Source:  CAROLINA FARM STEWARDS ASSOCIATION, 12/13/17


Efficient water-use, decreased labor and operating costs, reduced disease pressure, decreased runoff and erosion are a few of the benefits of using drip irrigation widely known throughout the produce industry. However, a lesser-known benefit of implementing drip irrigation on your farm deals directly with minimizing your food safety risks and may contribute to passing your GAP Audit. When it comes to on-farm food safety, irrigation water is and always will be a main concern. An important aspect of an on-farm food safety plan includes a water system risk assessment for irrigation water that takes into consideration the historical testing results of the water source, characteristics of the crop, stage of the crop and the method of application.

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