January 23, 2009

UNL Extension is offering a series of agricultural water and irrigation system management programs in February.

The Irrigation and Energy Conservation Workshops for Corn Growers are sponsored by the Nebraska Corn Board and the Nebraska Corn Growers Association in partnership with UNL Extension.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. followed by the program from 9:20 a.m.-4 p.m.

Dates and locations include:

• Feb. 17, Curtis Community Center, Curtis
• Feb. 18, American Legion Club, Alliance
• Feb. 19, Valley County Ag Complex, Ord
• Feb. 20, Wunderlich's, Columbus

Presentations by UNL faculty will cover how to apply less water and maximize the value of irrigation water, reduce irrigation pumping costs, further protect and enhance the environment, be aware of new technological advances in water management and implement changes specific to an operation to enhance profitability.Topics include:

• Nebraska Irrigation — Past Trends and Future Challenges,
• Managing Nitrogen to Protect Water Quality,
• Estimating Pumping Plant Energy Costs,
• Irrigation Basics and Soil Physical Properties,
• Soil Water Monitoring,
• Effect of Crop Residues on Soil Water Evaporation Loss,
• System Net Capacities in Nebraska, and
• In-Season Water Management

The complementary registration fee is provided in part through funding by the Nebraska Corn Board and the Nebraska Corn Growers Association. Certified Crop Advisor credits are pending.

Limited seating is available. Growers are encouraged to register by Feb. 13, by contacting the Extension offices in the host counties: Box Butte (308) 762-5616, Frontier (308) 367-4424, Platte (402) 563-4901 or Valley (308) 728-5071.