On-farm irrigation use is becoming more prevalent as Alabama producers work to eliminate unknowns in the field and on the farm.

Alabama Cooperative Extension System precision agriculture specialist, Dr. Brenda Ortiz, is offering an irrigation field day for producers in Town Creek, Alabama on June 26 at Posey Farms. For additional information, please contact Dr. Brenda Ortiz ([email protected]), Donna Shanklin ([email protected]).

Ortiz said irrigation adoption is increasing in Alabama. She and her colleagues are working to help producers maximize irrigation crop impacts.

“Farmers will get full benefits if they use proper practices and technology to apply the right irrigation rates at the right time and right place,” she said. “Under irrigation can reduce yield and over irrigation can increase nutrient leaching risks.”

Use of ponds to store water during winter months for irrigation during the summer is key to reducing the risk for drought and protecting the environment. Ortiz said the workshop will highlight these topics and others.

Pre-registration is not required, but those planning to attend can contact Donna Shanklin or Danny McWilliams. Producers will head to the field at 8 a.m. Lunch will be provided. The event will conclude at 12:30 p.m.

Farmers, Extension agents and industry representatives will present throughout the day, providing a well-rounded program for producers looking to improve and expand their irrigation use.

Farmers will share tried and true irrigation practices, while Extension personnel will partner with industry representatives to showcase technology use to support irrigation decisions.

Ortiz said producers will visit several irrigation technology-based stops across a 460-acre irrigated field. The lunch hour will include speakers.

Posey Farm is working with Ortiz to demonstrate several practices including:

Representatives from several irrigation companies will also have booths and presentations at the workshop.

In addition to the irrigation field day, Alabama Extension will host an Alabama Precision Agriculture Workshop July 30 at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Registration is FREE but required: https://auburn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3WurtwCyRecC7U9

Registration starts at 7:30 amFor additional information, contact Dr. Brenda Ortiz ([email protected]).