Lowered Cost
88,644,800 gallons of water dropped to 66,483,600 after treatment
Near the beginning of 2003, 10-125 acre pivot irrigated fields were treated by Gigot Aqua Solutions with Stock-o-Sorb S polymer or Agriblend. Agriblend is a blend of polymer and naturally occurring ionic amendments, most suited for very sandy soils.
Each of these 10 irrigated circles is using approximately 25% less water than the circle was using prior to the polymer treatment. How do we know this? The farmer cut his well output back by 25% when the field was treated.
By installing Agriblend either prior to planting or into the existing crop such as alfalfa, each of these treated circles saved 22,161,200 gallons in the 2003 irrigation season.
A reduction of 25% of the amount of water applied to an irrigated circle provides many additional benefits to the farmer.
Most of the chemicals used to produce a crop are applied to or into the soil. The effectiveness of those applied chemicals is directly related to the water applied to the field, which leaches those chemicals beyond their effective zone. Producers compensate by increasing application rates.
A Colorado State University test was conducted in an old dry riverbed of very coarse soils. The area treated with polymer demonstrated that no nitrates were allowed to leach beyond the root zone while the untreated area generated nitrate level increases 5.5 times the level of the treated portion of the field, 36" below the surface.
Increased Production
The Colorado State University test also showed that the treated portion of the field generated 31.2 bushels per acre more corn than the untreated portion of the field. The economics of the increase in yield paid for the installation of the polymer the first year while the benefits of the installation of increased yield and no leaching will continue for several more years.
Environmental Effects
By keeping the chemicals and fertilizers from leaching out of the soil and into the ground water supply, the farmer helps ensure a better environment for his family, his community, and the world. All while actually putting MORE money in his pocket.