North Dakota State University
NDSU Extension Service
No. 172, October 1998
http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extnews/snouts
December 9, 1998, Seven Seas Motel, Mandan, N.D.
Update on the Oakes Irrigation Site
Using GIS with Soils Data and Irrigation
Prepare Your Irrigation System for Winter
Index of 1998 Water Spouts Articles
The Missouri Slope Irrigation Development Association (MSIDA) and the NDSU Extension Service will jointly host an irrigation exposition and workshop. Companies that represent equipment and products used by irrigators will be present at the exposition. The workshop will begin at 9 a.m. and cover topics of interest to existing irrigators.
A concurrent program will be offered in the morning for people interested in getting into irrigation and new irrigators. Topics covered will include water sources, irrigation water quality, irrigation water permits, irrigable soils, irrigation equipment and basic irrigation management. Registration will be at the door. More information about the workshop will be included in a mail piece to be sent out in November.
I would welcome any suggestions from you about topics relevant to irrigation that should be presented at this meeting.
Tom Scherer, (701) 231-7239
NDSU Extension Agricultural Engineer
tscherer@ndsuext.nodak.edu
On July 1, 1998 some minor changes were made in the management of the Oakes Irrigation Research Station (OIRS). These changes should not affect research activities very much. The major funding support for the OIRS continues to be from the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District (GDCD) as has been the case for 28 years. Previously, the GDCD would give NDSU a grant for the operating expenses of the Oakes Field Trials Site. The Carrington Research Extension Center (CREC) administered the money.
The GDCD also paid a research supervisor to oversee the Oakes Irrigation Research Station. The research supervisor developed the budgets, managed personnel, was mostly responsible for deciding what research was to be done (and did most of it), and was responsible for publication of the research data and other extension activities associated with the OIRS such as field days, tours, and other presentations. This arrangement created a situation where the research supervisor was responsible to both NDSU and GDCD for the operation of the OIRS.
The major part of the change is that the GDCD will now give NDSU a grant for financial support of the research supervisor. The research supervisor joins the faculty at NDSU as an associate agronomist at the CREC. He reports to the CREC director. The basic operation of the OIRS continues the same as before the change. The research supervisor's duties continue as they were previously. The GDCD will still influence the direction of research at the OIRS through a research contract.
One other change is the name of the OIRS. In 1996, the name was changed from the "Oakes Irrigation Field Trials" to the "Oakes Irrigation Research Station" (OIRS). On July 1, 1998, the name was changed again to the "Oakes Irrigation Research Site of the Carrington Research Extension Center."
We will continue to do research on irrigated vegetable production. The 1998 annual research report will be published in January or February of 1999. We look forward to serving the people of North Dakota for many years to come.
Richard Greenland, (701) 742-2189
Research Supervisor, OIRS
rgreenla@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Soils information is an essential component to successful crop production under irrigation. Before a producer makes the initial investment in irrigation equipment, water quality and soil properties should be analyzed to determine their compatibility. Soils may be incompatible to irrigation for a number of reasons. Probably the most common reason relates to salts contained in the irrigation water and lack of adequate internal drainage.
Under certain combinations of water and soils, salts and sodium will accumulate in the soil to the extent that crop yields are significantly diminished or eliminated all together. Lack of adequate water holding capacity is another reason why soil and water compatibility need to be determined. Extremely coarse-textured soils may lack the capacity to retain enough water between irrigations to supply needs of crops with large water use requirements. Soils with low capacity to store water also pose environmental problems related to groundwater contamination because water not stored in the soil percolates beyond plant roots to the water table below.
Making soil/water compatibility interpretations has been a tedious process, because most cropped fields consist of several different types of soil. Before proper management recommendations can be made, each soil type needs to be assessed and then considered within the context of the other soils in the field. This not only requires information about soil properties, but also about their extent and patterns in each field. Soil survey maps have been used to provide this information but have had limited practical use due to the time consuming process of data manipulation and transfer into meaningful formats. Recent innovations in data storage and retrieval using computerized formats have made it possible to quickly retrieve and modify soil map information for specific uses.
Accurate natural resource information that would have taken months to prepare can now be accessed and manipulated at the touch of a button. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are computer software packages that make this possible. Presently the availability of computerized county soil survey maps is the main limitation to utilizing this technology. In North Dakota there is an on-going program for soil map digitization to computer format. Soil maps for Dickey, Golden Valley, Griggs, McIntosh, Ransom, Rolette, Towner, and Williams counties are available in the digitized format.
An example of how easily information from computerized soil maps can be accessed is the display of potential for ground-water contamination from pesticides at the NDSU Internet site http://www.ageng.ndsu.nodak.edu:83. This information is presently available for Golden Valley, Griggs, McIntosh, and Williams counties. It is apparent that if groundwater contamination potential can be displayed this easily so can other soil interpretations such as irrigability.
