Spencer Cooper, left, discusses drip system performance and the importance of irrigation system maintenance with Kern County farm advisor Blake Sanden.
Newly appointed Senior Manager, Irrigation and Water Efficiency, Spencer Cooper is here to help almond growers reach their goals of increased water efficiency through in-the-orchard visits. His boots on the ground and other outreach activities will allow for system-specific recommendations to increase the “crop per drop” on an orchard-by-orchard basis.
This new position is the latest step taken by Almond Board of California (ABC) to meet the objectives of the Accelerated Innovation Management (AIM) program, adopted by the Board of Directors to promote the innovative farming practices that will be required to meet the future needs of the California Almond industry, as well as the consumer, the community and the planet.
Water Management and Efficiency is one of four key components of the program. This initiative focuses on accelerating almond grower transition and adoption of research-based, commercially available and increasingly water-efficient irrigation management and scheduling tools. An Almond Irrigation Improvement Continuum has been developed to describe the steps of this transition. The continuum denotes three proficiency levels, with a comprehensive program of irrigation management and scheduling practices in five key areas, and how to effectively integrate them at each level:
- Measuring irrigation system performance and efficiency
- Estimating orchard water requirements based on evapotranspiration
- Determining the water applied
- Evaluating soil moisture
- Evaluating plant water status
Industry outreach will be done in partnership with many trusted and respected technical experts available to California Almond growers, including agricultural universities and programs, UC Cooperative Extension irrigation service providers, irrigation districts and other agencies.
Opportunities for Improvement
“Growers and others in the industry need to be more aware of the opportunities for improvement,” Cooper said. “There are 6,800 growers, and many of them are probably not aware of these programs or areas where they have opportunities to improve irrigation management.”
Cooper comes from the private sector, previously working for Irrigation Matters, Tulare, in irrigation technology and irrigation management. He specialized in irrigation management tools, including technology, sensors, water chemistry and water treatment.
Distribution Uniformity
One practice Cooper is eager to help growers with is system distribution uniformity, an essential first step in the continuum. “Understanding your system’s distribution uniformity is something that is overlooked, and is the one practice with the greatest impact on water conservation for almond growers,” he said.
“I’m excited about this opportunity and excited to go out and start meeting growers,” concludes Spencer. For more about this outreach program, please email Spencer Cooper or call him at (209) 604-3727.
