TURF NEWS
Water Purveyors, Irrigators Talk Conservation

NEW ORLEANS - With drought and increased demand putting constraints on water resources, the efficiency of landscape irrigation systems needs improved, said a panel of experts who discussed these and other issues as part of a historic meeting in New Orleans in late October. However, significant challenges to increased efficiency remain including downward price pressure on irrigation contractors and a lack of awareness among homeowners.

Representatives from 10 major water purveyors and 10 irrigation product firms met before an audience of 140 in New Orleans, Oct. 24, as part of the Irrigation Association's annual trade show and conference.

The water purveyors represented at the meeting provide water for nearly 30 million people in some of the most important markets for irrigation and areas where water conservation issues are most prominent such as California, Colorado, Nevada and Florida.

"We want to start out by saying that we are not anti-irrigation. We are not anti-landscaping," said Doug Bennett, conservation manager, Southern Nevada Water Authority, Las Vegas.

Nonetheless, many water supplies are under increased demands. Jill Hoyenga, Eugene Water & Electric, Doug Bennett, Southern Nevada Water Authority, during a recent roundtable meeting.

Eugene, Ore., told the panel her agency found that one of the largest water uses in the system comes from residential landscape watering. "When you see a customer watering up to 2,000 gallons per thousand square feet, when ET in the w area for that month is 6,000, it's a little bit of a wake-up call about education," Hoyenga said.

Drought, which this year impacted much of the eastern and western thirds of the United States, has compounded the problem and forced water agencies to take a tough look at outdoor uses. Water purveyors, who say they've already saved lots of water with indoor fixes, are now looking at outdoor uses in greater detail. And while technologies exist to make landscape irrigation more efficient, those technologies are not always implemented.

"The irrigation industry has responded for a number of years with improved products to meet these concerns," said Steven Moore, president, Irrisoft, North Logan, Utah. "The contractors can't sell it in many cases. The (homeowners), the consumers of your water, are not demanding improved efficiency," Moore added.

Often even simple steps to saving water, such as using rain sensors and check valves in every head are not widely implemented because of the intense pricing pressure on contractors. Dale Hansen, L.R. Nelson, Peoria, Ill., pointed out that with intense competition and budget-conscious homeowners, contractors are often forced to cut out any excess product when bidding on a job. Further, with the price of water relatively cheap even in drought-affected areas, the homeowner sees little incentive to purchase the most efficient system. "[The homeowner] is going to be more cautious and concerned about how he uses water if it costs more money," Hansen said. "If you don't cause that homeowner to think about it, he is going to continue to look for the cheapest system."

Several panelists suggested additional ways to increase the use of water-saving technologies and increase the efficiency of landscape irrigation systems, including regulation, education and new technology. "We're looking for some type of controller technology," said Robert Reaves, conservation specialist, Lower Colorado River Authority, Austin, Texas. "Basically, an automated system that takes the control of the system out of the hands of the homeowner. We find they are the biggest problem of all."

"But the bottom line is, it's not the product. It's the design and installation of the irrigation system," said Kevin Gordon, Hunter Industries, San Marcos, Calif. "An irrigation system is something that's designed on-site. And the education part of this is we have to try to educate contractors."

Brodie Bruner, vice president of sales, Weathermatic, Dallas, Texas, said, conservation issues may eventually represent a growth opportunity for the industry. Currently margins are being squeezed for manufacturers, distributors and contractors and the industry is becoming more volume-.oriented. But, as water conservation issues become more prevalent and technology improves, the industry will able to sell its expertise. "People are going to start paying us now for our expertise, for our professionalism, because we're educated. We can profit now from doing the right thing," Bruner said.

Lorne Haveruk, owner, Diamond Head Water Management, Toronto, Ontario, suggested that as water issues become more relevant, contractors could also find an opportunity in selling service contracts involving monthly stops at the home for routine maintenance and an adjustment of the controller.

For an entire transcript of the water purveyor and irrigation industry meeting, contact the Irrigation Association, 703/536-7080.

WATER & WEATHER NEWS
Norton Vows To Enforce Water Deal

SAN DIEGO - If California does not live up to its part of a seven-state agreement to reduce its use of the Colorado River water by 2015, Interior Secretary Gale Norton said she will limit the state to 4.4million acre feet of water from the river in 2003, an immediate reduction of nearly 800,000 acre feet.

The announcement, made Dec. 16, by Norton during a meeting of the Colorado River Water Users Association in Las Vegas, comes on the heals of a breakdown in what would have been a historic water-transfer deal.

Norton's predecessor Bruce Babbitt helped negotiate a deal in which California agreed to redistribute use of Colorado River water with seven other western states. As part of the plan, California would slowly reduce the amount of water it used from the river. As part of the deal, California's Imperial Irrigation District, the nation's largest irrigation district, would have to transfer water from its rich agricultural area to cities like San Diego and Los Angeles. The transfer, the largest of its kind in U.S. history, would help Southern California's urban areas make up for the water losses resulting from the seven-state agreement.

However, concerned about the water transfer's impact on the area's agriculture economy, the Imperial Irrigation District board voted 3 to 2 against the deal in December, just weeks before the deadline.

As of press time, the Imperial Irrigation District did agree to meet with other involved water agencies during the Las Vegas meeting, but it is unclear if the issue will be resolved.

"If specific California agencies choose not to adopt the agreements," Norton said, "California will lose access to extra Colorado River water."

Norton added, "The issue is not whether but when California will live within its appointment of 4.4 million acre-feet of water."

