As we move through summer and all of the challenges weather brings to the agriculture industry, I wanted to take a moment to share some very important and exciting information. Delta Plastics, along with many other stakeholders, launched the H2O Initiative several years ago. This is a bold move to reduce irrigation water by 20% within the Mississippi Delta by the year 2020. I feel this is an important endeavor and have devoted multiple resources from Delta Plastics to help this happen.

By Dr. Jason Krutz
Associate Extension/Research Professor, Mississippi State University

This study by Dr. Krutz outlines how farmers can benefit from combining these scientific scheduling tools on soybean grain yield and irrigation water use for more efficient irrigation and water conservation:

As we move forward into 2016, I would like to summarize a few high points from last year.  For Delta Plastics it was a year of growth and change due to many factors from new markets, to low commodity prices and a new regulatory landscape (New Farm Bill) which impacts all corners of the agricultural world.  So here are a few milestones and accomplishments from last year.

We are pleased to share this update from our friends at The Nature Conservancy.

I wanted to share a quick update on Delta Plastics and the many exciting things in our future. The spring and early summer was much wetter than those of us in the agricultural industry are accustomed to. It certainly created delayed planting and other problems for many farmers. As the constant rain ends and the hot days of July and August arrive, we are all set to serve our customers efficiently and quickly. As always, superior customer service to both our dealers and farmers is our first priority and our sales and customer service teams are ready. We look forward to working with you throughout the summer.

One of the true joys this holiday season is the opportunity to convey our sincere thanks for your business and support over the last year.

With your help and partnership, we have accomplished much these last 12 months.

A few highlights: 

Delta Plastics is proud to partner with the nation’s leaders in agriculture and conservation in our mission to preserve the Mississippi Delta’s irrigation water supply.

Since announcing the Delta Plastics H20 Initiative in August, we have worked alongside our stakeholders to begin a multi-state campaign to educate and arm farmers with the tools they deserve to bring 21st century sustainability practices to irrigation. Our dream is that every grower in the Delta has access to our free irrigation planning software Pipe Planner, and realizes the tremendous value this web-based technology can bring not only to water conservation, but to their bottom line.

Time when our growers are busy cutting crops and rolling up used polytube, and we are busy directing our fleet of trucks across the Delta to collect that used polytube and deliver it to our Stuttgart, Ark. facility for washing and recycling.

This complex symphony of activity and enterprise has grown from a fledgling, hair-on-fire operation only 20 short years ago to one of the largest, most sophisticated collection programs for heavily-soiled used plastic anywhere in the world.

And while some elements of our recycling efforts have not changed (in many ways, we still operate as if with hair aflame), it is instructive to reflect on how far we have come over these past 20 years.

I am very excited to announce a new program which will change the future of farming. Delta Plastics H2O Initiative – A commitment to reduce irrigation water use by 20% within the Mississippi Delta by the year 2020.

This Initiative will provide Pipe Planner free to all farmers and we encourage farmers to utilize this valuable tool and join our team in preserving the Mississippi Delta’s irrigation water supply. We are creating a partnership between Delta Plastics, the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Mississippi State University and LSU AgCenter as well as other universities within the region. There will be educational forums for farmers, extension agents and private consultants focused on the implementation of Pipe Planner.