Great Plains Conference on Improving Crop Water Productivity
Water is one of Nebraska’s most valuable natural resources. The 2009 Conference and Open House offered a unique opportunity for farmers and policy makers to learn and see irrigation practices and cropping systems on a farm scale that maintain or increase crop production while conserving water. Participants will also hear from University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) specialists and educators, and industry leaders on water issues that may affect their operations.
In January 2007, UNL purchased a 1,280 acre farm in Keith County, now referred to as the “West Central Water Resources Field Laboratory” (WRFL). The WRFL was purchased to research, demonstrate and teach water conserving methods in cropping and livestock systems in western Nebraska. University of Nebraska President James B. Milliken, along with field tours and demonstrations, will help us introduce our guests to the WRFL.
We appreciate the Brian and Darrell Armstrong families for allowing us the use of their building located at the Purty Punkins site for our Water Conference! Map.
Highlights from the Fifth Annual Great Plains Conference on Improving Crop Water Productivity and West Central Water Resources Field Laboratory Open House held on September 1, 2009 will be posted here as they become available.
Conference Agenda
All times are mountain daylight time.
8:00 - 8:50 Registration at Purty Punkins near Brule.
8:50 - 9:00 Welcome - Don Adams, district director.
9:00 - 9:30 The Hydrogeologic Framework in the Area of the West Central Water Resources Field Laboratory - Jim Goeke, Hydrogeologist.
9:30 - 10:00 Maximizing Efficiency with Center Pivot Irrigation - Derrel Martin, Irrigation and Water Resources Engineer.
10:00 - 10:30 Break (visit exhibits) - Courtesy of Farm Credit Service of Nebraska.
10:30 - 11:00 Taking the E out of ET in Growing Corn, Soybeans and Wheat - Bob Klein, Western Nebraska Crops Specialist.
11:00 - 11:30 A Crop Producer's Perspective on Nebraska Water Issues - Jon Holzfaster, Paxton, NE.
11:30 - 12:15 Lunch (view exhibits).
12:15 - 1:00 University of Nebraska President J.B. Milliken, introduced by IANR Vice Chancellor John Owens.
1:00 - 4:00 Water Resource Field Lab tours - WCREC Specialists and Educators.
Tours:
- Irrigated pasture management - Irrigated pasture, including a mixture of cool-season perennial grasses and alfalfa, will be viewed, followed by a discussion of research that will be conducted. Led by: Jerry Volesky, UN-L Extension Range Specialist, West Central Research and Extension Center and Rick Funston, UN-L Beef Cattle Reproductive Physiologist, WCREC.
- Soil moisture monitoring - With increased energy costs and water use restrictions in some areas of Nebraska, irrigation water management has become an important issue in the recent past. The use of soil moisture monitoring equipment and evapotranspiration data allows irrigators to be much more precise in irrigation scheduling. Led by: Steve Melvin, UN-L Extension Educator.
- Corn stalk grazing - The corn stalk grazing project is conducted on a center-pivot-irrigated quarter section. It addresses the question: How does corn residue grazing and baling impact sustainability and profitability of crop and livestock producers? Led by: Simon van Donk, UN-L Extension Irrigation/Water Resources Specialist, West Central Research and Extension Center and Aaron Stalker, UN-L Extension Range Beef Specialist, WCREC.
- Residue management demonstration with rain simulator - A rainfall simulator will be used to show the effectiveness of residue cover in reducing soil erosion and crusting. Allowing more residue cover is beneficial to keeping the sun and wind off the soil surface, reducing evaporation. Led by: Chuck Burr, UN-L Extension Educator and Paul Jasa, Extension Engineer.
4:00 p.m. - Adjourn.
