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Utah State University

All Current Publications

Irrigation

2023

Articles 1 - 4 of 4

Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Guide To Pivot Track Management, Matt Yost, Behnaz Molaei, R. Troy Peters, Clara Anderson, Burdette Barker, Jonathan Holt, Dustin Larsen Nov 2023

Guide To Pivot Track Management, Matt Yost, Behnaz Molaei, R. Troy Peters, Clara Anderson, Burdette Barker, Jonathan Holt, Dustin Larsen

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Irrigation uniformity can be reduced by wheel track rutting because of tire slippage (Meyer & Hoffman, 1983). These impacts can result in costly repairs to equipment, including gear boxes (about $700 each) and center-drive motors (about $550 each), or hydraulic pumps and motors on certain makes of pivot. Labor and crop damage associated with freeing or repairing a pivot or caused by downtime can also be a great expense to the farmer. This guide covers different strategies for managing wheel track rutting for center pivots and lateral-move systems.


Agricultural Irrigated Land And Irrigation Water Use In Utah, Burdette Barker, Matt Yost, Cody Zesiger Jul 2023

Agricultural Irrigated Land And Irrigation Water Use In Utah, Burdette Barker, Matt Yost, Cody Zesiger

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Utah is considered the second driest state in the United States. As a result, much of the agriculture and horticulture in Utah depends upon irrigation. Irrigation is an important feature of agriculture in Utah. The distribution of irrigated and water use varies across the state, based on water availability, topography, and soils. In recent years, sprinkler irrigation has overtaken surface methods as the dominant irrigation method, based on irrigated area, in Utah. About 75% to 80% of water withdrawals in Utah are for irrigation, with about 68% of that water being consumptive use. Alfalfa, other hay crops, and pasture are …


Understanding Irrigation Water Optimization, Burdette Barker, Matt Yost, Jody Gale, Mark Nelson May 2023

Understanding Irrigation Water Optimization, Burdette Barker, Matt Yost, Jody Gale, Mark Nelson

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Irrigation is applied to much of the cropped area of Utah to support crop production. Limited water resources and competing demand for those resources make irrigation water conservation, irrigation water optimization, and efficient use of irrigation water important components of overall water resource management. It is well known in Utah that optimal irrigation use is even more critical during drought conditions. However, optimization practices change the quantity, quality, and timing of water flows. It is important to consider the possible hydrologic impact of irrigation practice changes and the desired outcome of an optimization practice to avoid implementing a practice that …


Accurate Irrigation Water Flow Measurement In Pipes, Burdette Barker, Cody Zesiger, Matt Yost Apr 2023

Accurate Irrigation Water Flow Measurement In Pipes, Burdette Barker, Cody Zesiger, Matt Yost

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Flow measurement is an important component of water management. There are many methods that can be used to measure water flow, and different methods and technologies are used for pipe flow as compared to open channel (canal) flow. In this fact sheet, we cover only pipe flow, and for that, only technologies that are most common in conventional irrigation practice. We also address some basic principles of flow measurement along with some pros and cons for different measurement technologies.