaign to promote efficient water use. Focused on July, Smart Irrigation Month highlights effective practices and innovative technologies to

  • increase crop yield per acre.
  • apply water and nutrient inputs more precisely for improved results with little to no waste.
  • minimize runoff and topsoil erosion.
  • help protect and preserve water supplies for today and the future.

Smart irrigation technologies equip farmers with information they need to know regarding when and how long to irrigate. They can input variables like crop water needs and soil type, while using scheduling programs that monitor local weather conditions and soil moisture.

These data points give farmers the information necessary to irrigate with precision, minimizing stress from over- or under-watering. With a finger on the pulse of your crop’s water needs, crop quality can be improved and yields can be maximized. 

TriEst Ag Group believes in smart water-saving practices and is dedicated to delivering real results by helping growers

  • design irrigation systems with zones and irrigation scheduling programs for more efficient water and fertilizer use.
  • install irrigation systems that use real-time weather data and soil moisture sensors to automatically adjust watering to meet crop needs.
  • precisely apply water and nutrients to minimize evaporation, runoff and waste.
  • qualify for government financial assistance to conserve ground and surface water and improve water quality.
  • meet federal, state, and local environmental regulations.

For more information about how TriEst Ag can help you be more efficient contact us today.

Smart Irrigation Month is an initiative of the Irrigation Association, a nonprofit industry organization dedicated to promoting efficient irrigation. Visit www.smartirrigationmonth.org to learn more.

Soil to Substrate: Key Irrigation and Fertigation Ideas for Long Cane Raspberries

Posted on | by Josh Mays

The Comparison

Traditional soil production for soft fruit crops is a buffered system that is slow to change, whether good or bad. Fertigation mistakes in a traditional soil system isn’t necessarily going to be detrimental, or result is major pH or nutrient changes. For the same reasons, soil deficiencies or incorrect pH ranges are more difficult to correct in traditional systems.

The difference in a substrate system is significant. It is a low volume potted container area that is essentially fed by an IV nutrient solution, so fertigation changes can result in major nutrient or pH shifts within a matter of hours. So, this situation is both good and bad – you can correct your mistakes very quickly and you can make mistakes very quickly. Think of substrate as a high risk, high reward type system where your attention to detail is very important.

Moving forward with those differences in growing systems pointed out let’s lay out some key ideas for growing.

Substrate System
Soil System under Polytunnel

Plant Nutrition and PH

Starting with the right pH is key in a soil system for berries, or you’ll be fighting it all season long, but impact in season is minimal with the right fertility program. Most soil systems are high volume of fertilizers and water, with low frequency of runs for irrigation and fertigation. Fertility in soil systems are referred to in terms of pounds per acre. The southeast typically has programs of 150-30-200#/acre NPK with 30-50# S and 40-50# Ca. Fertigation is supplied commonly with potassium nitrate/calcium nitrate/UAN style blends (a 5-1-7 with 2% Ca for example). We do a lot of these type blends in traditional soil production of soft fruit, with sulfur being supplied as a supplement.

In a substrate system, the program is the opposite of a soils system. Low volume and high frequency systems run typically for 2-3 minutes at a time 20-30 times daily. Fertigation is driven by PPM (parts per million) to target crops by each stage every irrigation cycle. Fertility isn’t driven by pounds of nutrient applied per acre, but crop demand of a balanced nutrient solution based on irrigation needs. It is also critical to realize that rapid pH manipulation is possible through water treatment and fertilizer selection. Just think about the size of the pot and the tight area the plant is in. So, as a grower, you have to re-calibrate yourself in this type of system to be more targeted and understand how quickly changes can be made.

Water Quality

Water quality is the first factor in determining a proper nutrient and irrigation plan for a substrate crop. Well, municipal, and surface water is variable and should be regularly tested for pH, EC, and iron. Managing pH is very important particularly in substrate systems as highlighted earlier. Making assumptions about your source water can lead to big mistakes, test first.

Injection Systems and Fertilizer Sources

When you look at injection systems to create a fertility base like we’ve been discussing it is generally a two-stage injection system that will allow growers to run one tank that is calcium based and another being sulfur based. Calcium and sulfur don’t play nice as fertilizer concentrates, so this split is the most natural way to begin your fertility program. Both tanks can be run as a diluted mix simultaneously, pending quality and dilution rate.

Nutrient form matters! The form you choose to use can have a large impact on your pH (especially nitrogen). Water-soluble blends are the recommended best option for a substrate system due to the ability for customization. Drip grade liquid fertilizers are an option with reduced labor, but it can’t be customized as much, as the scale for drip fertigation is much larger and is made in greater quantities typically. There are many options to find the same end goal for nutrition, as long as the product form/ratios are correct.

Last Thoughts

There are a lot of factors that need to be monitored in both substrate and soil systems. You can go from a very simple, labor intensive style to monitor pH, water quality, nutrients, and E/C which does work or you can start adding layers of sensors and automation. To learn more you can reach out to our team and they can help you research solutions that will work best for you and your substrate production needs.

The Importance of Irrigation in Pecan Production

Posted on | by triestag1

Three of the most important factors in pecan production are: Water, Water and Water!

Pecan trees have high water requirements, as much as 350 gallons per tree per day for mature trees.  In addition, they have been shown to take most of the water they require from the upper 32 inches of the soil profile for normal seasonal growth. The deeper the trees have to reach for available water the more energy they use to obtain it. If ground water levels are very low the pecan trees will go into “survival mode” and divert their energy from developing leaves and nuts to simply surviving the drought stress.

Adequate soil moisture is important at the beginning of the season to stimulate strong, vigorous growth, from bloom through shell hardening for nut size, and during the nut filling stage for better overall nut quality. At the end of the season it is important to prevent shuck split, early nut drop, and low energy reserves.

One of our customers once said “I’ve never made money trying to save money”.  In other words, you have to spend money on the things that can make you money.  When it comes to pecan production, one of the best investments you can make is the installation of an irrigation system.  It is the best way to ensure that adequate soil moisture is available when the trees need it. 

There are several types of systems to choose from including solid-set sprinklers, micro jets, punch in emitters, and drip tubing.  No matter which type of system you choose, it is important that an irrigation schedule be developed based on the type of system and soil type that will meet the water needs of the trees.

Micro-jets, emitters, and drip tubing are the most common types of irrigation systems currently being installed for pecan orchards.  Some of the advantages these system types have over more traditional solid-set sprinklers are:

  • Minimal evaporation/water loss since water would be discharged at or below ground level.
  • Lower pressure requirements.
  • Ability to maintain more constant soil moisture levels.
  • Irrigation can be applied during mechanical operations.
  • Fertilizer and other chemicals can be applied through the system.
  • Systems are readily adapted to automatic controls.
  • More efficient and uniform application of water.

A properly designed irrigation system coupled with a proper watering schedule can prevent drought stress, boost crop yields, and improve quality.

Contact us your local TriEst Ag Group location about designing your irrigation system today. https://triestag.com/contact-us/

References:

Wells, M.L., Harrison, K.A. 2006. Cultural Management of Commercial Pecan Orchards (B 1304) UGA Extension

Harrison, K.A. 2009. Drip Irrigation in Pecans (B936) UGA Extension