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

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. MANAGING Tough Times Irrigation 101 Water use Corn Inches per day Month50-5960-6970-7980-8990-99 May.07.13.19.23.27 June.09.15.21.25.29 July.09.15.22.26.30 August.08.13.18.22.26 September.07.10.13.17.20

6. MANAGING Tough Times Irrigation 101 Check Book Method DateRainfall And Irrigation Inch Crop use (ET) inch Balance May4.185.8910.00 June5.117.207.91 July4.648.064.49 Aug3.497.50.48

7. MANAGING Tough Times Irrigation 101 Check Book Method DateRainfall And Irrigation Inch Crop use (ET) inch Balance May4.185.8910.00 June5.117.207.91 July4.64 + 2.518.067.00 Aug3.49 + 4.017.57.00

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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