People who haven’t been to Arizona assume that it’s all desert. Not so. On the contrary, the state has a diverse terrain and elevation, resulting in various localized climatic conditions. And these factors bring much benefit to Arizona’s agriculture, which is one of the state’s vital industries. 

Southern Arizona is mostly desert. The region is known for its thriving cattle, sheep, and dairy industry and abundant crops like cotton, lettuce, and hay. In addition, the state also grows different types of commercial citrus and melons. Arizona ranks second in the country in cantaloupe, honeydew melon, and lemon production. 

In Arizona deserts, farmers rely on an ample irrigation supply to grow their crops. Arizona has one of the world’s most efficient irrigation networks, and irrigation brings an economic boom to the state. Its massive irrigation projects provide water to over 15,600 farms and help generate around $17 billion for the state. 

Other fascinating facts about the farm industry in Arizona: 

Agriculture in Arizona is, no doubt, a billion-dollar industry. As of 2018, agriculture has earned a total of $23.3 billion and brought in around 138,000 jobs.  

ORCHARDS

Environmist

1) Domed sprayers for controlled application of herbicides: 

• 1524 Vineyard Sprayer Tow Type – Capable of treating up to 8 feet widths (11.5 feet when fitted with Undivina 600 CDA extensions). Undivina 1524 CDA offers reasonable but economic center-row weed control. The machine is highly popular in orchards, vineyards, and amenity situations like roadsides, parks, and fence lines.
• Spraydome 3049 CDA - The Spraydome 3049 CDA range of drift-reducing sprayers has been specifically designed and developed for treating weeds growing between rows of fruit and nut trees. Featuring extendable wings, the sprayers’ adjustable width and wide reach make them ideal for use in tree crops. It is also popular in controlling weeds in vineyards with varying row widths and a host of amenity situations, including spraying parks, roadsides, and fence lines. The machine’s shielded design helps in preventing spray drift and allows the sprayers to be used even in windy conditions. This means there’s no drift reduction in chemical usage as the product is deposited in its intended target, reducing the loss of chemicals in the atmosphere.

Falc

1) Shredder for pruning off the trees:

• Cat 1000 F – Standard features include:
  • The “F” series has one position manual offset. “SP” offsets hydraulically
  • 5.5” rear roller for level cutting and height adjustment.
  • 20-60 HP required.
  • Electronically balanced rotor and long-life rotor bearings for smooth operation
  • Rotor diameter is 4.7.”
  • Hardened steel hammers are standard
  • Type 1 blades are also available
  • Harvest tines and front wheels are available as optional equipment.

2) Grass shredder for weeds between tree rows  

• Condor 1600 – Rear roller
  • Gearbox with internal freewheel.
  • Shredder Bar
  • Rear hood and bar for harvest tines.
  • 540 rpm PTO shaft
  • F model has two position hitch, while the SP model has hydraulic offset.

3) Tillers for ground prep and maintenance between rows of trees and rotary tillers for ground maintenance between rows of grapes, berries, etc.

• A900 – (also known as Type A):
  • For tractors, 30-hp max.
  • 540 rpm PTO with shear bolt protection
  • Low maintenance chain side drive.
  • Single-speed gearbox; Rotor speed is 312 rpm
  • Four blades per flange
• B-1250 Super –
  • Single-speed gearbox (250 rpm)
  • For 20 to 50-hp tractors
  • Model BS: 4 blades per flange
  • Model BS – Super: 6 blades per flange
  • 540 rpm PTO with shear bolt
  • Depth control skids standard
• C-1300 Super –
  • Single-speed or four-speed gearbox (206 rpm)
  • For 40 to 70-hp tractors
  • Gear side drive
  • 540 rpm PTO with slip clutch protection.
  • Six blades per flange
  • Depth control skids
• GL 3000: 
  • For 120 - 220 horsepower tractors.
  • 1000 rpm PTO w/ torque limiter
  • Single-speed gearbox. Alternate gear ratios are available on request.
  • Oil cooler std 4000-4500, optional on 3000-3500.
  • Category II/III hitch

4) Specialized shredder for working between the trees

• Jolly 1650 Shredder – Ideal for cutting or light pruning, grass, brambles, and bushes.

Rinieri

1) Ground maintenance around and between the trees

• CM – Tine Cultivator and Hydraulic Frame – Rinieri’s Cultivator “CM” with special supports “Stone-Jumper” of working groups equipped with anti-shock springs. The frame is width-adjustable, and a cylinder for vertical hydraulic lifting is available to decrease the overall and move easier. The rear roller adjusts the working depth between 15 cm and 25 cm. A model is available with 5 – 7 – 9 – 11 spades.
• Hoeing Plough – The hydraulic hoeing plough is linked to a fixed mount 3-point linkage complete with an independent hydraulic distributor for the hoeing of vineyards. It is possible to mount one or two front furrows to increase the working width and furrows for row ridging.

