Recently, I posted information about the PHAUCET irrigation program.

Another potential water-saving tool that furrow irrigators can consider is surge irrigation.   It is designed to intermittently apply water to a set of irrigation furrows by cycling irrigation water between two sides of a surge valve.

The water-saving claim from using surge irrigation is based on the premise that water that is applied intermittently moves to the end of the field quicker than when applied continuously.  This is not a new tool, but has seldom been used by Delta irrigators.  Between now and the 2014 growing season, interested parties can investigate this tool and how to implement its use in their operation.  I will post new information about this tool and recent results from its use in coming months.

Information about the recent U.S. Congress action on the Farm Bill can be found in a podcast that was recently posted by the MSU Ag. Econ. Dept.  Dr. Keith Coble discusses the up-to-date progression of the Farm Bill action in both the House and Senate.  This podcast was posted on June 24.

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