By Daniel Cole, Valley Irrigation, Director of Product Management –Hardware Controls & Andrew Olson, Valley Irrigation Senior Product Manager

In today’s uncertain agricultural economy, growers are facing a perfect storm of rising input costs, inflation, and soaring farmland values. From fuel to fertilizer, the costs of operating a farm have increased across the board. Expanding by purchasing more land is becoming increasingly cost-prohibitive. According to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, farmland values rose by 7.4% in 2023, following a record-breaking increase of 12% over 2022 (Farm Bureau). Global trends show an 8.5% increase in farmland values, with Central Europe seeing growth rates of 13%, and North and South America at 9% (Savills). Higher land values also mean increased taxes, adding pressure to profit margins.

In this challenging environment, maximizing the productivity of existing land is more crucial than ever. A simple way to boost your operation’s return on investment (ROI) is to make every acre count – including the often-overlooked corners of your fields. Utilizing these additional 25-28 acres can add thousands of bushels to your yield, translating into tens of thousands of dollars in additional revenue per field.

How Much Difference Can a Corner Machine Make?

Consider the potential yield increase from irrigating the corners of your fields:

• Wheat: 30 bu/ac increase x $6.50/bu x 28 ac = $5460 per field
• Corn: 50 bu/ac increase x 5/bu x 28 ac = $7,000
• Soybeans: 20 bu/ac increase x $13.00/bu x 28 ac = $7,280 per field 714 extra bushels = $11,281 per field

Based on 28 extra acres, 2023 avg. bushels/acre increase between average irrigated and non-irrigated fields.

However, not all corner machines deliver consistent results. In the past, potato growers often avoided using corners altogether, as the reduced uniformity in water application could negatively impact yield grade and, ultimately, pricing. Inconsistent water application along the corners can lead to over- or under-watering as the corner arm extends and retracts, resulting in uneven growth and suboptimal yields. This is where Valley’s EnCompass™ technology stands out, ensuring more consistent water delivery across the entire field, improving both crop uniformity and yield potential.

EnCompass: Cornering the Market in Water Uniformity

In an inflationary environment, it’s critical to make every acre of farmland as productive as possible. EnCompass ensures consistent water application across every inch of your fields, maximizing your yield potential.

Valley’s EnCompass system uses advanced GPS technology to adjust water flow automatically as the corner arm extends and retracts through the field. It predicts water needs ahead, pulsing nozzles on and off for precise application, eliminating over or under-watering. This intelligent water application solution achieves up to 93% water uniformity, The highest uniformity of corner arms in the industry.

Unlike traditional systems, EnCompass can operate in both leading and trailing positions, ensuring optimal water application regardless of direction or obstacles in the field. This level of precision makes EnCompass the ideal choice for maximizing productivity on both new and existing corner machines.

Make the Most of Rising Input Costs and Inflation

The USDA’s 2024-2025 agricultural outlook forecasts ongoing margin pressure due to high input prices. In these challenging times, EnCompass allows growers to do more with the land they already have, increasing their productivity and profitability without expanding acres.

Take a proactive step to improve your irrigation uniformity and make every acre count. See your local Valley dealer today to learn more about how EnCompass can help you maximize your fields’ full potential.