EC Nebraska | t_pete - 9/19/2016 14:37
she reached out to me as well and I actually plan on talking to her. To answer your question 1234, it all depends on soil type. Right along the platte in the sand it gets dry, quick. HOWEVER...a majority of the irrigated state, and I'll get roasted for this, could easily make 200 bushels with 3-5 timely 1" passes. The problem is that 200 bushels isn't enough in NE. You need 230+. The allotment that I've heard of at the moment is 3 yrs, 45". No reasonable person should complain about that if they are hoping for longevity.
3-5 timely pivot inches on average is certainly enough for 200 bpa corn, and 7-8" on average can do 230 "here". So far, I agree with you.
However, here, we're looking at 45" over five years. It's fine for pivots, and in the long run is probably where we need to be at. So I will try not to grumble about it too much. I will note that it renders gravity irrigation ineffective. We would need that 45" over 3 yrs to continue effective gravity irrigation. Probably I'll simply lower the yield goals on the remaining gravity fields when/if we hit allocation level. I can reliably count on 180-190 bpa with 9" gravity so that's what I'll fertilize and plant for if the time comes.
With that said, my NRD is not yet in allocation. Allocation is set at the 1976 level. With all the acres, all the wells, all the pumping, the aquifer in my district has more water in it than it did 40 years ago.
I think that is the most important point.
|
Groundwater