2) Machine for removing unwanted weeds and suckers at the base of the trees

• Bio Dynamic Orchard Wide – The recent Bio-Dynamic product line is designed for fast weeding in vineyards and orchards with a working speed of up to 12 km/h. The Bio-Dynamic products have two characteristic features: The Bio-Disc tills the soil and moves it towards the plants, and the Bio-Star works the soil between the plants.

ROW CROPS

Falc

1) Shredders for removing crop residue after harvest and topping onions before harvest. 

• Master 1800 Shredder – Professional lateral shredder for grass, bushes, and brambles in orchards, citrus groves, olive groves, and for roadside maintenance.
• Master Special 1600 Shredder - Professional lateral shredder for grass, bushes, and brambles in orchards, citrus groves, olive groves, and for roadside maintenance.
• Next 1500 Hydraulic Shredder - Used for chopping grass, light-to-medium prunings, and vegetal residuals in general.

2) Tillers for soil prep

• A900  – (also known as Type A):
  • For tractors, 30-hp max.
  • 540 rpm PTO with shear bolt protection
  • Low maintenance chain side drive.
  • Single-speed gearbox; Rotor speed is 312 rpm
  • Four blades per flange
• Gamma 5000 –
  • Rear trailing board extensions
  • 380 HP rated, single speed gearbox with oil cooler
  • Dual end drives
  • 1000 rpm PTO with torque limiter
  • 330 rpm rotor
  • Durafaced tiller blades; 6 blades per flange
  • Quick hitch compatible Cat III hitch
  • Also available with a spike rotor.
• Kappa 4000 –
  • For 190-300 hp tractors
  • 1000 rpm PTO with torque limiter
  • 3-speed lever control gearbox. Rotor speeds - 246, 308, and 356 rpm.
  • Cat III hitch & rear PTO
  • Optional equipment includes depth control wheels, depth control skids, cage roller, and packer roller
  • Spike-type rotors and straight-blade rotors are available.
  • Double wall rotor tube on 4000 & 4500.

3) Spaders used to incorporate crop residue into the ground in organic operations

• Mini Toro 1000 –
  • 40 to 80-inch working width
  • 4 Speed Gearbox
  • For 30-60 horsepower Tractors
  • PTO shaft with clutch
  • Cage Protection
• Panda 1000 –
  • 35 to 58-inch working width
  • 4 Speed Gearbox
  • For 20 - 35 horsepower Tractors
  • PTO shaft Less clutch
  • Cage Protection
  • The tractor must be equipped with creeper gear.

Massano

1) Soil prep and bed forming before planting new crops 

• RSE-Plus 2600R  –
  • For 140 to 300 hp tractors.
  • Built with a working width from 340 to 580 cm and a working depth from 15 to 30 cm.
  • Used mainly by large horticultural companies to improve the seeding preparation in one pass.
• RSF 80” Tiller / Bed Shaper –
  • For 80-150 HP tractor
  • The soil carrying stones or vegetable debris strikes a vertical “comb” of spring steel tines where loose, clean soil passes through while stones, root clumps, clods, etc., are screened out, falling to the bottom of the cut to be buried by clean soil.
  • Reverse rotating tiller that works soil and throws dirt
  • Up over the tiller’s rotor to the rear.
  • 80-inch width.

Stanhay

1) Vegetable planters, both vacuum, and belt

• 785 Row with 120mm Wheel – This is the original 785 Stanhay air drill and is still available today. Based on the design of the 870, it is a dependable drill with thousands of rows still in use around the world.
• 820 Push Drill - Highly versatile, the 820 Push Drill is designed for planting small areas and quantities of seeds at a time. The large-diameter rear cage wheel and ergonomic handles make it easy to push, while the four-speed drive gives four seed spacings per seed belt.
• 840 Wheel Unit Planter - It is designed to fit behind compact and small tractors or ATVs. It is ideal for the smaller grower or market gardener drive from the large-diameter rear cage wheel. The four-speed pulley drive gives four seed spacings per seed belt.

Gaspardo

Vacuum planter for vegetable seeds. The following lists Gaspardo’s MTR range of planters:

MTR Precision Planters – Gaspardo’s ten years of experience in the precision planter sector have resulted in the MTR range of planters. The MTR planter is the entry model of a homonymous range of precision planters, which are multi-purpose and suitable for planting in well-tilled and minimally-worked soils, ensuring maximum precision.

1) Fixed frame planters – The fixed frame MTR model is available in multiple versions ranging from 4 to 12 rows with inter-row spacing of 45, 60, and 75 cm.

• MTR – The MTR planter is the ideal solution for small farmers and farms with no width limitations for road travel. It delivers the best planting results every time. Available with both micro granulators and fertilizer spreaders.
• Mistral - 8.5-meter-long fixed-frame planter with 12 or 18 rows for high production demands. The solution combines performance and value for money. It is perfect for bigger businesses requiring transport methods suitable for long distances. It has a light version and a built-in trolley for faster and easier transport.

