PROGRAM INFORMATION

EQIP-GSWC: Applications for 2008 funds can be taken anytime at your local NRCS office.

NSWCP: Applications for cost-share assistance can be taken at your local NRCS office.  The next approval date for irrigation practice applications will be Sept. 11, 2007.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

June 12: TBNRD Board of Directors meeting, 7:30 PM
June 26: CNPPID's 4-week delivery schedule begins
July 2: CNPPID Board of Directors meeting, 9 AM
July 4: Independence Day (government offices closed)
* Times are tentative

2006 Furrow Irrigation Field Demonstration

* Location:
-- Phelps County - NE4 Section 21-7-19

* Evaluation (replicated three times):
#1. Irrigate based on 50%, 70% and 90% full soil profiles.
#2. Every row versus every other row at 75% full soil profile.

* Design:
-- CNPPID water
-- 30-inch rows, 1/2 mile long
-- Gypsum blocks set at each foot to 4-foot depth

* Agronomic:
-- Continuous corn (Pioneer 34A18)
-- 31,000 plants per acre planted 4-17-06
-- Holdrege silt loam soil at 1% slope
-- Rainfall: plant date to maturity = 16.97 inches

* Results of Evaluation #1:

* Results of Evaluation #2:

(Note: Demo sites used 8-row test strips replicated three times in a field.)

ACROSS THE TRI-BASIN NRD

EQIP's Irrigation Water Management Sheets & NRD's Water Use Reports are Combined into ONE!:

The 2007 Irrigation Water Management (IWM) record sheets are currently being sent out to the EQIP producers.  IWM is a requirement each year for the life of your EQIP contract.  Some producers are also required to complete an annual Water Use Report with the Tri-Basin NRD.  The local NRCS and the Tri-Basin NRD have combined the two reports into one for your convenience.  Producers will now be able to submit one report this fall to either your local NRCS office or to the TBNRD.

We ask that this form be completed in its entirety.  As far as the EQIP irrigation record-keeping, you may still substitute that portion of the form with crop consultant forms or your own forms.

If you have any questions about IWM or completing this combined form, feel free to contact Curtis Scheele at 308-995-6121, ext. 3.  For questions about completing this form, you may also call Tammy, Rich or John at the Tri-Basin NRD toll-free at 1-877-995-6688 or local calls at 308-995-6688.

Stage of Growth:

Corn (2-leaf to 7-leaf stage): Flooding at any time the growing point is below the water level can kill corn in a few days, especially if temperatures are high.  At about 5-leaf stage, the growing point and tassel is at or near the soil surface.  At 6-leaf, the growing point and tassel above the soil surface and the stalk is beginning a period of greatly increased elongation.

Soybeans (not planted to V1 stage): A couple days ago, there were still some soybeans to be planted.  Loss of one cotyledon has little effect on plant growth, but loss of both can reduce yields by 8 to 9 percent.  After V1, photosynthesis by the developing leaves is adequate for the plant to sustain itself.

Irrigation:

No irrigation going on.  Rains continued last week.  Enough rain to keep the soil moisture profile full and to flood low areas of fields.  Refer to the last issue of the Irrigator (May 24) for determining when to irrigate with a current full soil moisture profile using the checkbook scheduling method.  Producers are finishing planting soybeans.  Some are cultivating and others spraying.  Crop stages are spread out this year due to the rains spreading out the planting season.

Lake McConaughy is at 38.9% capacity versus 39.5% a year ago. Flows on the North Platte River at Lewellen are at 227 cfs versus 281 cfs a year ago. Flows on the South Platte River at Roscoe are at 1,300 cfs versus 10 cfs a year ago.   You can track these flows on Central's web site.

Rainfall:
Rainfall amounts come from NeRAIN which can be found at http://dnrdata.dnr.ne.gov/NeRAIN/index.asp?&.

EVAPOTRANSPIRATION (ET) and GROWING DEGREE DAYS (GDD) INFORMATION

Additional ET Information Sites:

KRVN radio broadcasts
KRVN.com
Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District
Water Use Hotline: 1-800-993-2507

Check out these web sites:

"Reason can make mistakes, but conscious never does." - Anonymous

If you would like to receive this newsletter via e-mail, or have any questions, comments or ideas, feel free to contact Curtis Scheele at the NRCS office in Holdrege or your local NRCS office at the addresses or phone numbers listed below.

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