Das Essenhaus to Host Area Irrigation Meeting
Published: Friday, November 18, 2022
The annual meeting of the Michiana Irrigation Assn. will be held on Dec. 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Das Dutchman Essenhaus in Middlebury. Registration is required by calling Deanna Mumby at 269/998-1177 or by email at mumbyde@yahoo.com. There will be 5 RUP credits for category 1A, Commercial Core or Private Core; 4 CEU credits are also available.
Dan Quinn, Extension corn specialist, Purdue University, will be giving a review of intensive corn and soybean management that are grown using irrigation on upper Midwestern soils in the eastern Corn Belt. Irrigation systems will be discussed to best utilize applied nutrients for optimum yields while being most efficient with water use and protecting the water supply.
Having just graduated from University of California-Berkley and received an appointment at Michigan State University, Molly Sears will compare irrigation policy from a large Western state to that of the smaller states of Michigan and Indiana. She will discuss how researchers and farmers can work together to enhance agricultural productivity while reducing the amount of pollution that enters our waterways through better management of irrigation systems.
Jeff Andresen, professor of geography, Michigan State University, will be reviewing the 2022 growing season in terms of irrigation management to assist growers in achieving more efficient use of their irrigation water is 2023.
Younsuk Dong, Irrigation Specialist in the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering will review the benefits farmers can receive by evaluating how uniform the application of water across a center pivot irrigation system. Practices to correct uniformity issues, especially on older systems will be discussed. He will also be reviewing more profit with less water—basic scheduling to real-time soil sensor monitoring systems.
Andy LeBaron, Michigan EGLE, will be giving an update on the Mi-WWAT and the $10 million in federal stimulus dollars granted to EGLE for improvements to the Mi-WWAT
Todd Feenstra, president of Tritum Inc., will be providing an update on the Midwest Water Stewards. He will provide a review of the significant growth, monitoring results and impacts the Midwest Water Stewards has had for the area farmers and water quality protection.
Chris Iott, Social Sound owner, will be discussing the impact of managing your farm's message online along with cultivating your community.
Allison Mann and Mark Basch, Indiana DNR Division of Water, will give a brief overview of Indiana's Significant Water Withdrawal Facility (SWWF) registration and water use program. State Sen. Susan Glick (R-LaGrange) will be giving an update regarding water use and irrigation policies. She will review the current legislative efforts that may impact water use.
Cost for attending the meeting is $45, which includes lunch and dues to the association. Reservations are required.
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