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<br />00 <br />':~,l <br />(,,~ <br />..-/ <br />: :--) <br />c;) <br /> <br />cated a net loss to the entire quarter section operation. The "corner" <br /> <br />system displayed the next to the least loss with the idle corners practice <br /> <br />indicating the least loss of the four corner practices. <br /> <br />There are several considerations associated with the "corner" systems <br /> <br />which are not emphasized by the budgets. Whi~e cropping the corners does <br /> <br />help from a noxious weed control standpoint, wildlife habitat and ground- <br /> <br />water recharge from using river water are not provided. Also, wind erosion <br /> <br />control is provided to only a limited extent, mainly during the growing <br /> <br />season. During the prep1anting tillage season, when winds are generally <br /> <br />the strongest in the Valley, there is essentially no protection, whereas <br /> <br />permanent cover will impede wind erosion during this period, especiallY <br /> <br />if the cover growth is dense and tall enough. <br /> <br />Another consideration involves the capital requirement necessary to <br /> <br />install the "corner" systems either new or as an adapter to present center <br /> <br />pivot systems. While the average annual ownership cost to cover this <br /> <br />additional investment is included in the budgets, the additional risk <br /> <br />and possible limit.s in capital aVailability are not considered in the <br /> <br />budgets. A local dealer quotation early in 1978 indicated an installation <br /> <br />'cost of $46,300 .for the "corner" system' compared to $37,300 for the <br /> <br />center pivot system without "cornering." These costs include the purchase <br /> <br />and installation of the sprinkler system including the pump and well. A <br /> <br />number of systems were installed during the 1978 growing season. <br /> <br />The practice of idling the corners showed up the second most pro- <br /> <br />fitab1e for malt barley, 50-50 potatoes-malt barley, and the current crop <br /> <br />mix rotation and also indicated the least loss for feed barley. This <br /> <br />- 15 - <br />