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UGA Extension’s AgWET Programming Promotes Irrigation Efficiency While Providing Education Opportunities for Ag Producers

Extension Education

Savannah Tanner
County Extension Agent
University of Georgia
Swainsboro

Abstract

The availability of water in the state of Georgia is very important to the overall state economy, but especially in agriculture. In recent years there have been multiple disputes between the State of Georgia and its neighboring states over water use rights. Though the most recent case ruled in favor of Georgia, the ruling “emphasized that Georgia has an obligation to make reasonable use of basin waters in order to help conserve that increasingly scarce resource.” UGA Extension, through a team of agents, specialists, educators and interns worked together with agricultural producers on irrigation water management and the use of technologies available in an effort to promote the efficient use of water resources in 35 producer fields across 27 counties. This impacted over 2713 acres of row crops in the state of Georgia which included 316 acres of corn, 668 acres of cotton, 1577 acres of peanuts, and over 200 acres in fruits, vegetables and pecans. Phones calls, text messages field visits and emails maintained a constant flow of pertinent information. Agents presented in five field days where they demonstrated types of sensors available, pros and cons of each, installation methods, funding available, irrigation scheduling and more. According to research done in 2018-2019 on peanut irrigation, correcting over irrigation can be a decrease of between 1.5 inches to 6 inches of irrigation applied or an average of 3.75 inches. Similar research in cotton in 2020 and corn in 2022 yielded a decrease of 2.25 inches and 11 inches of irrigation, respectively. Using the average of 3.75 inches over 1577 acres of peanuts, 2.25 inches over 668 acres of cotton and 11 inches on 316 acres of corn, this project yields a water savings of over 295 million gallons of water.

Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

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Authors: Savannah Tanner, Sydni Barwick , Jason Mallard
  1. Tanner, S. County Extension Agent, UGA Extension , Georgia, 30401
  2. Barwick , S. Thomas County ANR Agent , UGA Extension , Georgia, 31799
  3. Mallard , J. SED Water Agent , UGA Extension , Georgia, 30458