Farmers reduce water and electricity use with MultiFIX
Central Valley pistachio grower sees water and power use plummet after applying MultiFIX
Discover how MultiFIX can revolutionize your farming operation by saving water, reducing irrigation time, and lowering energy costs—all while improving the health and quality of your crops. In this detailed case study, learn how Jose, managing pistachio orchards in Central California, achieved remarkable results with MultiFIX: saving more than 64 acre-feet of water, cutting irrigation hours by 33%, and reducing electricity bills by $800 a month.
Success with MultiFIX
Jose initially evaluated the impact of MultiFIX on a 5-acre block of clay soil on June 29, applying 1 gallon per acre. He immediately noticed a tremendous difference in water penetration—the water soaked into the soil efficiently with no flooding. Even more impressively, the soil remained moist for five days.
On July 8, Jose applied ¾ gallon per acre to his 40-acre block of sandy soil. He noticed that the soil stayed moist for longer periods, and his equipment could enter the orchard without sinking into the mud—a key improvement for operational efficiency.
Impressive Water Savings and Cost Efficiency
The cost of MultiFIX is typically $80 per gallon, and with canal water priced at $100 per acre-foot for this orchard, the savings are substantial. By significantly reducing his irrigation time, Jose quickly saw a return on his investment.
“I’m saving an average of 4.6 acre-feet of water per week on the 40-acre block,” Jose shared.
Before applying MultiFIX, Jose irrigated the 40-acre block on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, using a total of 72 hours per week. Now, he runs the pumps only on Saturday and Sunday, for a total of 48 hours per week. This change in irrigation schedule not only saves water but also reduces energy consumption.
Interestingly, the irrigation time and water costs for Jose’s orchard now align with cost comparisons from the University of California Davis for standard pistachio orchard operations, further confirming the effectiveness of MultiFIX in reducing both water usage and irrigation costs.
Pistachio Quality Boost
The results weren’t just financial—Jose’s pistachio crop benefited as well. A representative from the pistachio processor evaluated the nuts on his trees and commented that they were larger than most of the orchards she had visited. This is another testament to how MultiFIX not only saves water and energy but also contributes to better crop health and size.