Local Farmer Invents an Innovative Irrigation Solution

Poly Patch is fitted with a sewn in zipper and slips under the polytube

Local Farmer Invents an Innovative Irrigation Solution

Dudley Grower Helping Irrigation Company and Agricultural Industry with Invention

DUDLEY, MO., MAY 16, 2016 – In the ever changing agriculture economy, farmers are employing ingenuity to devise better ways to complete a task. A Missouri entrepreneur and farmer Jimmie Baker, of Dudley, recently approached Delta Plastics, the leading manufacturer of flexible irrigation polytube, with a new product that he invented. This invention was an effort to provide a quick, easy repair for the occasional polytube tear.

The Poly Patch is zipped around the tear in the polytube

“In today’s challenging economy, farmers like me are always look for ways to do things better at a lower cost,” said Baker. “Time is money, and I am happy that a big company like Delta Plastics decided to offer my product and that they believe, like I do, that my Poly Patch brings value to their irrigation polytube product line.”

Made of flexible polyethylene plastic, irrigation polytube is rolled out beside a field and filled with water. Holes are punched along the length of the tubing to allow a gentle continuous flow of water to irrigate a crop. Contact with sharp edged machinery or tools, even dogs and deer or other mishaps can sometimes rip the polytube, causing water to gush into the field where only a small flow may be needed.

Baker devised a solution to repair the rips and tears by getting behind his sewing machine and going to work.

He first cut a short section of the irrigation polytube, then snipped it lengthwise. Upon stitching an open-end zipper to the polytube edges the Poly Patch was born. To repair a tear, Baker explains that the Poly Patch is simply slipped flat under the polytube in the field then zipped closed over the hole. The resulting pressure created by the Poly Patch reduces escaping water to a trickle.

When Baker presented his invention to Delta Plastics, he was met with support and encouragement from the company and a commitment to work with him as he explored effective ways to produce, supply and market his invention.

“By engaging with farmers like Mr. Baker and encouraging their product vision, it not only helps us, it helps their business,” stated Sean Whiteley, Delta Plastics CEO. “Our goal is to continue to offer the best products and customer service possible in the irrigation industry. Products like the Poly Patch are great ways to continue providing innovative solutions to our customers.”

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About Delta Plastics

Delta Plastics is the leading manufacturer and supplier of irrigation polytube for the agriculture industry. We operate two facilities -- Our manufacturing plant in Little Rock, Ark., produces Delta Plastics polytube and Revolution Bag can liners, and our location in Stuttgart, Ark., is dedicated to our extensive recycling operations. Learn more about Delta Plastics and these and other accessories at www.deltaplastics.com.