AgroPages-Valley Irrigation receives new product of the year, AE50 award-Agricultural news

Valley Irrigation is pleased to announce they have recently earned two prestigious industry awards for irrigation technology solutions. Valley Scheduling has been named New Product of the Year by the Irrigation Association at their 2019 show. In addition, Valley GPS Guidance has won a 2020 AE50 Award from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE).

"We are pleased and honored to receive these awards," says Len Adams, Group President, Irrigation and Tubing. "They are further evidence that Valley is the undisputed leader in irrigation technology, and show that the only thing stronger than our steel is our commitment to meeting grower needs."

The Irrigation Association recognizes the most innovative products from across a variety of categories in the irrigation industry. Each year, dozens of new products are evaluated based on innovation, quality, efficiency of water/resource use, ease of use and other factors.

Valley Scheduling fulfilled those qualifications with its simplicity, flexibility, time savings and demonstrable field results.

"With Valley Scheduling, growers experience increased yields and profitability because they use less energy and fewer resources by watering the right amount in the right places and at the right times," explained Senior Director, Innovation & Intellectual Property John Kastl. "They can also monitor potential crop stress due to over- or under-watering, and increase production and yield quality."

Valley Scheduling helps growers make smarter decisions based on real field data about soil, crop type, stage of development and automatically updated weather information.

Plus, Valley Scheduling offers customizable options that other brands do not: growers may select either modeled data (based on a proprietary algorithm) or measured data (by hardware in the field).

The AE50 awards program emphasizes the role of new products and systems in bringing advanced technology to the marketplace. These engineering developments help farmers, food processors and equipment manufacturers increase efficiency, enhance quality, improve safety, and increase profits.

Valley GPS Guidance uses advanced power line carrier (PLC) technology to communicate RTK GPS correction signals. This technology works much like automated steering and tractor guidance and improves the reliability of communication with the corner arm, eliminating the need for radios. Additionally, the built-in terrain compensation provides more accurate steering along a precise, predetermined guidance path on steep terrain.

Valley GPS Guidance also offers:

• Built-in terrain compensation reduces over-steering on rolling terrain or high ridges, resulting in a straighter and more consistent wheel track for less crop damage.

• Highly accurate pivot position for help with end guns, VRI and stop-in-slot due to its direct connection to the control panel.

"The Valley technology toolbox is constantly growing," said Andy Carritt, Vice President, Product Development for Valley. "We innovate to help growers do more with less - maximizing their acres and making better decisions that provide return on investment and increased profits."