De Jager Farms Achieves Sustainability and Profitability Goals

With Netafim’s SDI-E System

De Jager Farms is an 18,000-acre farm that grows corn, wheat, and alfalfa for its 25,000 dairy cattle. As one of California’s largest dairies, it needed to improve operational efficiency. Water management also posed a significant challenge. De Jager is located between two water districts and relies heavily on groundwater for irrigation, so it needed a solution that maximizes water conservation and other inputs, especially in light of California’s increasingly persistent droughts.

These challenges compelled the farm to seek out innovative solutions for managing its resources. De Jager, in collaboration with Netafim USA, Sustainable Conservation, Western United Dairies, and McRee Farms, played a key role in bringing SDI-E to fruition.

SDI-E is the world’s first subsurface drip irrigation system enabling the application of dairy effluent in place of synthetic fertilizers. The system blends effluent with freshwater to create a natural fertilizer blend that is then applied directly to the roots of crops, reducing input costs, conserving water, and increasing efficiency.

De Jager has significantly benefited from implementing the system. SDI-E increases irrigation uniformity and crop yields while using significantly less water. It also reduces labor costs thanks to the system’s remote monitoring capabilities, which eliminates the need for manual irrigation and fertilizer application.

By applying effluent underground, SDI-E also reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90%, aligning the farm with the U.S. Dairy Net Zero initiative, which aims to achieve net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases in dairy production

SDI-E is a valuable tool for dairy farmers seeking long-term sustainable solutions. Simply put, SDI-E is a one-two punch for farms that are water-scarce and want to utilize their livestock byproducts. It is also an excellent way for farmers to navigate the restrictions that come with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).

Through innovation, SDI-E has the potential to transform dairies across the nation.

To learn more visit netafimusa.com.