Life Sciences Commons^™

Maintaining And Improving Irrigation Application Uniformity In Sprinkler And Drip Systems, Burdette Barker, Sheridan Stewart, Mark Nelson

All Current Publications

The goal of most irrigation system design and management is to provide all plants in an irrigated area with equal access to water. Ideally, each plant should receive the exact amount of water it needs. If a field needs 1 inch of water for irrigation, all parts of the field should receive exactly that. The reality is not so perfect. It is practically impossible to apply the same quantity of water to all plants in an irrigated area, plot, or field. In other words, all irrigation systems have some nonuniformities in the water delivered. Instead of designing and managing irrigation …

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

All Current Publications

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

All Current Publications

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

All Current Publications

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

All Current Publications

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.

Precision Irrigation Guide For Center Pivots, Elisa Flint, Matt Yost, Troy Peters, Clara Anderson, Burdette Barker, Neil Hansen

All Current Publications

This factsheet discusses the different variable rate irrigation (VRI) options for center pivots, when they might reduce water use and energy, produce higher crop yields, and when it might be unreasonable to expect these kinds of benefits.

Irrigation Management In High Tunnels, Dan Drost, Brent Black, Melanie Stock

All Current Publications

High tunnels provide season extension for various high-value horticulture crops in a diverse range of climates. These large, plastic-covered structures modify the environmental conditions of the covered area. Temperature management is commonly the focus when growing in high tunnels as this may be the key factor limiting plant growth during much of the year. While high tunnel temperature management is important, growers also need to address water management to ensure plants are not water-stressed. Common mistakes are underestimating water needs, which stresses plants or creates conditions favoring plant diseases and nutrient leaching from overwatering. Knowing when to irrigate and how …

Drought- Conditioning Of Quaking Aspen (Populus Tremuloides Michx.) Seedlings During Nursery Production Modifies Seedling Anatomy And Physiology, Joshua L. Sloan, Owen T. Burney, Jeremiah R. Pinto

Aspen Bibliography

In the western US, quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) regenerates primarily by root suckers after disturbances such as low to moderate severity fires. Planting aspen seedlings grown from seed may provide a mechanism to improve restoration success and genetic diversity on severely disturbed sites. However, few studies have examined the use of container-grown aspen seedlings for restoration purposes from both the outplanting and nursery production perspective. Thus, the purpose of this novel study was to examine how alterations in irrigation levels during nursery production across three seed sources would impact seedling performance attributes on harsh, dry outplanting sites. Irrigation …

Chemigation Guide, Matt Yost, Grant Cardon, L. Neil Allen, Bryce Sorensen, Kyke Egbert, Earl Creech, Corey Ransom, Ricardo Ramirez

All Current Publications

This guide discusses general principles that apply to most types of chemigation applications.

Fertigation Facts, Kyle Egbert, Matt Yost, Bryce Sorensen, Grant Cardon, Niel Allen, Ryan Larsen

All Current Publications

This fact sheet provides general information on forms of fertigation for primary plant nutrient, fertigation timng, and fertigation economics.

2019 Costs And Returns For Non-Irrigated Safflower, Northern Utah, Michael Pace, Clark Israelsen, Ryan Larsen, Jacob Hadfield

All Current Publications

This fact sheet presents a sample budget for costs and returns for non-irrigated safflower in northern Utah.

Mobile Drip Irrigation For Pivots And Laterals, Matt Yost, Jonno Holt, Chad Reid, Dean Winward, Niel Allen, Earl Creech

All Current Publications

This fact sheet is base on four irrigation demonstration/research trials conducted during 2018. It is part of ongoing research.

4r'S Of Irrigation Management, Matt Yost, Niel Allen, Grant Cardon, Earl Creech

All Current Publications

This fact sheet introduces the concept of the 4'R's of irrigation management and discusses some factors to consider in each of the 4R's, right source, right rate. right time, and right place.

Defense Against Drought, Matt Yost, Bryce Sorensen, Earl Creech, Niel Allen, Ryan Larsen, Ricardo Ramirez, Corey Ransom, Chad Reid, Jody Gale, Boyd Kitchen

All Current Publications

This fact sheet outlines six tools that can be used to help alleviate some of the negative impacts of drought and help improve returns to crop production.

Crop Water Stress Index Of An Irrigated Vineyard In The Central Valley Of California, John H. Prueger, Christopher K. Parry, William P. Kustas, Joseph G. Alfieri, Maria M. Alsina, Héctor Nieto, Tiffany G. Wilson, Lawrence E. Hipps, Martha C. Anderson, Jerry L. Hatfield, Fen Gao, Lynn G. Mckee, Andrew Mcelrone, Nurit Agam, Sebastian A. Los

Plants, Soils, and Climate Faculty Publications

Water-limiting conditions in many California vineyards necessitate assessment of vine water stress to aid irrigation management strategies and decisions. This study was designed to evaluate the utility of a Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI) using multiple canopy temperature sensors and to study the diurnal signature in the stress index of an irrigated vineyard. A detailed instrumentation package comprised of eddy covariance instrumentation, ancillary surface energy balance components, soil water content sensors and a unique multi-canopy temperature sensor array were deployed in a production vineyard near Lodi, CA. The instrument package was designed to measure and monitor hourly growing season turbulent …

