WSARE 2000 Farmer/Rancher Grants-FW00-099

TITLE: Comparing Irrigation Methods for Organic Wheat Production

The Sangre de Cristo Growers Cooperative is comparing ditch irrigation with center pivot sprinkler irrigation

The Sangre de Cristo Growers Cooperative of Taos County, New Mexico is conducting a study comparing traditional ditch irrigation methods with center pivot sprinkler irrigation. For the past four years, area producers have been using ditch irrigation systems to water their crops. However, producers have found this method to be both time and labor intensive. The purpose of this study is to investigate the suitability of center pivot irrigation in the Taos County region in terms of cost and production. Sangre de Cristo wants to conduct a study that will be unique to the climate and soil of northern New Mexico.

With the help of a Western SARE Farmer/Rancher Research grant, the Sangre de Cristo Cooperative will lease a center pivot and set up a plot of wheat that will be irrigated using only the center pivot method. The Cooperative farmers will cultivate and plant their land as usual, using ditch irrigation. The discing/plowing methods and the planting ratios used by the producers will be documented so that the experimental plot can be handled similarly. Results will be measured through observation and documentation of plant growth and vigor, water usage, and soil composition. A cost/benefit analysis will also be included in the final report.

Sangre de Cristo plans to make the findings readily available to the public through two field days, which will be held during the course of the experiment. The first field day will allow the public to observe the fields and document plant growth and the amount and types of weeds in different plots. At the second field day, held just before harvest, the public can compare the size, hardness, and abundance of grain in the center-pivot and ditch-irrigated fields. A harvest day celebration with food and music will culminate the activities of the day.