Irrigation Management and Policy will be the focus of the last Farmers and Ranchers College program for 2013-14. 

UNL Extension Irrigation Specialist Suat Irmak, who is internationally known for his work with agricultural water management, will be the featured speaker on March 20  at the Fillmore County Fairgrounds in Geneva.

Irmak started the Nebraska Agricultural Water Management Network, which many producers in the area participate. From his research, UNL Extension has been able to implement irrigation efficiency practices for producers. Using the watermark sensors and ETgage, producers are able to save money and water by reducing water on their crops while still achieving excellent yields. Irmak will provide updates on new research he's conducted and answer other questions on the future of irrigation technologies.

Gary Zoubek, UNL Extension Educator in York County. also will be available to provide updates on the Nebraska Agricultural Water Management Network and technologies he uses with producers. David Aiken, UNL Water and Agricultual Law Specialist, will provide an update on water policy across the state and issues producers need to be concerned with in the future.

Representatives from the Upper Big Blue and Little Blue Natural Resource Districts will provide updates on irrigation regulations and other policies. Ryne Norton from Farm Service Agency will also share an update.

This program is free due to the generous contributions from Farmers & Ranchers College sponsors. The Farmers & Ranchers College was formed in January 2000 with the purpose of providing high quality, dynamic, up to date educational workshops for area agricultural producers in south central Nebraska through a collaborative effort between business, industry and higher education leaders. The Farmers and Ranchers College Committee consists of Fred Bruning of Bruning, Bryan Dohrman of Grafton, Sarah Miller of Carleton, Ryne Norton of York, Jim Donovan of Geneva, Gordy Nuss of Sutton, Bryce Kassik of Geneva, Jennifer Engle of Fairmont and Brandy VanDeWalle of Ohiowa.

Registration

Registration starts at 9:45 a.m., with the program following from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Several irrigation vendors will have displays.  Please call the the FIllmore County Extension Office at 402-759-3712 as soon as possible for a meal count.

Brandy VanDeWalle
Extension Educator, Fillmore County

March 14, 2013