2) Twin-row mounted planter –

• MTR Twin – Precision planter model designed to plant twin rows in one pass for more improved and precise seed placement. It is particularly useful for crops like maize, soya, and onions. This machine is an innovative solution that ensures an increase in crop yield and a consequent cost reduction.
• Quincoince System - It is a metering system synchronized between the MTR Narrow twin-row units. It is designed to precisely stagger the seed discs for placement in a triangular pattern with the utmost reliability and accuracy.

3) Telescopic-frame mounted planters –

• MTE – It is the practical, reliable, and ideal partner for small and medium farmers mainly concerned with planting certain crops like maize, involving frequent road travel. It comes with 6 or 7 planting units and has a 4.3-meter frame with the outer units retracting telescopically to 3.0 or 3.4 meters.
• Marta - Marta is ideal for planting maize, onions, and other crops planted in widely spaced rows, minimizing width for road travel with its hydraulically retracted outer units. Marta provides the optimal solution for areas with narrow lanes or roads with poor access.

4) Telescopic planters with variable row spacing –

• Monica – Monica is the mounted retractable telescopic planter. You can adjust its length to 2.55 meters. Its versatile design allows you to work with a row spacing from 45 to 75 cm for planting different crops with a single investment. It also comes with double-disc or Suffolk fertilizer coulters. Monica is a benchmark for farmers and contractors for planting crops with different row spacing.

5) Wing-fold planters with variable row spacing –

• Magica – Magica is renowned for its operational versatility, thanks to its wing-fold planter, which provides adjustable row spacing, and a Suffolk coulter fertilizer placement system.

6) Wing-fold mounted planters –

• Mirka – It is the ideal solution for professionals planning to carry out planting and localized fertilizer placement using a single-rear mounted implement. The 8-row model with 75-cm row spacing has a hydraulically operated wing-fold frame for a narrow transport width of only 3.0 meters.
• Manta – It is ideal for planting on any soil condition. It has excellent operational capacities with practical use. The wing-fold feature makes this machine ideal to use on ground that has not been uniformly tilled or on non-linear fields.
• Manta XL – The Manta XL has a hydraulic folding frame featuring telescoping sections. Due to its 12 units with a 75 cm-row spacing, it has high productivity and the ability to uneven ground contours, making it an ideal piece of equipment built to cater to the demands of planting professionals, contractors, and substantial farms.

Robocrop

It has automated weed removal that replaces costly hand labor.

• Robocrop InRow Bio Weeder – It can weed most fruit and vegetable crops planted with regular planting and row spacing.
  • It has the same robust rotary weeding system as the Robocrop InRow Classic.
  • It has the same precise disc steer system as the classic one.
  • It features a high-speed rotary action that causes minimum soil spatter and low crop contamination.
  • It has enhanced image analysis.
  • Rear mounted to any cat 2 tractor linkage.
  • It operates from the tractor hydraulic system.
  • Excellent visibility of the weeding operation from the tractor seat.
  • Precise height control for exact weeding precision.
  • Tough enough for heavy land situations.
  • Optional spot applicator/drencher.

MOM

1) Mulch plastic removal post-harvest in fields where vegetables have been transplanted.

• Extractor Retriever – It is designed to collect plastic sheets from greenhouses across the field at the end of the vegetable growing season.
• Mulch Retriever – Machine designed to collect plastic sheets from greenhouses and across the field.

2) Drip tape removal post-harvest to allow bed prep for the following crop

• Double Drip Tape Retriever  – Machine designed to collect and wrap the dripline of the drip irrigation system of medium-large companies.

Other interesting sides of farming in Arizona:

Organic farming

While it is still relatively small compared to traditional farming, organic farming does well in the Grand Canyon State. This emerging agriculture trend and direct-to-consumer marketing activities have slowly but surely become a lucrative industry. In 2019 alone, sales of organic agriculture production in the state totaled $203 million. As of 2021, Arizona has 62 certified organic farms. These numbers prove that organic farming is no longer a niche market as it caters to a broader consumer base.

Hopi dry farming

Agriculture is a vital part of the Hopi, a Native American indigenous group now living in the Hopi Reservation in Arizona. The Hopis are one of the oldest existing cultures in recorded history, dating back thousands of years.

Hopi farmers mostly follow a technique called “dry farming,” or “dryland farming,” the cultivation of crops without irrigation during a dry season, usually in a region that gets less than 20 inches of rain yearly. Dry farming depends on the moisture in the soil left by the rainy season. The selection of crops and farming methods make the best use of the limited moisture in the soil.

Many Hopi descendants work to sustain this farming tradition that their ancestors practiced for over 2,000 years. Hopi farmers cultivate crops like beans, carrots, corn, melons, onions, and peas. While modern-day Hopi farmers follow the traditional dry farming methods, they use modern equipment to facilitate cultivation and planting and boost harvest. Whereas their predecessors used horse-drawn plows, today’s Hopi farmers have replaced them with tractors.

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