Surge Valve, Moisture Sensor School Sessions Set For Feb. 27, March 5

MARY HIGHTOWER

STUTTGART, ARKANSAS

Farmers and other agriculture industry personnel can learn how surge valves and soil moisture sensors can improve irrigation at daylong sessions set for Feb. 27 at the Reynolds Center in Paragould and March 5 at the Northeast Research and Extension Center at Keiser.

“This school covers how surge valves function and how to use them to improve irrigation,” said Chris Henry, professor and water management engineer for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “Participants will learn to program and design a computerized hole selection plan using Pipe Planner for surge irrigation. 

“The second half of the surge school is practical, where participants program valves for different conditions,” he said.

 The school is open to extension agents, conservation agency personnel, consultants and others who want to learn about the latest tools for irrigation scheduling and efficiency.

There is no cost to attend, but the cost of the optional materials is $680 for four sensors, the reader, and a slide hammer. The cost of the workshop is to defray the cost of supplies and irrigation tools and for the convenience of the participants in obtaining the tools necessary to start using sensors. 

Attendees should register at least two days in advance. Space is limited to 20 participants.

• To register for the Paragould event, contact Dave Freeze at 870-476-9891 or Adam Eades, 870-212-3000.
• To register for the Keiser event, contact Ethan Brown at 870-919-4812, or Alan Beach at 870-278-6418.

The agenda for each day:

• 9 a.m. — Surge school
• 9:45 a.m. — Surge controller — hands-on
• 11 a.m. — Soil sensor school
• 1 p.m. — Soil moisture sensors — hands-on
• Noon — Lunch provided
• 2:30 p.m. — Soil moisture installation
• 3 p.m. — Adjourn

Support for these schools is provided by the Arkansas Natural Resource Conservation Service, Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. U.S. Forest Service, Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Board, Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board.

For more information, contact Henry at cghenry@uark.edu; Russ Parker, rparker@uada.edu 870-636-1329; Robert Goodson, rgoodson@uada.edu 870-995-4505;  or Rick Wimberley, at. 870-588-1943, rwimberley@uada.edu. ∆

MARY HIGHTOWER: University of Arkansas