A variable rate drip irrigation system under development at Oregon State University’s NEWAg Laboratory is in early commercialization stage. Precision Drip Inc., established for market outreach and system development, is seeking opportunities for 20-minute interviews with wine grape growers to inform further development.
Current drip irrigation systems have an inherent water application variability. They simultaneously over and under water crops within a management zone, resulting in lower yield, lower product quality and higher costs. The technology being developed at OSU optimizes delivery of water and nutrients giving total and verifiable control to irrigators thereby enabling precision irrigation for high value crops.
Potential Interview Questions (focus on precision irrigation and fertigation):
- If you irrigate, what type, managed deficit, other?
- Do you irrigate in all blocks or some?
- What are the principal challenges you face?
- If you had the irrigation system you most want:
What would it do, how would you manage it?
What would the principal beneficial outcomes be?
- What are the labor implications of high precision variable rate irrigation?
Click here to learn more about the technology.
To participate in a brief interview and help inform this project, please contact allan.branscomb@oregonstate.edu
Kim Nguyen
Communications Coordinator | Washington Winegrowers Association
in partnership with Winegrape Growers of America
p. 509.782.8234 | c. 346.351.8508 | f. 509.782.1203
203 Mission Avenue, Suite 107 | PO Box 716, Cashmere, WA 98815