Steve Melvin - Extension Educator Irrigated Cropping Systems

Steve Melvin

faculty
Work
PO Box 27 1784 Fairgrounds Rd Central City NE 68826-0027
US
Center pivot irrigation
The Center Pivot Irrigation Handbook,published by Nebraska Extension, offers detailed information to growers improve the energy and water application efficiencies of their irrigation systems.

Center Pivot Handbook a Comprehensive Guide for Growers

March 23, 2018
Center pivot irrigation now accounts for approximately 85% of the irrigated land in Nebraska. To help growers manage and get the most from their system, Nebraska Extension has published the Center Pivot Irrigation Handbook, a 134-page comprehensive guide.

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Types of water losses from center pivot irrigation
Types of water losses from center pivot irrigation

In-Canopy vs. Above-Canopy Sprinklers: Which is Better Suited to Your Field?

March 23, 2018
This is the first of a three-part series on how to decide whether you want to use in-canopy sprinklers or sprinklers at truss rod height or above on a center pivot. Part 1 addresses water losses from a center pivot and when to replace an existing sprinkler package.

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Screen capture of irrigation scheduling system

View Corn Plots and 7 Demos of Irrigation Scheduling Equipment at Aug. 31 Tour

August 25, 2017
View corn variety plots and demonstrations of seven irrigation scheduling systems at the Aug. 31 Hamilton County Corn Growers Tour. The seven systems have been monitoring the same field throughout the season, providing a unique opportunity for growers to compare how each system manages similar information.

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Center pivot with bad sprinklers

Now's a Great Time to Evaluate Your Irrigation System

August 18, 2017
Take advantage of final crop irrigations this summer to evaluate system performance and identify leaks or problems to fix or aspects to improve over the winter. Taking time now can pay off in improved irrigation efficiency and reduced costs next season.

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Center pivot irrigation system watering a field
Figure 1. As you try to use stored soil water without wasting any new precipitation, the last few irrigations of the season require some of the most important water management decisions of the year. (Photo by Steve Melvin)

Predicting Late-Season Irrigation Needs

August 3, 2017
Given the ups and downs in temperatures this season, crops are likely to mature over a longer period than usual this fall, making it even more important to predict your crop's water needs. The last few irrigations of the season require some of the most important water management decisions of the year.

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Irrigating corn

Tips for Irrigation Scheduling of Corn in the Late Vegetative Stage

June 30, 2017
Corn can sustain moderate water stress during the late vegetative period and may even benefit from it. That's not the case for the critical period from tassel to early grain fill. Using soil water data can help guide your irrigation decisions to maximize your water and energy use to produce crop yield.

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center pivot irrigation

How Much Irrigation is Needed on Corn in the Vegetative Growth Stage?

June 16, 2017
Strategies to time crop irrigation for maximum effectiveness suggest delaying irrigation until the critical reproductive growth stages will most benefit yield. This will also help reduce the potential for nitrate leaching.

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