The beauty of using soils information for these interpretations lies in the fact that county soil survey information was prepared for management of specific fields. Therefore, we can make interpretations and recommendations related to management at the field level. This ability to work with field level data contributes to the technology associated with site specific farming.
Bruce Seelig, (701) 231-8690
NDSU Extension Water Quality Specialist
bseelig@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Irrigation systems, just like other farm equipment, need regular routine maintenance, especially when most of the equipment stays outdoors. Performing the following maintenance items will help ensure your irrigation equipment is in good shape when you start it next spring.
Fall is the best time to chlorinate a well. Iron bacteria will proliferate in a well that is not being used, and the only way to control the spread of iron bacteria is to kill it with chlorine. Left unchecked, iron bacteria will plug the well screen and reduce the production capability of the well. The chlorination procedure is outlined in NDSU Extension circular AE-97, "Operation and Maintenance of Irrigation Wells." You can obtain a copy from your county Extension office or by contacting me.
Pipes, valves, tanks, centrifugal pumps, etc., should be drained of water or pumped out to prevent damage from freezing. Underground pipelines are full of water and need to be pumped, drained or blown out before November 15. After the water has been removed from the pipeline, the pipeline should be checked several days later to see that all the water has been removed. Protect pump-out risers and other equipment from livestock. Close or cover any openings that might invite animals or rodents to enter.
For oil-lubricated deep-well turbine pumps, after the pump is cold, open the oiler and let oil drip into the line shaft bearings. Rotate the shaft to distribute the oil over the entire bearing. The cold oil will adhere to the cold bearings and provide good winter protection. Check the packing gland around the shaft on the pump head, if it is worn or missing pieces, replace with new material. On belt driven pumps, remove the belts and store in a dry place. If you can't remove the belts easily, then reduce the tension on the belts. If the belts are worn or frayed, replace with new belts in the spring.
If possible, remove the flowmeter and pressure gages and cover or plug the holes. If the flowmeter does not work, winter provides a good time to have it repaired or replaced. Note broken pressure gages and replace with new ones in the spring.
Pipes should be stored on racks so that one end is above the ground to permit drainage and air circulation. Protect them from livestock.
Gaskets are an extremely important part of above-ground pipelines (including gated pipe). Flow testing on pumps and pipelines in Nebraska showed that many above-ground pipelines lost between 10 and 35% of the pumped water between the pump and the irrigation system. Cracks and other leaks in the pipelines accounted for some of the lost water, but most of the water was lost due to old or missing gaskets.
If possible, remove the gaskets when storing pipe for winter. Inspect them and obtain replacements for any that are damaged or leaked during use. Store the gaskets in clean water in a place that will not freeze. This prevents them from cracking and drying out. Do not hang gaskets on a nail or hook. If they cannot be stored in water, place them over a pipe that has a slightly smaller diameter than the gasket and keep out of direct sunlight. Covering the gaskets to restrict air movement will also help to prevent drying out and cracking. If the pipe is to remain in the field, loosen the connectors but don't split all the sections of pipe (some may need to be split to drain water). In the spring, make sure the gaskets are in good condition before inserting in the pipeline.
The nozzle on a sprinkler controls the amount of water applied. When the nozzle diameter increases due to normal wear or sand in the water, the amount of water put out by the nozzle will increase. For multiple sprinkler head systems like center pivots and wheel rolls, this will affect the uniformity of water application, which can result in over-application near the head end and under-application at the far end. Nozzle diameter can be checked with the shank end of a regular drill bit set. Nozzle sizes are commonly listed as whole number multiples of 1/64th inch. For example, a number 13 nozzle would be 13/64 inch in diameter. If the correct size drill bit shank does not have a snug fit in the nozzle opening, then the nozzle is worn. If there is excessive nozzle wear, it pays to replace them.
The only sure way to make sure the sprinkler heads are working right is to have the system running and walk down the full length of the pivot carefully watching the action of each head. If some sprinkler heads are not working properly, their position on the system should be noted and they should be fixed or replaced by next year's growing season.
On center pivots and linear moves, check all gearboxes to see if each contains the proper amount of grease and for moisture accumulation. If excessive moisture is evident, drain and replace the grease as water mixed with the grease will decrease its lubrication ability and not provide the needed protection. Lubricate all fittings.
Check the water drain valve at each span of a center pivot system. Remove and clean the sand trap at the end of the pivot. Here is where sand, scale and other debris collects during the summer. Note the makeup and amount of the material collected in the trap. Unusual amounts of sand could indicate a problem with the well. Drain all water-carrying lines. Drain the booster pump case.
Park center pivot systems pointing into either a northwest or southeast direction. Part-circle pivots near a tree windbreak should be parked next to the windbreak. If livestock will be in the field with the system, it should be fenced from the livestock.
