How do you cope drought situations?
In the last month, most regions across Europe have been affected by a deficit of precipitation ( see bellow map). In most of these regions, monthly rainfall registered less than 50 mm, which for most of the crops is at the lower limits. If in the coming months, the water deficit will continue we will face a severe drought situation in all Europe.
Source: http://edo.jrc.ec.europa.eu/edov2/php/index.php?id=111
This will result in a reduced yield potential of crops unless the fields are irrigated. Compensating this water shortage by irrigation will only build up input costs and therefore a significant reduction in profit. Therefore, in this situation, the main goal of farmers will be not to maximize their crop potential but to maintain an average level of yield.
Let’s have a look how much it takes to maintain an average yield of your crop!
Extra irrigation – 2400-3600 m3 water/ha per season = € 500-700*
3600 m3 water needs 45 hours of pumping (based on a pump with a flow of 80 m3 water/hour)
Average diesel consumption = 13 liters/hour * 45 hours = 585 liters of diesel/ha
*(including only the cost of fuel and water, without taking into account the labor cost).
Of course, the extra cost may vary from a region to another due to different price range for inputs.
How can you easily save up to 20% of these costs?
It has been proven by official trial stations across the world that by using H2Flo growers may reduce their irrigation program by 20%-25% while maintaining or even increasing yields. For example, last year in France, H2Flo provided an extra yield income of 2,413 euro/ha compared to grower practice, without taking into account the extra cost of water, pumping cost and labor. Click here for the full trial report!
H2Flo is a unique blend of surfactants designed to better moving, lateral and vertical, water and fertilizers through the soil profile. H2Flo leads the way in water conservation products with the highest concentration of active ingredients (88%) of the most advanced wetting agents available. H2Flo allows growers and farmers to use less water and therefore to save water, time and money.
More information about H2Flo can be found here!
ICL Specialty Fertilizers wishes you a successful season!