Drip Irrigation For Commercial Vegetable And Fruit Production, Tiffany Maughn, Niel Allen, Dan Drost

All Current Publications

Drip irrigation is a highly efficient irrigation method well suited to many fruit and vegetable row crops. Drip tubing or tape discharges water to the soil through emitters positioned close to the plant. The drip tubing can be placed uncovered on the soil surface, under plastic mulch, buried in the soil, or suspended above the ground (e.g., on a trellis system). Water application rate is relatively low and irrigations are usually frequent. Properly designed and maintained drip-irrigation systems can have benefits that help increase the profitability of crop production.

Simple Sprinkler Performance Testing For Piute County, Kelly Kopp, Niel Allen, Trent Wilde

All Current Publications

This fact sheet gives homeowners information on making landscape irrigation systems more efficient using a site inspection, a sprinkler performance test and an appropriate irrigation schedule.

Simple Sprinkler Performance Testing For Wayne County, Kelly Kopp, Niel Allen, Trent Wilde

All Current Publications

This fact sheets tells homeowners how to be more efficient with their irrigation systems by following three simple steps, a site inspection, a sprinkler performance test, and an appropriate irrigation schedule.

Soil Moisture Measurement And Sensors For Irrigation Management, Tiffany Maughan, L. Niel Allen, Dan Drost

All Current Publications

This fact sheet introduces several soil water monitoring options that, when used correctly, can help growers avoid over and under watering.

Water Decision-Making Under Uncertainty, Augustina Yaa Oye Odame

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This dissertation is made up of three separate studies under the unifying theme of “Water Decision-Making under Uncertainty.” The first study analyzed a farmer’s decision to invest in a more efficient irrigation system given uncertainty about future water supplies and his post-investment efficiency. It found the price at which farmers would no longer produce to be a bigger consideration in irrigation investment than previously thought. It also found support for a careful identification and consideration of all significant sources of uncertainty in order to create better policy incentives for irrigation technology investments.

The second study extended the first to allow …

Vegetable Irrigation: Sweet Pepper And Tomato, Tiffany Maughan, Dan Drost, L. Niel Allen

All Current Publications

This fact sheet discusses basic principles that will help ensure proper irrigation of sweet pepper and tomato.

Northern Utah Small Cow-Calf Pasture Finished Beef Production Costs & Returns, 2012, Kynda Curtis, Trevor Knudsen, Jennifer Macadam

All Current Publications

Sample costs and returns to raise pasture-fed beef cattle for direct to consumer sales on small cow-calf operations in northern Utah are presented in this publication.

Garfield County Crop Production Costs And Returns, 2011, Kevin Heaton, Kynda Curtis

All Current Publications

Sample costs and returns to establish and produce alfalfa hay and oat hay under flood irrigation, or alfalfa hay under wheel line irrigation in Garfield County, Utah, are presented in this publication.

Wasatch Front Mixed Vegetable Production Costs And Returns, 2012, Shawn Olsen, Kynda Curtis

All Current Publications

Sample costs and returns to produce mixed vegetables under flood irrigation in the Davis and Weber County area of Utah are presented in this publication.

Duchesne County Crop Production Costs And Returns, 2011, Troy Cooper, Kynda Curtis

All Current Publications

Sample costs and returns to establish and produce alfalfa hay, barley, oats, and wheat under wheel line irrigation or corn silage under pivot irrigation in Duchesne County, Utah, are presented in this publication.

Kane County Crop Production Costs And Returns, 2011, Kevin Heaton, Kynda Curtis

All Current Publications

Sample costs and returns to establish and produce alfalfa hay and oat hay under wheel line irrigation in Kane County, Utah are presented in this publication.

Wasatch County Crop Production Costs And Returns, 2011, Allan Sulser, Kynda Curtis, Don Snyder

All Current Publications

Sample costs and returns to establish and produce alfalfa hay, barley, oats, and oat hay under wheel line irrigation in Wasatch County, Utah are presented in this publication.

Box Elder County Crop Production Costs And Returns, 2011, Lyle Holmgren, Kynda Curtis, Don Snyder

All Current Publications

Sample costs and returns to establish and produce alfalfa hay, corn (silage), corn grain or irrigated wheat under flood irrigation and dry wheat in Box Elder County, Utah are presented in this publication.

Cache County Crop Production Costs And Returns, 2011, Clark Israelsen, Rob Lee, Don Snyder

All Current Publications

Sample costs and returns to establish and produce alfalfa hay, barley, corn (silage), and wheat (dry or irrigated) under wheel line irrigation in Cache County, Utah are presented in this publication.

Daggett County Crop Production Costs And Returns, 2011, Boyd Kitchen, Kynda Curtis, Don Snyder

All Current Publications

Sample costs and returns to establish and produce alfalfa hay and grass hay under pivot irrigation in Daggett County, Utah are presented in this publication.