Chemical injector pumps should be flushed with water, then drained and, if transportable, stored in a clean dry place. If the pump is belt driven, loosen the belt.
Check all electric motor openings to make sure they are properly screened to keep rodents out. Rodents like to chew on motor winding insulation in the winter time. Often chewed windings result in shorts and a burned out motor the next year. If a screen is damaged or missing, replace with ΒΌ-inch mesh screen. This screen can then be left in place during operation without plugging with dust and debris. Electric motors are best left open to free air movement to keep moisture condensation in the motor to a minimum. Lubricate all bearings and rotate motor. Change oil in the motor reservoir if discolored.
On electrical control panel doors, replace the seals if hard or broken to keep moisture, dust and rodents out. Seal all openings into the electrical control box to prevent rodents from entering and damaging the wiring. Lock the control box in the "OFF" position. Spraying electrical contacts with contact cleaner will displace dirt and moisture to prevent corrosion.
For internal combustion engines, special attention must be paid to lubrication, the cooling system, ignition, engine openings and the fuel system. Enclosing the engine would be ideal. Where it is impossible to provide housing, proper winterizing is especially important.
Change the oil and filter when the engine is warm, then run the engine briefly to circulate. Clean and replace the air cleaner. Remove and clean the spark plugs, pour 2 ounces of oil into each plug hole and replace plugs. Rotate the crank shaft several turns to allow the oil to thoroughly coat the cylinder walls.
The cooling system should be flushed and refilled with the proper antifreeze solution. This will prevent rust and scale from forming in the cooling system. For gasoline engines, add fuel stabilizer and run the engine, or drain all fuel from tank, lines, and carburetor. For diesel engines, fill tank, DO NOT drain. Replace the fuel filter and leave all lines and injectors filled with diesel fuel. For LP gas engines, drain the vaporizer-regulator (both fuel and water lines).
Seal all openings with weatherproof tape (air cleaner inlet, exhaust, distributor cap and crankcase breather tube). Lubricate all accessories. Loosen belts. Remove the battery, charge it and store in a cool, dry place.
A small amount of maintenance and repair will ensure your irrigation system starts and runs properly next growing season.
Tom Scherer, (701) 231-7239
Extension Agricultural Engineer
tscherer@ndsuext.nodak.edu
(also available at this web address: http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extnews/snouts)
Cost Comparison of Energy from Electric and Diesel Fuel, Tom
Scherer
The Effect of Planting Date on Irrigated Grain Corn, Walt Albus
Selecting Center Pivot Sprinkler Packages, Tom Scherer
Determining Rental Rates of Irrigated Land, Dwight Aakre
Growing Dry Beans in 1998, Duane Berglund
Soil-Water Compatibility Recommendations, Larry Cihacek
Irrigation Water Sample Information Sheet
Opportunities to Tie Livestock Production to Irrigated Acres,
Greg Lardy
White Mold Management in Dry Beans, Art Lamey
Basic Irrigation Management with a Soil Probe, Tom Scherer
Startup Maintenance for Irrigation Systems, Tom Scherer
MSIDA Annual Irrigation Tour on July 14
Knowing Daily Crop Water Use is a Valuable Part of Irrigation
Water Management, Tom Scherer Alfalfa New Products Initiative
(ANPI), Rudy Radke
Predicting Alfalfa Quality in the Field, Dwain Meyer
Groundwater Remediation with Traveling Gun Irrigation System,
Brad Miller
Remote Sensing to Enhance Nitrogen Management in Precision
Agriculture, Walt Albus
Rain: How Much is Beneficial During the Growing Season? Dean
Steele
Timing the Last Irrigation, Duane Berglund
Spraying onto the Road is Against the Law, Tom Scherer
Temporary Corn Storage, Ken Hellevang
Wind Erosion Under Center Pivots, Tom Scherer
Field Safety for Anhydrous Ammonia Application, George Maher
Now is the Time to Start Managing Center Pivot Wheel Tracks, Tom
Scherer
Tech Tips: Rodents, Electric Control Panels, Recording Water
Level Data
Irrigation Workshop on December 9, 1998
Using GIS with Soils Data and Irrigation, Bruce Seelig
Update on the Oakes Irrigation Site, Richard Greenland
Prepare Your Irrigation System for Winter, Tom Scherer
Water Spouts, No. 172, October 1998
NDSU Extension Service, North Dakota State University of
Agriculture and Applied Science, and U.S. Department of
Agriculture cooperating. Sharon D. Anderson, Director, Fargo,
North Dakota. Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress
of May 8 and June 30, 1914. We offer our programs and facilities
to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin,
religion, sex, disability, age, Vietnam era veterans status, or
sexual orientation; and are an equal opportunity employer.
This publication will be made available in alternative formats
for people with disabilities upon request, 701/231-7881.
North Dakota State University
NDSU Extension Service