Ag Mobile Lab Program

What can the Ag Mobile Lab do for you?

The Ag Mobile Lab provides free pump tests, irrigation system evaluations, and technical assistance on fertilizer and irrigation management. The pump tests tell growers their pumping costs per acre-foot and the efficiency of their pumps. The irrigation evaluation tells growers their water use efficiency. The fertilizer and irrigation management assistance includes soil, plant, and water testing, as well as training on record keeping and monitoring approaches. You can choose whether you want all three services or just need one or two services.

Why should you use the Ag Mobile Lab?

The program provides growers the best available documentation for compliance with requirements of conditional discharge permits. In addition, the program provides assistance in making fertilizer decisions; irrigation scheduling assistance; and data for your farm plan and agriculture waiver compliance.

How long does an irrigation system evaluation take?

Timing can vary depending on the size of the property and the complexity of the irrigation system. For drip, micro, and sprinkler systems, evaluation can take between two and four hours to complete. Furrow and border strip tests take somewhat longer. You will get the most out of the evaluation if you can work through the entire process.

At the end of the test, the specialist will give you preliminary information. Final results are usually complete in 7 to 10 days. The specialist will call you and schedule an appointment to go over the results and will mail your results to you for your review prior to the meeting.

What is included in Irrigation and Fertilizer Management Assistance?

A consultant will visit your field several times in the growing season. During these visits, the consultant will talk with you about what your interests and needs are, collect and analyze samples, provide you with sampling results, and give you information on irrigation scheduling and crop monitoring.

Benefits

The Ag Mobile Lab offers commercial field and greenhouse growers irrigation and fertilizer management consultation at no cost. The goal of the Ag Mobile Lab is to make sure fertilizer is used efficiently throughout the watersheds draining to Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary; encourage and sustain a viable agriculture industry in the five county area; aid compliance with the Regional Water Quality Control Board conditional waiver provisions, and increase water and fertilizer use efficiency to hold costs down and improve yields.

Participation in the Ag Mobile Lab is FREE!

Contact the Ag Mobile Lab at 1-800-675-6602. To sign up for the program please submit an online request form or call the number above.