FARGO, N.D. • A new remote sensing and irrigation management project will be one of the topics discussed during a virtual irrigation workshop scheduled later this month and hosted by the North Dakota State University Extension office.
The two-day workshop will be held virtually for 90 minutes on each day, Dec. 15-16. Starting at 9:30 a.m., the Zoom meeting aims to provide assistance to ag producers.
Irrigation provides more consistent crop production on a year-to-year basis, according to NDSU Extension, allows growth of longer-season crops, diversifies the farm enterprise and provides a consistent supply of forage for animal operations.
“However, managing an irrigation system around variable rain events can sometimes be a challenge for busy farmers,” Tom Scherer, Extension agricultural engineer, said in a prepared statement.
Topics during the Dec. 15 workshop will include a description of a remote sensing and irrigation management project that is just starting in North Dakota, an update on the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s EQIP program, remote monitoring of soil moisture levels and an update on research at NDSU’s Oakes Irrigation Research site.
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Topics on Dec. 16 will include an update on research at NDSU’s Nesson Valley Irrigation site near Williston, management of saline/sodic soils, remote soil moisture measurement methods and a North Dakota irrigation system centered around potato production.
The featured presentations, both by colleagues from Colorado State University, will deal with the benefits of residue management under irrigation and evaluation of 10 years of using unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for irrigation management.
Those interested may register through the North Dakota Water website at https://ndwater.org/waterconvention . Registration is $30, but is free for those who register for the 57th annual North Dakota Water Convention.
“Remote monitoring methods generate a great deal of data, which make it difficult to interpret for day-to-day irrigation decisions,” Scherer said. “Thus, some of the topics selected for the irrigation workshop will focus on remote monitoring methods for irrigation management.”
