January 23, 2009

Speakers from several universities, including UNL Extension, and government agencies, as well as industry, will present information on the latest irrigation equipment and water management practices, according to the event's Kansas State University Research and Extension organizers. The multi-state conference and expo begin at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 24 with registration and the expo displays available for viewing. The technical sessions begin at 10 a.m.

The conference is designed for irrigators, irrigation managers, crop consultants, agri-business professionals, and state and federal employees involved in water management. The organizers have applied for continuing education credits for crop consultant advisors.

Two general sessions feature an "Outlook on Agriculture's Potential" with Mark Lawson of Monsanto and "The Role of Wind Energy in Agriculture: A Cooperative's Point of View" with Robert Johnson of Sunflower Electric Power Corporation.

Other speakers will address the following topics:

• Crop and weather interaction,
• Optimizing crop water productivity,
• Center pivot sprinkler considerations,
• Subsurface drop irrigation,
• Irrigation technology and energy,
• Central Plains water policy: A panel discussion, and
• Economic issues facing irrigators

For the event's featured equipment exposition, irrigation equipment manufacturers and dealer representatives from across the central Plains plan to display and explain the latest equipment in the irrigation industry.

An early conference registration fee of $65 per person ($75, if applying for continuing education units) must be postmarked by Feb. 2. After that date, the fee is $75 ($85, if applying for CEUs). The registration fee covers all sessions, the equipment expo, a copy of the conference proceedings, snack breaks, two lunches and a social hour.

Registrations go to Donna Lamm, 760 N. Thompson, Colby, Kan. 67701. And, more information is available by contacting Lamm at 785-462-7574.

Kansas State University