AG NEWS
USDA Develops Drip Equipment

DAWSON, Ga. - Heping Zhu, a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) engineer, announced he developed a drip tape installation and retrieval device in late November.

The equipment installs drip tape on or just beneath the surface and retrieves the tape after crops are harvested. According to USDA, the device uniformly distributes drip tape, extracts water from it, holds and supports the tape and guides and adjusts its installation. Depth of drip tapes can be adjusted from 0 to 5 centimeters.

USDA said it is currently seeking a partner to further develop commercialize the device.

Australian Drought Decimates Exports

SYDNEY - Australian farm exports will be down by 10 percent or more as a result of a severe drought, which has parched much of the country's rural areas. According to reports from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics, the cotton crop will be particularly hard hit, with production expected to fall by more than 50 percent.

Australia is traditionally one of the top exporters of cotton in the world, with nearly all of it under irrigation.

GOLF NEWS
New Breed Of Course Will Grow Game

CHICAGO, Ill. - Simpler, less and expensive golf courses, such as executive, Par-3 and "short" courses, will help fuel the golf market in the coming years, said Jay Morrish, president, American Society of Golf Course Architects.

"Research by Golf 20/20 shows that there is a pent-up demand for courses that are fun to play by people new to the game," Morrish added.

Such alternative courses are typically well accepted by new players, who may be intimidated by long, traditional courses. And the so-called short courses would provide a low-cost opportunity for smaller cities and bedroom communities. "Most growing communities are quick to provide baseball fields, soccer complexes and tennis courts,"

Morrish noted. "Now we see a growing realization that simpler, less expensive golf courses can be a part of the overall recreational mix. And, unlike the other free facilities, municipal golf courses can support themselves and even provide additional funding for the other sports fields."

COMPANY Notes...

Toro Announces 2002 Numbers

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. - The Toro Company reported its sales in 2002 grew 3.4 percent to 1,399.3 million. During the year, Toro undertook several changes in its manufacturing operations to reduce costs, including closing its Madera, Calif., plant, which manufactured agricultural irrigation products. According to Toro, residential and commercial irrigation sales increased in 2002, as Toro took advantage of low field inventory and increased demand for Irritrol products.

In a December conference call with analysts, Ken Melrose, chairman and CEO, said, "Irrigation business, which has been going through a recovery last year, is getting up a head of steam."

Valmont Opens New Distribution Center

McCOOK, Neb. - Valmont Irrigation opened its fourth parts distribution center in the United States, located in McCook, Neb., near its new irrigation manufacturing facility. The center is designed to provide easier access to parts for area Valley dealers.

JDL Finances $10 Million In Installations

ALPHARETTA, Ga. - John Deere Landscapes announced, its John Deere Credit division has financed more than $10 million worth of landscape installations. Shortly after entering the landscape distribution business in 2001, the company began offering homeowners the option of financing installations of irrigation systems, landscape lighting, nursery stock, hardscapes, patios and decks, ponds and water gardens.

CALENDAR

Jan. 20: Irrigation Association Education Course, Field Hydraulics, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Contact: 703/536-7080

Jan. 20: Irrigation Association Education Course, Electrical Troubleshooting (Part 1), Lansing, Mich. Contact: 703/536-7080

Jan. 20-22: Mid-Atlantic, Horticulture Short Course, Virginia Beach, Va. Contact: 757/ 787-9451

Jan. 20-23: Annual North Carolina Turfgrass Conference, Charlotte, N.C. Contact: 888/ 695-1333

Jan. 20-23: Annual Michigan Turfgrass Conference, Lansing, Mich. Contact: 517/321-1660

Jan. 20-21: Irrigation Association Education Course, Golf Irrigation Auditor, Fair Oaks, Calif. Contact: 703/536-7080

Jan. 21: Tampa Bay Turf Conference, Tampa, Fla. Contact: 800/882-6721

Jan. 20-21: Irrigation Association Education Course, Electrical Troubleshooting, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Contact: 703/536-7080

Jan. 20-21: Irrigation Association Education Course, Principles of Irrigation, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Contact: 703/536-7080

Jan. 20-22: Central Environmental Nursery Trade Show, Columbus, Ohio. Contact: 800/ 825-5062

Jan. 21-22: Maryland Turfgrass 2003 Conference & Trade Show, Baltimore, Md. Contact: 301/345-4199

Jan. 21-22: Irrigation Association Education Course, Job Site Leadership Skills, W. Henrietta, N.Y. Contact: 703/536-7080

Jan. 22: Irrigation Association Education Course, Job Site Leadership Skills, W. Henrietta, N.Y. Contact: 703/536-7080

Jan. 22: Irrigation Association Education Course, Sprinkler System Scheduling, Fountain Valley, Calif. Contact: 703/536-7080

Jan. 22: Irrigation Association Education Course, Understanding Pumps Controls and Wells, Fountain Valley, Calif. Contact: 703/ 536-7080

Jan. 22: Irrigation Association Education Course, Certified Irrigation Contractor, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Contact: 703/ 536-7080

Jan. 22-24: Irrigation Association Education Course, Landscape Irrigation Design, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Contact: 703/ 536-7080

Jan. 22-24: Idaho Horticulture Expo, Boise, Idaho. Contact: 800/462-4769

Editor's Note

Send your irrigation event's name, date, location and contact information to Steve Smith, 4012 Bridge Ave., Cleveland, OH 44113, E-mail: ssmith@gie.net, fax: 216/961-0364.

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