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MSPB Members Commit to PHAUCET

The PHAUCET (Pipe Hole And Universal Crown Evaluation Tool) program for furrow irrigators is a proven tool that can be used to reduce the amount of irrigation water applied to row crops.  However, because of the urgency to conserve water in the Mississippi Delta, it probably isn’t being used enough, especially since various sources tout water savings of 20-25% when it is used.

The majority of irrigated soybeans in the Midsouth receive supplemental water through gated poly pipe.  The PHAUCET program is designed for use with this delivery system to uniformly water fields with uneven row lengths by calculating the proper hole size for each watered furrow.

The following are presentations that introduce and describe the PHAUCET program.

MSU turns PHAUCET on for Delta soybeans by Rebekah Ray

Improving furrow irrigation with help of  “PHAUCET” computer program by Phil Tacker and Steve Stevens

Implementation of PHAUCET computer program as BMP for improving furrow irrigation by Phil Tacker

PHAUCET by John Hester.

The PHAUCET program along with an operation guide can be downloaded from the Yazoo-Mississippi Delta Water Management District’s website. Slide presentations that provide detailed information about the program and its use are also available on their website.  The program can also be downloaded from the Delta F.A.R.M. website.

The MSPB is committed to reducing the amount of irrigation water applied to soybeans in order to reduce and eventually stop the decline in the Delta alluvial aquifer level.

To accomplish this, all MSPB members who furrow irrigate soybeans have made a commitment to use PHAUCET on 100% of their approximately 18,000 irrigated soybean acres in 2014.

For effect, I repeat this: All MSPB members who furrow irrigate soybeans have made a commitment to use PHAUCET on 100% of their approximately 18,000 irrigated soybean acres in 2014.

By making this commitment, the Board members are being proactive in underlining their personal commitment to water conservation in Mississippi.

Next week, I will report on other Mississippi agricultural groups who are also making this commitment by pledging to use management tools that are proven to reduce the amount of irrigation water applied to other crops.

Composed by Larry G. Heatherly, July 2013, larryheatherly@bellsouth.net