Pope Soil & Water

Providing Quality Conservation Resources since 1949

Providing Quality Conservation Resources Since 1949

Irrigation Management

The District provides a custom service to producers with irrigation.  This service will help you manage your water appropriation saving you time and money.  The service is a tool to help you decide when and how much to irrigate which is important to conserve and protect our sensitive ground water aquifers.

DOWNLOAD OUR IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT BROCHURE

IrrigationSoilSampleWhen should I irrigate? How much should I irrigate?

Pope SWCD offers:

  • Weekly field soil moisture checks
  • Weekly updates with graphs suggesting when and how much to irrigate
  • Uniformity tests (Additional charge for this service as needed)

SERVICE BENEFITS

  • Maximize irrigation efficiencies and maximize yields
  • Conserve groundwater resources
  • Save money and time
  • Prevent under-irrigation and reduced yields
  • Prevent irrigating at the wrong time causing stunted root growth and decreased opportunity for rainfall storage
  • Loss of important nutrients which are
    expensive and can cause contamination to groundwater

WEEKLY FIELD TESTING FOR SOIL MOISTURE

IrrigationSchedulingGraphA SWCD Technician will visit each field each week to collect a soil sample in the root zone of the plant using a soil probe or spade. This information sampled will be entered into the computer program to estimate if adequate soil moisture is present for the crop at the current
growth stage.

INVESTMENT

$250.00 for the first field
$175.00 for each additional field
Includes all scheduling services, rain gauge, and rain gauge installation at each field.

INCENTIVES

  • 20-35% savings in water, energy, pesticide, and fertilizer.
  • Increase yield by timely application of water during sensitive growth stages.
  • Decreased leaching of nutrients and chemicals into groundwater.

COST SHARE ASSISTANCE

Irrigation Management is an approved practice under the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP). Landowners should inquire with NRCS/SWCD staff to learn more and determine if they are eligible for this program.

 

 

No Till Drill

Rent a no-till drill from Pope SWCD. The benefit of using a no-till system is that the soil is left undisturbed from harvest to planting except if there are any nutrient injections. The planting is accomplished by the drill creating a slot in the ground to place the seed. If weed control is need typically herbicides are used.

The SWCD has 2 new Haybuster 10 1/2' no-till drills. A SWCD technician will assist the landowner by delivering, calibrating, and adjusting the drill to the planting depth desired on site.  A landowner may also pick up the no till drill from our office after they have made arrangements with our staff.  In this situation the service fee will be waived.

A No-Till Program will help conserve subsoil moisture allowing your plantings a better start. The residue will break down and also provide nutrient benefits to the crop planted.

We can also do your entire project custom from start to finish. We have all the necessary equipment to get your project done! Contact us for a free estimate and consultation (320) 634-5327.

For rental of a no-till drill or the if you want more information about the program, call our office at (320) 634-5327.

Tree Planting

Windbreak20062006Our staff is available to work with you one on one and prepare a FREE tree site plan and evaluation.  These plans are custom to your site and needs.

We encourage you to call our office or contact us to set up an onsite visit to help design your site.

Weed Barrier Fabric

Weed Barrier fabric can be custom installed for $0.60 per foot.

This product will help improve growth of newly planted trees, retain moisture, and reduce weed competition.

Click Here to Download Brochure for more information about the process of installing weed barrier fabric.