The Future of Dairy Farming: 3 Reasons to Switch to SDI-E
Operating a dairy farm is a complex endeavor. Dairies face increasingly high input costs, water shortages, fluctuating milk prices, and increased competition from large-scale corporate dairy operations, all of this on top of the ongoing challenge of effectively utilizing manure as a resource.
Traditionally, farmers have used flood irrigation or directly applied manure to fields in order to convert it into fertilizer for their crops. While these methods are natural and provide a nutrient-rich fertilizer, they can be inefficient and have unintended environmental consequences.
During the 2014 drought, west coast dairy farmers sought ways to sustainably utilize the nutrient-rich water in their settling ponds. Recognizing the benefits of precision irrigation, and realizing this water typically went unused or underutilized, the development of SDI-E began.
The Development of SDI-E: An Industry Collaboration
Subsurface Drip Irrigation for Dairy Effluent Water Application (SDI-E) is the outcome of industry collaboration. In 2016, Netafim USA partnered with Sustainable Conservation, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting California’s natural resources. Working together, various iterations of projects led to the creation of what is now SDI-E.
The system was tested and improved at three commercial test sites in California (De Jager Farms, West Star Dairy, and McRee Farms) over three years, leading to various grants and funding for its implementation. The result? An award-winning system that is now revolutionizing the dairy industry.
What is Subsurface Drip Irrigation for Dairy Effluent Water Application (SDI-E)?
But what exactly is SDI-E? The SDI-E project is an innovative subsurface precision irrigation system, which uses patented blending control technology to mix dairy effluent with freshwater to create a natural fertilizer blend for farmers. This blend is then applied directly to the root of crops, a game-changing system for farmers looking for a more sustainable and cost-effective way to manage their manure effluent. SDI-E also helps farmers be in accordance with regulatory mandates while protecting their bottom line. Here are three reasons this system can benefit your farm:
1. SDI-E Leads to Better Utilization of Resources
With a 90% distribution uniformity, SDI-E ensures precise nutrient application to the root zone of crops. Additionally, Netafim's patented system precisely blends the right ratio of effluent and fresh water for maximum nutrient uptake.
Its subsurface application also minimizes water loss from evaporation, runoff, and deep percolation, leading to less weed growth and a drier soil surface. On average the SDI-E fields uses one acre-foot less water with higher yields the a food field. As a result, it is a highly efficient solution for forage crops.
2. SDI-E Leads to Increased Production and Quality
The use of SDI-E technology can significantly increase crop production. The system delivers nutrients subsurface, which allows for precise control over the root zone environment’s moisture, nutrient levels, and other factors. By delivering directly to the roots, the system also allows for better utilization and absorption of all nutrients including nitrogen, an essential nutrient for crop growth. This increased management control results in consistently higher yields (on average 25% greater the flood) and better-quality crops.
3. SDI-E Significantly Reduces Greenhouse Gas
Finally, the SDI-E system significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. One of the challenges of raw liquid manure is the release of nitrogen gas into the atmosphere, which results in the production of harmful nitrous oxide. The SDI-E system addresses this challenge by placing the manure subsurface, so the nitrogen reaction occurs in the soil. This results in a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 70-90%. This allows SDI-E to be an effective way to mitigate the environmental impact of dairy operations.
The SDI-E system presents a great opportunity for dairies nationwide to improve their operations and increase productivity while also achieving the environmental sustainability needs of the industry. Netafim is excited to offer this solution and is confident that it will continue to drive a positive impact, one dairy at a time.
We stand ready to assist dairies in further exploring this solution.
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