{"id":949,"date":"2018-11-26T13:13:03","date_gmt":"2018-11-26T21:13:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/?p=949"},"modified":"2019-03-13T14:00:26","modified_gmt":"2019-03-13T21:00:26","slug":"research-update-irrigation-training-to-optimize-irrigation-efficiency-and-minimize-nutrient-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/research-update-irrigation-training-to-optimize-irrigation-efficiency-and-minimize-nutrient-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"Research Update: Irrigation Training to Optimize Irrigation Efficiency and Minimize Nutrient Loss"},"content":{"rendered":"

Project Leaders:<\/strong> Trina Walley, Program Coordinator with East Stanislaus Resource Conservation District and Khaled Bali, Irrigation Water Management Specialist for University of California Kearney Agriculture Research and Extension Center
\nProject Status: <\/strong>Year One
\nProject Location: <\/strong>Stanislaus County<\/p>\n

Overview<\/strong><\/p>\n

With growing advancements in technology, there is a high demand for individuals with technical training in irrigation and nitrogen management. The East Stanislaus Resource Conservation District (ESRCD) is addressing this need by hosting trainings coupled with on-farm irrigation system assessments.<\/p>\n

Irrigation and Nutrient Management Workshops<\/strong><\/p>\n

The workshops are designed to help individuals become more efficient irrigators and identify potential improvements to their current systems. These pre- and post-irrigation season workshops are being presented in both Spanish and English to increase educational opportunities for agricultural workers. Discussion topics include distribution uniformity (DU) testing, system maintenance, data management, irrigation scheduling, and fertigation.<\/p>\n

The next set of workshops is projected for February 2019. For information on upcoming workshop dates, subscribe to the FREP Calendar.<\/a><\/p>\n

Irrigation Evaluations <\/strong><\/p>\n

The assessment portion of the program collects field data to determine irrigation system distribution uniformity and efficiency. The evaluations are followed by a detailed report and meeting with the mobile irrigation lab staff to provide recommendations to improve management and maximize irrigation system performance. The assessment is also followed up with one-on-one technical assistance to document changes and improvements.<\/p>\n

To date, 32 properties have received evaluations and recommendations covering a total of 1,350 acres, mostly devoted to permanent crops. Among those, an average DU has been recorded at 87%, which is considered satisfactory for pressurized systems.<\/p>\n

The most common causes of nonuniformity are maintenance issues and operation errors. Maintenance issues include leaks, breaks, plugged emitters and clogged hose screens. Related problems can be addressed by flushing filters and lines regularly and frequently walking the block to monitor and fix leaks. The second major cause of nonuniformity is pressure differences that\u00a0arise when systems operate above or below their recommended range due to leaks, pump issues, excessive friction loss, elevation change or other problems. Pressure differences can be addressed by using in-field pressure regulators, pressure compensating drippers\/emitters, or making sure the system is being operated according to design and equipment specifications. These and other challenges will be addressed in upcoming workshops.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Impact: <\/strong>Just in its first year, this project has documented and addressed the need for grower and farm manager continued education on irrigation and nutrient best management practices. The research team, along with interns from Modesto Junior College, has helped growers identify issues with their irrigation system operation and maintenance. These improvements will have long-term impacts on increasing irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer efficiency on Stanislaus County farms.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Project Leaders: Trina Walley, Program Coordinator with East Stanislaus Resource Conservation District and Khaled Bali, Irrigation Water Management Specialist for University of California Kearney Agriculture Research and Extension Center Project Status: Year One Project Location: Stanislaus County Overview With growing advancements in technology, there is a high demand for individuals with technical training in irrigation and nitrogen management. The East …<\/p>\n

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These grants will fund four projects that will improve the efficiency and reduce the environmental\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "FREP Grant Program"","block_context":{"text":"FREP Grant Program","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/category\/frep-grant-program\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1016,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/upcoming-events-in-2019-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":949,"position":1},"title":"FREP Appearances at Upcoming Events in 2019","author":"Brooke Elliot","date":"December 18, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"The California Department of Food & Agriculture\u2019s Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) will have a booth or table at events in the upcoming months. Stop by to say \u2018hello\u2019 and pick up educational materials about nutrient and irrigation management. Plant and Soil Conference What: The California chapter of the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nutrient Management Events"","block_context":{"text":"Nutrient Management Events","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/category\/nutrient-management-events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":920,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/frep-awards-projects\/","url_meta":{"origin":949,"position":2},"title":"FREP Awards Projects to Improve Agricultural Fertilizer Management and Water Quality","author":"Brooke Elliot","date":"November 6, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"The California Department of Food and Agriculture's (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is pleased to announce the award of over $1.1 million in grant funds to agricultural organizations and universities. These grants will fund six projects that will improve the efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of fertilizer\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "FREP Grant Program"","block_context":{"text":"FREP Grant Program","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/category\/frep-grant-program\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":2755,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/cdfa-announces-vacancies-on-fertilizer-inspection-advisory-board-technical-advisory-subcommittee\/","url_meta":{"origin":949,"position":3},"title":"CDFA Announces Vacancies on Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board Technical Advisory Subcommittee","author":"Jennifer Harmon","date":"April 9, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The California Department of Food and Agriculture is now accepting applications to fill four vacancies on the Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board\u2019s Technical Advisory Subcommittee (TASC). TASC serves as an expert scientific panel on matters concerning efficient use of fertilizing materials and irrigation water. TASC members advise on Fertilizer Research and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Technical Advisory Subcommittee"","block_context":{"text":"Technical Advisory Subcommittee","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/category\/technical-advisory-subcommittee\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":212,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/events-for-march-2017\/","url_meta":{"origin":949,"position":4},"title":"Events for March 2017","author":"Brooke Elliot","date":"February 27, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Efficient Irrigation and Nitrogen Use Workshop What: Hosted by the California Almond Sustainability Program, this workshop gives almond growers an opportunity to learn about tools and techniques to increase irrigation efficiency through Almond Board of California\u2019s (ABC\u2019s) Irrigation Continuum, and to improve the accuracy of nitrogen applications through the use\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nutrient Management Events"","block_context":{"text":"Nutrient Management Events","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/category\/nutrient-management-events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":260,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/fertigation-short-course\/","url_meta":{"origin":949,"position":5},"title":"Fertigation Short Course","author":"Brooke Elliot","date":"June 15, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"What: A one-day short course on fertigation is being offered by the Cal Poly Irrigation Training and Research Center (ITRC) with funding from the Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. 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