"Fresh Insights": Reflecting on the 2023 Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference
By: Daniel Bromley and Brian Shade
Earlier this month, Netafim USA participated in the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference, a premier event bringing together growers, vendors, and other professionals to learn about the latest technologies and advancements in the industry. Hosted in Savannah, Georgia, the conference brought together not only growers and key dealers from across the Southeastern region but agriculture professionals nationwide.
Agriculture in the Southeast Region
The Southeastern region of the US supports a thriving agricultural industry with a diverse range of production, from tomatoes and cucumbers to strawberries and watermelons. Due to the region experiencing a range of weather patterns, growers face particular yet universally growing challenges.
Even with substantial precipitation, growers must manage resources such as fertigation inputs and water, especially during years when rainfall is low. And so, resource-saving tools such as precision irrigation are just as necessary in this region as in any other.
The Importance of Filtration
While Netafim always educates growers on the key benefits of precision irrigation, this year, we focused especially on filtration. While growers recognize the benefits of a quality filter, we drove home how the product brings a return on investment by not only reducing material costs, but time and labor costs as well. Attendees consulted with our experts and found the most suitable filter options (disc, sand, and/or screen) for their needs. As emphasized throughout the show, quality filtration systems can significantly boost crop yields, improve water quality, and increase the overall efficiency of irrigation systems.
3 Fruit and Vegetable Industry Insights
The Netafim USA booth saw a steady stream of visitors throughout the show, leading to plenty of engaging, educational interactions. Here are three industry insights from the show:
- Growers Care About Sustainable Technologies
With the industry facing increasing pressure to become more sustainable, growers are taking proactive steps to ensure that their businesses are both environmentally responsible and economically viable. As a result, the conference was well-utilized by growers as they filled up seminars, came in ready to tackle specific issues related to their farms, and were excited to learn about the latest innovations.
- Automated Solutions Are Top of Mind
At the conference, many growers expressed interest in automation solutions that would allow them to access real-time data and adjust their farming operations remotely. Growers are increasingly seeking to make data-driven decisions and improve the overall health and yield of their crops, ultimately leaving manual adjustments and guessing in the rearview mirror.
- Growers are Increasingly Receptive to Investing in their Production
In the past, growers may have hesitated to invest in new technology and instead looked for short-term cost-cutting measures. But with the cost of labor, fuel, and inputs on the rise, growers are seeking new technologies and advancements in the industry and are more willing than ever to invest in quality products that keep them competitive and sustainable.
At the conference, Netafim exhibited and demonstrated its leading products, including AlphaDisc™, Hydrocyclone, and FlexNet™, all well-received for how they meet the region's needs.
Our FlexNet™ pipe was praised for its durability, lightweight, and versatility, making it suitable for a wide range of row crops such as watermelon, strawberries, and tomatoes. AlphaDisc™ was also well-received, as our demonstration provided a behind-the-scenes look at its modular design, backflush flow rate, and smart controller capabilities. Furthermore, growers from the Southeast region expressed great interest in learning more about Netafim's sprinkler systems for frost protection.
Overall, our participation this year reinforces our commitment to driving sustainable practices across the agriculture industry. Netafim USA looks forward to participating in the conference again next year to continue to support the growth and success of growers in the Southeast region.
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