SWRT For Contractors
SWRT Process for Contractors
If your farmer customers have significant acres of irrigated or dryland sandy cropland you may want to consider becoming involved in the installation of SWRT subsurface membranes. This technology is new and was developed by Scientists at Michigan State University to address the excessive moisture permeability of sandy soils. It has been tested over multiple seasons and the results from MSU as well as replicated trials in other States and many additional countries with 19 different crops. Retaining more water and nutrients in the root zone of sands produces more biomass and crop yields for your customers
SWRT Process for Contractors
Membranes can be installed in flat to gently rolling soils with a tractor pulling the present model 4 chisel Membrane Installation Machine (MIM) at a fast-walking speed across the field. Installation follows the contour of the land and is not installed to grade. Membrane rolls are quickly replaced by swapping out, cutting and joining the spent roll to the new roll. The length of the membrane on each roll is 3,300 feet and the system will require 16 rolls of membrane or 4 complete roll changes per acre. Acreage covered per day depends on the experience of the crew and the length of time worked during the day but four to five acres and possibly more per day are achievable. A crew of two is recommended with a tractor operator who is familiar with GPS and auto steer operations and a ground crew member to assist with starts and endings of runs, roll changes and other needs. The skills to operate the MIM properly can be learned quickly and could be readily incorporated into the customer offerings from drainage and land improvement contractors.
SWRT Process for Contractors
Membrane tails from the MIM entering and lifting out of the soil will need to be cut below tillage depth and removed after installation. This can be done by hand with a long narrow spade or similar tool. The ROI for contractors becoming involved in subsurface membrane installation is dependent on many factors. The cost of membrane which is ordered and purchased through SWRT Solutions Inc. will be kept as low as possible by seeking large quantity discounts for our contractor customers. This membrane will be delivered directly to contractors using SWRT MIM’s.
Another factor determining ROI for contractors is what price the farmers are willing to pay for installation. In the early stage of bringing this technology to your service area you can expect farmers to do 5 or 10 acres to evaluate the benefits to their land and crops. Call backs for larger installations will follow when farmers see the savings in water, nutrients and the increases in biomass and crop production on these formerly poorly producing soils.