Editorial message
Opportunities in the world of irrigation By Stephen W. Smith, PhD, FASIC, CAIS, CLIA, Irrigation Association Editorial Board Chair
Someone once said, “When in drought, plan for the next flood, and when in flood, plan for the next drought.” Human nature is such that when the climate “event du jour” has passed, then we tend to move on and neglect to do the important strategizing and planning that might be appropriate.
The most recent drought in California was catastrophic for all irrigators — both landscape and agriculture. Hurricane Harvey is in full swing as I write this editorial, and I am now watching nightly news about the cleanup and rebuilding efforts in Texas, while Hurricane Irma roars over the Atlantic with potential landfall over Florida.
I believe it’s important to think of the benefits of irrigation in mitigating, and recovering from, all natural disasters. Clearly, worldwide crop production is enhanced greatly with irrigation. Regardless of whether the natural disaster leaves us water short or water long, irrigation gets us back on track with quality food production.
As you turn the pages of this issue, you will find interesting crop yield studies focusing on three irrigation methods: drip, close-spacing/low energy precision application sprinkler and subsurface drip. This issue also introduces our readers to the Gothenburg Water Utilization Center, a little-known gem located in Gothenburg, Nebraska. I have had the pleasure of touring this facility and it is impressive.
At least regionally, the Gothenburg Center is well known, and they invite growers from the area to show off research results and demonstrate irrigation technologies. One of the best ways to further technology transfer in agriculture is to bring farmers together for discussion and comparison of successes.
We are just two months away from the 2017 Irrigation Show and Education Conference. As we find our friends and peers in Orlando, let’s look positively toward a future with ever- increasing water-use efficiency and improved irrigation management. Irrigation is a very important part of our collective future.
Photo credit: Stephen W. Smith 4 Irrigation TODAY | October 2017
Representatives from the five universities involved in the formation and funding efforts for the irrigation consortium recently met to discuss the project: (from left) Brent Auvermann, PhD, Texas A&M University; David Zoldoske, PhD, Fresno State University; Reagan Waskom, Colorado State University; Stephen Smith, IA Board and FFAR Water Scarcity Advisory Board; Christopher Neale, PhD, University of Nebraska, Water for Food Institute; and Cathie Lavis, PhD, Kansas State University (not pictured).
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