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IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT SERVICE New Soil and Water Lab In Operation . The NCWCD recently expanded lIs Irrigation Management Service (IMS) program to include improved procedures for analyzing soil and water samples, This adds yet another dimension to the many services provided by the District to northeastern Colorado farmers. The lab provides anOlher tool for encouraging farmers to bener manage fertilizer applications while also conserving water. The soil and water testing lab is a part of the NCWCO"s Irrigation Management Service. The Jab is being utilized in the District's Nonpo;nt Source Pollution Research Program funded in part by the Colorado Department of Health, Water Quality Control Division. The objective of the program is to study and promote practical irrigation and fertilization methods tor reduction and control of nonpoint source pollution. Nonpoint source pollution is defined as all pollution that cannot be identified as coming from a site specific source such as industrial discharge pipes. The NCWCD believes that increasing public awareness and education is the most effective method tor long term control and reduction of nonpoint source pollution. The new lab provides IMS technicians with information that in turn helps farmers make belter decisions regarding fertilizer applicatIOns. IMS field studies coordinator Gary Hoffner explains. ~Through the program we hope to give bener. more accurate and more timely information to farmers. By doing so we will be able to tell a farmer If he is putting on too much fertilizer. not enough. or that he is losing much of hiS fertilizer through his irrigation practices.~ The lab is so important 10 the program because of the rapid turnaround tIme It can provide. Distnct staff can take soil samples from a field and within 48 hours indicate to the farmer It there IS too much or (00 little fertilizer on the field. Gary Hoffner workmg in new lab ~This will be very useful for those farmers who use split applications.~ says HoHner. ~For their second fertilizer applications we can measure the nitrogen content of the soil and determine the proper amounts to add for a projected yield_~ This year marks the 10th year the District has provided irngation management services to area farmers. From its small beginnings in 1981 (when four farmers signed up). to 1990 (when a wailtng list has to be kepI). the lMS program has come a long way. Much of this is due to the acceptance of NCWCD IrrigatIOn scheduling techniques. Another factor is the increaSing awareness of the agricultural community that certain practices are responsible for some of today's nonpolnt source pOllutIOn problems. "We need to study the processes in irrigated agriculture that generate nonpoint source pollutants and how those contaminants are transported to area water supplies.~ says IMS program coordinator Mark Crookston. ~ Accurate information is essential if we are to eHectively control nonpoint source pollutIOn.. "Agriculture is readily credited With generating significant nonpoint source pollution. However. what amount is attributable to irrigation and fertilizer practices. both on and off the farm? Those questions need to be answered.~ Crookston adds. Twenty.five cooperators. including over 70 separate fields, are partiCipating in the IMS program this year. Two summer employees have been hired to help conduct tests. manage the weather station network. and work With individual farmers on best methods for irrigation and fertilizer applications. . Crookston is justifiably proud of the IMS program. He says. ~more and more farmers are gaining confidence In the District's abilities to provide water scheduling information. Once they become aware of the financial and environmental incentives and are convinced that information is accurate. reliable, and available in a timely manner. they willingly adopt additional best management practices. It not only makes economic sense but environmental sense as well.~ -ThiS IS a positive program, one which helps lessen impacts to the environment.~ relales Hoffner. He adds. ~If we can reduce the amount of excess fertilizer applied to the land we can reduce the effect of nonpoint source pollution. This saves the farmer money and helps the envlronment.- With dedicated employees like Crookston and HoHner the IMS program can only get stronger. . B WA,TERNEWS SUMMER 1990