Recent CIT Events

 

2021

IIC Rise of the Researchers webinar held on May 4

Today’s irrigators face great challenges and uncertainty.

Limited freshwater resources are in decline. Knowing more about how, where, and when to irrigate is only becoming more important to sustain businesses, ecosystems, and livelihoods.

Just like the force, water binds us together. The engagement and expertise of a diverse community spanning the irrigation sector gives rise to a new hope for a more water and energy efficient and sustainable future.

If you were not able to tune in to the Irrigation Innovation Consortium webinar, click here to view the webinar recording and presentation materials.

 

2021 Ag Tech Day - Innovations in Ag Irrigation Technology Demonstration and Showcase events

CIT held two Ag Tech Day events in 2021 – virtually on February 12 (postponed from October 2020) and a hybrid event held on October 29. The Advanced Pumping Efficiency Program (APEP) and the Water, Energy and Technology (WET) Center were co-hosts of the events. We sincerely appreciate the support of our sponsors, exhibitors, and presenters for their contributions to these important events.

October 2021 – The 5th Annual Ag Irrigation Technology Demonstration and Showcase was open to in-person and online attendees and included live field demonstrations, presentations, and a trade show. Technology from GroGuru, REDtrac, SeaMetrics-Technoflo, and Sentek was highlighted in the field. Additional presentations covered groundwater recharge, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) and different types of tools and systems available for Irrigation Decision Support (IDS). The event also had the largest group of exhibitors we have ever hosted on Ag Tech Day. The outdoor set-up made it possible to accommodate 31 exhibitors. 

A complete list of exhibitors and resources from presenters and sponsors can be accessed here. 

The October 29 event can be viewed on demand.

February 2021 – The virtual edition of Innovations in Ag Irrigation Technology Demonstration and Showcase featured live broadcasts from the farm at Fresno State highlighting technology from AgMonitor, Jain Irrigation Inc., and WiseConn. Additional presentations covered nitrogen management, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), the Advanced Pumping Efficiency Program, and living with salinity in ag production in the Southern San Joaquin Valley.

The February 12 event can be viewed on demand. 

 

Irrigation Innovation Consortium Virtual Field Day

The Irrigation Innovation Consortium (IIC) kicked off its 2021 Virtual Field Day during CIT’s 5th Annual Ag Tech Day with the debut of a video highlighting the strong partnerships developed between IIC researchers and industry leaders and the impressive cutting-edge research resulting from these relationships. To date, more than 30 projects have been supported with IIC funding or are being led or hosted by IIC affiliated PIs/at IIC-supported facilities. The 10-minute video can be viewed on demand. 

The consortium was founded in 2018 with a $5 M grant from the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) to support research and training to develop tools and best management practices to make irrigation systems easier to use and more water and energy efficient. California State University, Fresno is one of the founding members which includes four other U.S. land-grant universities as well as industry and association partners. 

 

CIT Testing Landscape Irrigation Sensors for Newly-Released ANSI/ASABE S633 Compliance

The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) recently released a Testing Protocol for Landscape Irrigation Soil Moisture-based Control Technologies. CIT is now accepting products for testing to meet the new requirements.

This standard establishes a procedure to test the responsiveness of soil moisture sensors to changing soil conditions. These soil moisture sensors, along with interface devices, can integrate with controllers to better manage water resources by preventing planned irrigations when adequate moisture is present.

CIT has been involved in developing standards and protocols for landscape and agricultural products for over 40 years. Laboratory or field testing by CIT provides an independent, third-party assessment of the actual operation of a product. 

Anyone interested in sending their product to CIT for testing should contact Kaomine Vang (kaominev @csufresno.edu) or call 559.278.2066. The standard can be downloaded for a fee directly from the ASABE technical library or by contacting ASABE headquarters.