Skip Navigation

University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture - Curtis

September tour near Curtis will demonstrate water saving strategies

CURTIS, Neb. -- To help producers in southwestern Nebraska get the most from the water they have, University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension Educator, Steve Melvin, has organized a field tour for Thurs., Sept. 7, 2006, in Curtis.

Melvin has been evaluating several ideas on field-sized plots this summer, including: no-till farming with irrigation, deficit irrigation yield effects on corn, milo, and soybeans, quick and easy irrigation scheduling, skip row planting of corn and grain sorghum, and irrigation application timing to maximize the use of water. The tour will showcase several innovative irrigation and farming practices to get the most effective use of producer’s precipitation and irrigation water at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture Teaching Farm.

Field tour topics will include:

Crop Water Use and Soil Moisture Monitoring Equipment for Quick and Accurate Irrigation Scheduling, Lowering Energy Costs by Improving Pumping Plant Performance, Limited Irrigation with Soybeans, Limited Irrigation with Grain Sorghum, Selection and Operation of No-Till Drills, How No-Till Farming Saves Water, and Yield Effects of Skip-Row-Planted Grain Sorghum and Corn. Speakers include: Derrel Martin, Irrigation Engineer; Steve Melvin, Extension Educator; Paul Jasa, Extension Engineer; Bob Klein, Cropping System Specialist; and David Tarkalson, Soil Fertility Specialist.

The tour will start at 10:00 a.m. Central Time and end at 3:00 p.m.

To get to the plot from Nebraska Highway 23 & Center Street in Curtis (flashing light), go north 6 blocks to dead end, turn east (right) 2 blocks, then north (left) and follow the road 1.3 miles (road curves to the west). Turn south onto field road 1/3 mile. A complimentary noon meal will be served.

For more information contact Steve Melvin at (308) 367-4424 or smelvin1@unl.edu .