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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Phase 2: Developing Viable Cropping Practices With Reduced Consumptive Water Use <br /> <br />On Farm Demonstrations <br />On farm demonstration of cropping systems will be used to test water saving concepts while <br />recording profit potential. The demonstrations are particularly useful for illustrating how systems <br />might be adopted throughout the South Platte River Basin. These on-farm demonstrations will be <br />done to evaluate the practicality and feasibility of the cropping systems. To date, we have identified <br />3 potential on-farm demonstrations as described below. As outlined in the ParkerlCSU contract, <br />Parker will underwrite the economic risk associated with demonstrating reduced water use cropping <br />practices. Therefore, an agreement should be made between Parker, the cooperating farmer and <br />CSU regarding the scope and concepts tested for all demonstrations conducted in farmers' fields. <br />Initial estimates of revenue are included below, but actual costs should be based on an end of season <br />comparison of costs and revenue of crops in the demonstration compared to on farm reference <br />yields of the same crop. In each case, farmers will conduct all crop management practices and CSU <br />researchers will monitor the demonstrations, assist in water use measurements, yield measurement, <br />and production cost determination to obtain detailed economic and water use data. <br /> <br />1. Limited Irrigation and Conservation Tillage Com Grain Production <br />Farm cooperator(s): Alan and Randy Gerk <br />Site description: 14 ac sweep of pivot following alfalfa <br />Adjacent fully irrigated com reference <br />Practices demonstrated: Limited irrigation com with growth stage timed irrigation <br />Strip tillage <br />Rotation fallow <br />Concepts evaluated: Reduced planting populations <br />Reduced N fertilizer inputs <br />ET and water use efficiency <br />Irrigation following 1 or 2 years of fallow <br /> <br />Narrative: Alan and Randy Gerk are young farmers that work together to support their families <br />using innovative farming approaches to produce com, small grains, and alfalfa. They have adopted <br />state of the art, satellite guidance systems for their tractors, use strip-tillage for soil and water <br />conservation, and follow agricultural best management practices. They are committed to a future in <br />crop production and are interested in exploring ways to remain viable during years with limited <br />irrigation water. They have dedicated a small center pivot sprinkler that swipes a 14-ac field to <br />researching water saving practices. For the 2007 cropping season, the pivot spans will be divided <br />to compare water use and savings among fully irrigated com, limited irrigation com, and rotational <br />crop management with fallow. <br /> <br />2. Partial Season Irrigation of Established Alfalfa and Grass Meadow Hay <br />Farm cooperator(s): Mike Schuppe (alfalfa) and Gordon Schuppe (Hay Meadow) <br />Site description: 6 ac interior span of center pivot alfalfa <br />6 ac interior span of center pivot grass meadow hay <br />Adjacent fully irrigated spans of both crops <br />Partial season irrigation <br />Focusing irrigation to cool seasons <br /> <br />Practices demonstrated: <br />Concepts evaluated: <br />