While irrigation can mitigate risks associated with
insufficient rainfall during the growing season, it can also present financial,
regulatory, and production risks if not operated in a sound manner. This
project helped row-crop producers in Coastal Virginia manage these risks by
providing information on 1) estimating the costs and benefits of supplemental
irrigation, 2) regulatory requirements surrounding irrigation, and 3) methods
for efficient irrigation management. This information was delivered through a
two-day workshop at the Virginia Tech Tidewater Agricultural Research and
Extension Center (AREC) and through the development of tools and extension
factsheets. This project helped producers achieve the following results:
1. Understand
rough costs for installation and operation of irrigation systems and develop
estimates of the costs and benefits of irrigation for their own operations.
2. Understand
the permitting and reporting requirements for withdrawing water for irrigation
and obtain necessary permits if wells are installed.
3. Understand
the benefits of irrigation scheduling on profit, yield, and environmental
stewardship and manage irrigation water application to optimize growing
conditions
A total of 39 growers and extension personnel participated
in the workshop, and additional educational materials
have been created and posted online so they are available to growers in the
future.