UNL Field Tours Focus on Saving Irrigation Water and Energy Dollars
July 27, 2007
With rising fuel prices and restrictions on water use, finding more efficient methods for crop irrigation can be like money in the bank. In August UNL will host 10 field days to examine irrigation management strategies to help producers conserve water and save energy expenses.
The Irrigation Strategies Field Tours will include demonstrations of management strategies to conserve water. The primary focus is on working with producers and crop consultants to develop and demonstrate soil moisture monitoring equipment and irrigation scheduling strategies on farmer fields. The goal is to make soil water monitoring and management as easy as keeping fuel in the tank using the fuel gauge.
Topics will include obtaining top pumping plant performance, selecting lower cost energy sources and applying the optimum amount of water.
The tours will be held near Minden, Alma, Palisade, Loomis (two), Ainsworth, Bartley, Upland, Imperial and Curtis. Field tour topics, which will vary by location, include: How Time of Application and Amount of Water Applied Affects Crop Yield; Predicting the Last Irrigation, Furrow Irrigation Study Results, Water Savings with Crop Residue Management, Yield Effects of Skip Row Planted Corn, How the Amount of Water and Nitrogen Applied Affects Crop Yield, Lowering Irrigation Energy Costs and Comparing Alternatives, and Monitoring Crop Water Use and Soil Moisture Status - Simple, Durable, Accurate, and Economical.
For more information about the Irrigation Strategies Field Tour Series, contact Steve Melvin at (308) 367-4424 or email smelvin1@unl.edu.
Steve Melvin
Extension Educator
Tour Schedule and Site Locations Minden, Thursday, August 2, 6 p.m. The field is 4 miles west of Minden on U.S. 6/34 (Road 28 by Cargill Grain), then north 2 1/4 miles on west side of the road. The event will start under the shade trees at Russ Olsen's.Alma, Tuesday, August 7, 6 p.m. The field is 6 3/4 miles north of Alma on U.S. 183 or 1/4 mile south of the intersection of U.S. 183 and Nebraska 42A (Huntly Road). The field is on the west side of the road, but the program will start on the east side of the road at the Vince Colgan place. Palisade, Tuesday, August 14, 6 p.m. The field is on the north edge of Palisade. Go north on Nebraska 25A and turn right onto the first country road heading north. Continue north approximately 3/8 mile and turn west into a field road. The plot is about 1/8 mile west. Loomis (two tours), Thursday, August 16, 10 a.m.. The first stop is 6 miles north of Loomis on Road G and 1.5 miles east on Road 741. The plot is on the south side of the road. The second stop, which starts at 1:30, is 1 mile south of Loomis on Road G and 1 3/4 miles west on Road 734. The plot is on the south side of the road. Ainsworth, Tuesday, August 21, 6 p.m. The field is 7.5 miles north of the intersection of U.S. 183 and 20. The plot is on the east side of the road just before the highway turns to the west. Bartley, Thursday, August 23, 6 p.m. The field is on the east edge of Bartley. Go 1/2 mile east on US 6/34 and turn south on Road 403. The plot is back west on a field road just south of the railroad tracks. Upland, Thursday, August 23, 5 p.m. The field is 6 miles east of the intersection of Nebraska 4 and 10 by Road 38. The plot is on the south side of the highway. Imperial, Tuesday, August 28, 6 p.m. MDT. The field is 5 miles west of Imperial on U.S. 6. Turn north on Avenue 327. The plot is 1/2 mile north on east side of road. Curtis, Thursday, August 30, 10 a.m. From the intersection of Nebraska 23 and Center Street (flashing light in Curtis), go 6 blocks north to a dead end, turn east (right) 1/2 block, then north (left) and follow the road 1.3 miles (road curves to the west). Turn south onto field road 1/3 mile. |
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