home news forum careers events suppliers solutions markets expos directories catalogs resources advertise contacts
 
News Page

The news
and
beyond the news
Index of news sources
All Africa Asia/Pacific Europe Latin America Middle East North America
  Topics
  Species
Archives
News archive 1997-2008
 

California, USA - The Shafter Research Station equips state-of-the-art research greenhouses with networked LumiGrow LED crop lights


Shafter, California, USA
June 24, 2014

Advancing energy efficiency and scientific discovery at leading agricultural research facility

The Shafter Research Station, operated and managed by the San Joaquin Valley Quality Cotton Growers Association, today announced its selection of computer-controlled LumiGrow LED greenhouse lights for research greenhouses. The energy-efficient LumiGrow LED systems will hold down energy costs while they provide scientists conducting research at the facility with the latest greenhouse lighting technology.

Established in 1922 as the USDA Shafter Cotton Research Station, the site faced closure in 2012 when federal funds were withdrawn. A community of growers and elected officials rallied to save the site as a non-profit research facility. Today, Shafter Research remains a world-leading center for cotton research. Scientists in residence investigate critical challenges facing cotton growers including long-term drought and the soil-borne pathogen FOV4. Now found only in California’s San Joaquin Valley, FOV4 poses a threat to the $25 billion US cotton industry should it spread.

Clean Fresh Food of Wisconsin installed energy-efficient greenhouse lighting to achieve healthy, year-round crop growth.

Clean Fresh Food of Wisconsin installed energy-efficient greenhouse lighting to achieve healthy, year-round crop growth.

Since the change in leadership from the US government to a public-private partnership, a broader scope of research is underway at the 80-acre Shafter facility. This reflects the diversification of crops grown in the region, including carrots, cucumbers, grapes, squash, tomatoes and zucchini. Shafter Research is also the site of studies on honeybee health, of tremendous significance to the region’s almond growers as well as cross-pollinating crop producers around the globe.

Leading agricultural institutions and agribusinesses lease space at the Shafter Research, attracted by technologies like the LumiGrow LED light system. The LumiGrow solution enables the customization of greenhouse lighting based on factors including region, climate, crop type and desired crop characteristics. By tuning light levels and spectra in accordance with plant needs, greenhouse operators boost crop yield and quality while they gain electrical cost savings of up to 70 percent compared to conventional greenhouse lighting.

Reflecting on his family’s 100-year legacy of farming in the valley, Greg Palla, executive vice president and general manager of the San Joaquin Valley Quality Cotton Growers Association, said, “My father’s generation understood that if you are efficient with your resources they will sustain you. Technologies and practices must evolve along with our understanding of natural systems. Our decision to replace energy-wasting greenhouse lights with the energy-efficient LumiGrow LED system demonstrates our ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship.”

“We’re pleased that LumiGrow technology has been selected by Shafter Research to further the efforts of scientists working on sustainable agricultural research and production methods,” said Dr. Melanie Yelton, director of research, LumiGrow.

About The Shafter Research Station
The Shafter Research Station is located in the heart of California’s San Joaquin Valley, approximately 15 miles northwest of Bakersfield on the outskirts of the city of Shafter. Formerly known as The Shafter “Cotton” Research Station, the facility was established here in 1922 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with the mission ofestablishing California’s cotton industry based on developing high quality cotton varieties and maximizing their market potential. Through the cooperation and shared vision of growers and researchers, solutions developed over nearly a century at Shafter made a world-wide impact on quality cotton production methods and supplies. For more information, call (661) 237-0900 or visit www.shafter-research.com.

About LumiGrow, Inc.
LumiGrow, Inc., the leader in networked LED crop lighting, enables growers and scientists to reduce energy costs, achieve operational efficiencies and improve crop yield. LumiGrow offers a range of third-party proven solutions for use in greenhouses, controlled environment agriculture and research chambers. LumiGrow LED solutions are eligible for energy-efficiency subsidies from utilities across North America. The Company’s 3,000+ installations top global agribusinesses, Top 100 produce and flower growers, more than 200 universities and the USDA. Headquartered in Novato, California, LumiGrow is privately owned and operated. For more information, call (800) 514-0487 or visit
www.lumigrow.com.



More news from:
    . San Joaquin Valley Quality Cotton Growers Association
    . LumiGrow, Inc.


Website: http://www.sjvqualitycotton.com/

Published: June 24, 2014

The news item on this page is copyright by the organization where it originated
Fair use notice

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

  Archive of the news section


Copyright @ 1992-2024 SeedQuest - All rights reserved