MANAGING Tough Times Irrigation 101 Maximizing the value of Irrigation Kris Kohl ISU Extension Ag Engineer

MANAGING Tough Times Irrigation 101 Managing a Runoff Basin  Dictated by pond level  Applied on wet soil  Light as possible to reduce negative impact

MANAGING Tough Times Irrigation 101 Managing pond level Dictated by crop need Determining crop need Evapotranspiration (water use) Temperature and Humidity Growth stage of the crop

MANAGING Tough Times Irrigation 101 How can we improve our skills Measure the nitrogen level in pond Apply water so that we don’t saturate soil Measure water use from crop Measure yield at end of year

MANAGING Tough Times Irrigation 101 Water use Corn Inches per day Month May June July August September

MANAGING Tough Times Irrigation 101 Check Book Method DateRainfall And Irrigation Inch Crop use (ET) inch Balance May June July Aug

MANAGING Tough Times Irrigation 101 Check Book Method DateRainfall And Irrigation Inch Crop use (ET) inch Balance May June July Aug

MANAGING Tough Times Irrigation 101 Check Book Method Goals Optimize crop yields Never allow the soil moisture balance to go below 6 inches Prevent runoff

MANAGING Tough Times Irrigation 101 Gated pipe layout One opening every 4 th or 5 th slot – 10 to 12 ft Measure length of travel down rows and water level with soil probe Allows for adjustment during season

MANAGING Tough Times Irrigation 101 Offer Collect sample in June Determine water use from weather.com site every 2 weeks starting June 1 2 site visits during application Yield check Cost -$150