Irrigation and water management

FarmHQ releases irrigation monitoring app

FarmHQ's new app remotely monitors and controls irrigation equipment. The app, which helps lower costs and simplify operations, is now available in the Apple App Store, according to a news release. The app can be... more »

California report puts drought losses in the billions

Losses to California’s ag industry this year have topped $1 billion as the state’s drought stretched into a third straight year, according to a report from the University of California-Merced’s School of Engineering and the Public Policy Institute... more »

Global Impact Challenge winners announced

SVG Ventures|THRIVE, a global agrifood investment and innovation platform, has chosen 10 finalists in the 2022 THRIVE Global Impact Challenge. The challenge is a global search for the most innovative startups advancing a net-zero future... more »

Western Growers, S2G Ventures name AgSharks Competition finalists

The three finalists that will compete in the 2022 AgSharks Competition, pitching their innovations in front of a live audience of the world’s largest specialty crop producers, have been chosen. The winner will receive a... more »

Data a key factor in addressing the West’s water shortage

Like many other researchers, University of California-Merced environmental engineering professors Erin Hestir and Joshua Viers are trying to quantify water use in California’s Central Valley. The difference is, they are doing it from the sky. Through NASA's applied sciences program, their... more »

Irrigation management, climate smart ag focus of new NCRS grant opportunities

The USDA's National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) released two National Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) Notices of Funding Opportunity. Both are accepting applications. The CIG On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials (OFT) program will award up to $25 million... more »

Ag groups seek quick availability of water project funding

A coalition of agriculture groups in the western U.S. is asking federal officials to immediately implement drought funding in the Inflation Reduction Act. Western Growers, the Agribusiness and Water Council of Arizona, Family Farm Alliance... more »

Drain tiles manage excess water in fields

There are few tools that farmers can use to expand marketing windows, to get a slight jump-start on supplying fresh fruit and vegetables to restaurants, farmers markets and retailers eager to feature locally grown food.... more »

Western Growers supports California water plans

Dave Puglia, Western Growers president and CEO, praised California Gov. Gavin Newsom's water supply strategy. Responding to Newsom’s Aug. 11 announcement, Puglia said the plan is “bold and comprehensive.” “Our... more »

Gov. Newsom unveils water strategy for hotter, drier California

Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced California’s latest actions to increase water supply and adapt to more extreme weather patterns caused by climate change. Hotter and drier weather conditions spurred by climate change could reduce California’s water... more »