Grower Resources

Algae color is one way to assess algae’s health and function. The color can range from green, which indicates healthy algae, to yellow, red, brown, and clear. Here’s a simple guide on algae colors. Keep in mind that changes in the algae color will not affect its ability to be a food source for soil microbes, unless it’s orange or red, indicating it’s been infected with an algaecide. If algae turns red, orange, or clear, the MyLand team drains the algae into field, cleans the system, and reintroduces healthy algae. Algae grows phenomenally quickly, so a system restart won’t affect the overall impact of the MyLand Service.

Algae lifespan varies by species. The average expected lifespan is three or more weeks.

When algae is introduced into a MyLand System for the first time, there is an acclimation period while MyLand observes how the algae responds in the field environment versus the lab environment. To optimize the algae for your land, we may need to change algae strains based on in-field performance.

As part of the MyLand Service, our team periodically collects samples of the algae/water solution, which are analyzed by our lab to determine the health of the algae and quality of the water. Based on the results, we may make adjustments for optimal algae health.

The MyLand Service includes all maintenance, whether scheduled or unscheduled, with our field team typically visiting each farm monthly. During these visits, the service involves cleaning the system, introducing and replenishing algae, maintaining water treatment supplies and filters, recording pump settings, taking soil samples, and performing a full system inspection.

The algae growing inside the system is a living organism that can respond differently to environmental conditions throughout the year. Online time reflects both this natural fluctuation and the needs of the farm. On average over the course of a year, systems are planned to be online at least 70% of the time. Even if it seems like a system may be down, the algae are hard at work in your soil, and the MyLand team continues to support your service remotely.

There are two possibilities, depending on whether irrigation water is available to the system and the local temperature.

If irrigation water is still available to the system, algae generation can continue if temperatures are above freezing.

If water is not available or freezing conditions are expected, the MyLand team will empty and dry the unit, and APV(s) will likely be removed.

The MyLand Service is specially configured to align with your irrigation system so that algae is delivered during a growing cycle. There are distribution pumps on each MyLand System that are programmed to flow algae via the irrigation cycle provided by the Grower. If the irrigation rate changes, the distribution pump settings will also need to be changed to prevent any disruption in Service.

One benefit of the MyLand Service is the partnership that we form with our growers to support their operation throughout the seasons. As part of this, your Grower Relations team and Service Technicians will connect with you about the details of your operation, from treated fields to irrigation specifics. Here are some details that we’ll need to know:

• Which field(s) will be treated and which will not
• When water will first be available for irrigation for start of season
• How often irrigation will take place
• How long each irrigation cycle will last
• When water will be shut-off for end of season

It’s critical to communicate with your Grower Relations rep about any changes in your irrigation schedule. Algae distribution is optimized for your irrigation duration and frequency. The algae flows at the same rate as the irrigation cycle, so any changes in irrigation will require a MyLand Service Technician to adjust these settings.

Most MyLand Systems require between 120-480 watts of power. Short power outages usually do not affect the MyLand System. However, prolonged outages of more than 24 hours may result in a required system reset and cleaning. If a prolonged outage occurs, please inform your MyLand Grower Relations rep when power is restored.

Since the MyLand Service is rooted in live, native microalgae, any algicides can interrupt the System’s typical processes. If the source water is or will knowingly be treated with an algaecide, please inform MyLand so that corrective actions can be taken, up to and including a System restart. Algae grow phenomenally quickly, so a system restart shouldn’t significantly disrupt your service.

Yes, you can still distribute algae. There is a separate distribution pump that pumps algae from the distribution tank to the irrigation system.

No, the algae in a MyLand System will not clog your irrigation system. The microalgae are suspended in water and are microscopic. As a precaution, a screen is installed on the system to filter out any large particles before it reaches the irrigation system.