Oklahoma Irrigation Conference set for March 8 in Weatherford

Friday, December 15, 2017

Southern Plains agricultural producers looking to get the most out of their water-use investment should register now to attend the March 8 Oklahoma Irrigation Conference in Weatherford.

Saleh Taghvaeian, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension water resources specialist, said producers should think of the conference as “one-stop shopping” where they can receive the latest research-based insights and information about many irrigation-related subjects.

“Water is among the most important and in-demand resources in any state,” he said. “That means informed decision-making is a must for agricultural producers. Participants will not only have an opportunity to hear and interact with some of the region’s top experts but also to compare notes with other producers who may be in a situation similar to their own.”

In addition to agricultural producers, individuals interested in earning continuing education units also should consider attending this conference, as 4.5 Certified Crop Advisor CEUs are offered in the soil and water management category.

The conference will take place from 8:30 a.m. to approximately 4 p.m. at the Pioneer Cellular Event Center, located at 900 N. 75th St., north of Interstate 40 on the campus of Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Registration is $15 per participant. Attendees are asked to pre-register no later than Feb. 28.

“Pre-registration greatly aids our planning and helps ensure we have sufficient lunches, refreshments and session materials on hand,” Taghvaeian said.

Registration forms are available online at http://oces.okstate.edu/caddo/oklahoma-irrigation-conference and through all OSU Cooperative Extension county offices.

Conference sessions will include irrigation management of corn and sorghum, water use in wheat-canola rotations under different grazing and tillage practices, how the Oklahoma Mesonet can benefit crop water use, maximizing energy and water efficiency with center pivot irrigation systems, soil and water quality considerations relative to irrigation, irrigation management techniques for peanut production, understanding cotton irrigation requirement and using soil moisture sensors to improve irrigation, among others.

Sessions will be led by scientists and specialists from OSU’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

“Of particular interest this year should be the session on irrigating melons,” Taghvaeian said. “Horticulturist Daniel Leskovar of Texas A&M’s Research and Extension Center in Uvalde will provide the latest research-based insights relative to balancing yield and quality when irrigating watermelons.”

Taghvaeian added the 2018 conference also will be offering a session on chemigation and fertigation, in response to requests from many growers.

“This session will be led by Troy Ingram, who is a University of Nebraska-Lincoln irrigated cropping systems specialist and a practicing farmer with significant experience tackling and solving many of the issues producers face in their own operations,” he said.

David Nowlin, Caddo County Extension director and agricultural educator, said the annual event has increasingly become recognized as the leading conference in the Texas Rolling Plains region and western Oklahoma for irrigation information.

“All levels of the agriculture industry – from local to national – have stepped in over the years to help support the annual conference,” Nowlin said. “We’ve also proven popular with state and regional media who recognize the value of reporting on the timely and relevant information presented at the conference. It’s one-stop shopping for them as well as producers.”

The March 8 conference is sponsored by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service and the Oklahoma Water Resources Center. Anyone seeking additional information about the conference should contact Nowlin by email at david.nowlin@okstate.edu or by phone at 405-247-3376.