The University of California West Side Research and Extension will host the Second Annual Overhead Irrigation and Conservation Cropping Systems Twilight Field Tour and Barbeque on Thursday, Sept. 8, Five Points, Calif., beginning at 4 p.m.

The late afternoon program will include research updates on recent information developed at the Center for overhead heard of wheat, corn, tomatoes, onions, cotton and broccoli.  Industry presenters will discuss basics of water delivery devices and initial design and operation considerations for center pivot irrigation systems.  Updates on the profitability and impacts of conservation tillage cotton and tomato production systems on soil properties will also be provided by UC and CSU Fresno researchers.

During the barbeque dinner that will be provided to all participants, recipients of the 2011 Conservation Tillage Farmer Innovator Awards will be announced.  This year’s session will also feature a number of awards for private sector innovation in CT and irrigation.  A farmer panel composed of Armando Galvan, Darrell Cordova, Scott Schmidt, and John Diener will discuss recent farm experiences with overhead irrigation and the evening will wrap up with a farm visit to one of the pivots of Scott Schmidt at Farming ‘D.’

Additional information may be obtained by contacting Jeff Mitchell at (559) 303-9689 or [email protected].