Irrigation workshop to be held Dec. 8
North Dakota State University Extension and the North Dakota Irrigation Association are sponsoring an irrigation workshop to be held Thursday, Dec. 8 in the Grand Pacific Room at the Bismarck Hotel and Conference Center in Bismarck. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.
Economic opportunities associated with irrigation will be the theme of the workshop.
“The competition for water is increasing every year and access to good quality water for expanding irrigated acres will become more difficult in the future,” says Tom Scherer, NDSU Extension agricultural engineer. “However, with a reliable water source, investing in irrigation is a great hedge against drought periods during the growing season.”
The workshop is held in conjunction with the North Dakota Water Users Association convention. An irrigation exposition for suppliers to display their products and services will be held at the same time.
The first two presentations in the morning session will be held jointly with the Water Users Association. The first will be a panel discussion on economic opportunities for agriculture, and the second will be a primer on western water law. After the morning break, workshop participants will go to the Grand Pacific room to hear an update of work at NDSU’s Oakes irrigation research site, including some research on drought-resistant corn followed by a presentation on the State Revolving Fund for irrigation districts.
The North Dakota Irrigation Association will hold its annual meeting in the same room from noon to 1:00 p.m.
The afternoon session will include presentations on the Natural Resources Conservation Service variable rate irrigation project, managing resistant weeds, automated drip irrigation for specialty crops (watermelon, cantaloupe and squash), updated irrigated crop budgets, an update on project pumping power and a primer on irrigation districts.
The workshop registration fee of $50 includes lunch and is payable at the door. Visit www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/ ag-hub/events/irrigationworkshop for information.