AGRICULTURE

AGRICULTURAL PIPING

Piping systems for water distribution, fertilizer handling, irrigation networks, and more.

Modern agricultural operations rely on durable piping systems for water distribution, fertilizer handling, irrigation networks, manure and slurry transport, and washdown systems. These environments often involve corrosive fertilizers, abrasive solids, seasonal temperature extremes, and remote installations where long-term reliability and low maintenance are essential.

At Douglas Barwick, we have decades of experience producing piping systems that stand the test of time with performance you can bet the farm on.

Agriculture Piping Considerations

We manufacture welded pipe, fittings, flanges, fabricated spool pieces, and custom assemblies for agricultural infrastructure and processing systems. Our piping systems are designed to perform in demanding agricultural environments while addressing key concerns such as:

  • Corrosion resistance from fertilizers, manure, and washdown chemicals,
  • Abrasion resistance for slurry and solids handling systems,
  • Freeze/thaw durability for seasonal climates,
  • Low-maintenance performance in remote or distributed installations,
  • Reliable operation in irrigation and bulk water systems, and
  • Compliance with potable and agricultural water standards.

Applications for Agricultural Piping

Irrigation Infrastructure

Stainless steel piping is used in irrigation mains, pump stations, and distribution headers where long-term reliability, corrosion resistance, and efficient flow are critical. Our systems align with NSF/ANSI 61 and AWWA standards for potable or regulated water use. Smooth-flow design and proper sizing help maintain consistent pressure across large-scale agricultural networks.

Manure, Slurry, and Waste Systems

Large-diameter piping, mitered elbows, and abrasion-resistant materials are commonly used to reduce clogging, improve flow efficiency, and extend service life for waste management systems. Smooth-flow transitions and carefully engineered oversized fittings help reduce turbulence, minimize buildup, and improve overall reliability in systems carrying solids and slurries.

Fertilizer and Chemical Handling Systems

Fertilizer injection systems, nutrient distribution networks, and agricultural chemical handling systems expose piping to highly corrosive and reactive substances. These may include liquid fertilizers, acidic blends, chlorinated wash solutions, and other aggressive agricultural chemicals used in crop production and soil management.

316L stainless steel is resistant to chlorides and agricultural chemicals. In very aggressive environments where there are high chloride concentrations or corrosive materials to handle, 317L stainless steel and AL-6XN® both offer enhanced resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion.

Agricultural Piping Materials

Material selection in agricultural systems depends on exposure to fertilizers, chemicals, water quality, and solids content.

We use 304L stainless steel for general agricultural piping, irrigation systems, and water distribution where moderate corrosion resistance and durability are the main requirements. But for fertilizer systems, washdown applications, and environments exposed to chlorides or more aggressive agricultural chemicals, we prefer to use 316L stainless steel.

AL-6XN® provides excellent resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion, which makes it the ideal for highly corrosive or chemical-intensive agricultural applications. In extreme cases, where highly acidic fertilizers or aggressive chemical handling is required, Inconel® 625 offers superior corrosion resistance in a wide range of aggressive environments.

We can also custom fabricate pipe and fittings in a large array of specialty alloys if your system has unique needs.

Common Agricultural Piping System Products

At Douglas Barwick, we manufacture a wide range of piping products for agricultural systems, including:

  • ASTM A778 welded stainless steel pipe
  • ASTM A312 process piping
  • ASTM A269 tubing
  • ASTM A774 stainless steel fittings
  • ASTM A403 butt-weld fittings
  • AWWA flanges
  • Mitered elbows and reducers
  • Large-diameter irrigation headers

Our spool assemblies are a popular choice if you’re looking for easy installation and assembly or lower on-site labour costs.

Frequently Fabricated Sizes

We manufacture pipe ranging from ¾ inch NPS up to 96 inches in diameter, with fittings and accessories to match. Agricultural systems typically range from small-bore process lines to large-scale irrigation mains and bulk transfer piping for water, fertilizer, and waste systems. We manufacture light-wall Schedule 10S and heavy-wall spools (14 gauge to 0.500″ wall thickness), with custom sizing available to meet project specifications.

Certifications and Standards

Our agricultural piping systems can be manufactured to meet applicable industry standards and project specifications, including:

  • ASTM A778
  • ASTM A312
  • ASTM A269
  • ASTM A774
  • ASTM A403
  • ANSI/ASME B36.19M
  • ASME B31.3
  • NSF/ANSI 61

Learn more about the certifications we carry and the standards we uphold in our quality assurance program.