Producers getting ready for the 2018 row crop growing season have opportunities to sharpen their water management skills through schools being offered by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, according to a news release.
The division is offering three schools: one for using Multiple Inlet Rice Irrigation, one for soil moisture sensors and the third which is both Surge and Soil Moisture Sensor School that covers surge valve use and layout as well as the basics of soil moisture sensors and how to use them to schedule irrigation.
The number of participants for each school is limited to 12-15 people. The rice irrigation schools cover how to use a mobile app and electronic levee files to design for poly pipe in rice fields and how to get the data from the tractor to the app. There is no cost for the rice irrigation school.
The $400 cost of the Surge and Soil Moisture school includes eight sensors, a slide hammer installation tool and a manual reader for those that don’t have the tools needed to use sensors. Participants construct sensors and install them as part of the school.
Chris Henry, associate professor-irrigation with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said industry has provided a deep discount on the supplies needed to get started with sensors, so that participants can get the tools they need to use sensors effectively for irrigation.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Surge Valve and Soil Moisture Sensor Schools
March 1 — 9 a.m.to 3 p.m., STUTTGART — Rice Research and Extension Center. To register for a surge valve and soil moisture sensor school contact Phil Horton 870-946-3231.
March 2 — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., NEWPORT — Jackson County Extension Office; surge valve and soil moisture sensor school. To register contact Matt Davis, 870-523-7450.
March 9 — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., MARIANNA — Lon Mann Cotton Research Station. To register contact Stan Baker, 870-295-7720.
March 21 — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., RECTOR — Rector Community Center; surge and soil moisture sensor school. To register, contact Stewart Runsick, 870-857-6875,
Soil moisture sensor school
March 6 — 11 a.m., MANILA — Manila airport auditorium; Soil moisture sensor school. To register, contact Ray Benson, 870-762-2075.
Multiple Inlet Rice Irrigation App School
March 5 — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., MARIANNA — Lon Mann Cotton Research Station. To register, contact Stan Baker, 870-295-7720.
March 7 — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., STUTTGART — Rice Research and Extension Center. To register, contact Phil Horton 870-946-3231.
March 9 — 4:30 to 8 p.m., WYNNE — East Arkansas Community College. To register, contact Rick Wimberley, 870-238-5745.
March 20 — 5 to 8 p.m., RECTOR Rector Community Center. To register, contact Stewart Runsick, 870-857-6875.
For more information on irrigation, visit https://www.uaex.edu/environment-nature/water/irrigation.aspx or contact a county extension office.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. Those who require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, should contact the county extension office listed as part of the session they plan to attend as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.