Steve Melvin - Extension Educator Irrigated Cropping Systems

Steve Melvin

faculty
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PO Box 27 1784 Fairgrounds Rd Central City NE 68826-0027
US
Work 308-946-3843
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Corn field receiving irrigation in late season
Many irrigators apply more water than necessary toward the end of the irrigation season because the crop is using less water per day. To mitigate losses, calculate the amount of water needed from rain and irrigation for the crop to reach maturity starting in early August.

Time to Consider Using the Remaining Stored Soil Water in Irrigated Corn and Bean Fields

August 7, 2024
The last few irrigations of the season require careful consideration. An unneeded irrigation can waste several inches of water and gallons of diesel fuel, and leaves little room in the soil profile to capture winter/spring rains.

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Closeup of center pivot watering corn

Weekly Irrigation Newsletter: Using Soil Water Tension Sensors to Schedule Irrigation in East-central Nebraska

September 20, 2024
In the final update for this year, three Nebraska growers share comprehensive irrigation data from their study fields throughout the 2024 growing season. 

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Crop sensor mounted in field
Figure 1. Early installation of sensors helps minimize root and leaf damage and makes it easy to get around the field with the pickup or ATV to install the equipment.

The Drought of 2023 Impact on Irrigation and What We Can Learn from It

July 12, 2024
The amount and timing of irrigation applied in recent years may have very little to do with what's needed this year. Review the factors before making a decision.

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Center pivot in corn field
Starting to irrigate too soon can lead to wasting water, poor soil environment, increasing costs, and leaching nitrogen which can result in lower yields.

Soil-Water-Plant Interaction Basics

June 12, 2024
As irrigation season approaches, producers may find it beneficial to review the basics on how soil, water and plants all work together to grow crops.

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Soil types in Nebraska map

The Impact of Spring Rainfall on Available Soil Moisture

May 15, 2024
Assessing whether rainfall is sufficient to recharge soil moisture to adequate levels is not an easy task. This article covers key aspects of soil-water relations and how recent rainfall in Nebraska may affect available soil moisture for future irrigation decisions.

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Pivot in field
Irrigating a late season soybean field. (Photo by Steve Melvin)

Optimize Those Last Few Irrigations

August 17, 2023
Leaving the field a little drier at the end of the season can help producers save irrigation costs, decrease leaching losses, improve soil conditions for harvest traffic, save water for future years and capture more off-season precipitation.

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Pivot with end gun
There are two reliable methods for overcoming the challenges of lower uniformity and nitrogen application rates when using the center pivot's end gun: using a variable rate injection pump, and slowing the pivot down when the end gun turns on (for systems with computer panels).

How to Determine the Chemigation Injection Pump Setting for a Center Pivot with the End Gun Off and On

June 18, 2024
The key to knowing the correct setting for a chemigation pump is to first determine how many acres per hour the pivot will cover at the desired irrigation application depth or rate.

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Crop sensor
Figure 1. Early installation of sensors helps minimize root and leaf damage and makes it easy to get around the field with the pickup or ATV to install the equipment.

Study Reviews Farmer Irrigation Scheduling Tendencies in Dry Years

June 8, 2023
Many producers in Nebraska will need to irrigate in June to refill the soil profile before high water demand begins in July, but there are numerous factors to consider when calculating the appropriate irrigation amounts.

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