Agriplastics Community

In this episode of the Agriplastics Community Podcast, we explore OASIS SecondSky™, an innovative cover film designed to help growers manage crops in hot climates by reducing heat stress while maintaining the light plants need for photosynthesis. Hosted by Darius Ford, this conversation features Nicholas Augsburger, Director of Product and Growth at iyris, the company behind SecondSky™ technology, developed in collaboration with Armando Alvarez Group under the OASIS umbrella brand. Throughout the episode, we discuss the main challenges growers face in warm regions, especially in berry production: excessive heat, high radiation, water demand, fruit quality, labor pressure, and the need to maintain productivity under increasingly demanding climate conditions. Nicholas explains how OASIS SecondSky™ works as a "smart shade" solution: filtering sunlight to block part of the near-infrared radiation that contributes to heat stress, while allowing high transmission of photosynthetically active light. The episode also covers field results, temperature reduction during peak heat hours, the role of data-driven validation, grower experiences, operational benefits, recyclability, and the potential of this technology beyond berries and across different markets. If you are interested in protected agriculture, agricultural plastics, climate adaptation, crop quality, or technologies that help growers produce more efficiently in hot environments, this episode offers a practical look at how cover films can become a key tool for the future of farming. For more information, technical resources, and to get in touch with our team, visit: www.agriplasticscommunity.com    

In this episode, we welcome a very special guest: Solar Shrink®, the technology redefining agricultural mulching. Today, we sit down with its creators, Mark and Robert Trenchard, to explore how this solution is transforming crop performance and field efficiency. Learn how this innovative idea came to life, what major challenges it solves compared to traditional mulch films, and why its unique design allows the plastic to shrink in a controlled way under solar radiation, creating a tight, uniform fit to the soil. We discuss strength, installation, machinery compatibility, sustainability, and the direct benefits farmers are experiencing in real production systems. We also address some of the most frequently asked questions from one of our recent webinars:   Can it be installed inside a greenhouse? Does it work on flat soil or only on raised beds? Can it be installed manually? What real-world results are growers reporting?   If you want to understand how technologies like Solar Shrink® are shaping the future of agricultural mulching, making it more efficient, lighter, and more sustainable, this episode is for you. For more information, technical resources, and to get in touch with our team, visit: www.agriplasticscommunity.com

In this new episode, Trevor Wells interviews Jose Jon García Allen, representative of Emco Cal, who is in Huelva, Spain a strategic place for the cultivation of strawberries. Ekland Marketing Co., better known as EMCO CAL, introduces competitive strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, blueberry and citrus varieties to growers around the world. A company with more than 40 years of experience working with nurseries, growers and traders in more than 70 countries. They talk about:  The role of breeders and the evolving challenges faced by farmers.  Innovations behind "Rose Pearl," the new strawberry variety showcased at Fruit Logistica.  The future of white strawberries and the significance of agricultural plastics in their production.  Insights into various berry varieties developed by EMCO CAL.     For more information on this or any other topic related to agriculture, we invite you to visit our website https://agriplasticscommunity.com/ or send us an email to [email protected]. 

In this new episode, Trevor Wells interviews John Wierenga, co-owner of the Canadian company Neeralta Manufacturing, to delve into market trends in the temporary storage of grains and the machinery needed to perform this task, where technology and innovation are increasingly involved as key elements to make the process more efficient and sustainable. We talked about:   Market trends Farmers' concerns about using bags for grain storage Purpose of temporary grain storage Necessary machinery and its characteristics Sustainability as a key factor in the agricultural sector     For more information on this or any other topic related to agriculture, we invite you to visit our website https://agriplasticscommunity.com/ or send us an email to [email protected].   

In this new episode we talk about "Wastewater reuse as agricultural irrigation water" with Sebastián Ronda, Commercial Delegate for Middle East and North Africa of Sotrafa's Geosynthetics Division, experts in the manufacture of geomembranes and all types of geosynthetics. Specifically, we answer questions such as: What is water reuse and why is it necessary to use wastewater as irrigation water. Economic advantages in the price consumed by the agricultural sector. Steps would need to be taken for the reuse of wastewater. Requirements or parameters that water must meet to be considered optimal for irrigation. For more information on irrigation processes in agriculture and other relevant information for the sector, please visit our website: www.agriplasticscommunity.com or send us an email to [email protected]