Page 1 |
Previous | 1 of 4 | Next |
|
small (250x250 max)
medium (500x500 max)
Large
Extra Large
large ( > 500x500)
Full Resolution
All (PDF)
|
This page
All
|
To find more resources for your business, home, or family, visit the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences on the World Wide Web at aces.nmsu.edu Agronomic Principles to Help with Farming During Drought Periods Cooperative Extension Service • College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences INTRODUCTION Drought is defined as “a period of abnormally dry weather, sufficiently prolonged for the lack of water to cause serious hydrologic imbalance in the affected area” (Huschke, 1959, p. 180). Agriculturally, this means that the amount of water available can no longer meet the needs of the crops that are being grown. Without enough water, there will be reduced yield or even total yield loss. Water allocations and usage will continue to be important issues that will likely hinder agricultural production in many regions of the Southwest in the short- and long-term future (Figure 1). In regions of New Mexico that depend solely upon underground water for irrigation (e.g., eastern plains), water resources are declining at an alarming rate and well capacity is becoming more and more restricted and limiting for crop production. Drought situations can be made worse by high temperatures like those experienced during the 2011 growing season. During 2011, New Mexico experienced an unusual number of days with high temperatures and no rain. High temperatures will lead to high amounts of evapotranspiration, requiring the need for more irrigation for crop use. If enough moisture is not available during such hot days, the crop becomes more stressed, and this can lead to severe yield reductions. Incidences of drought have become more recurrent in the Southwest over the past decades. Therefore, farmers across New Mexico need to be prepared to effectively cope with drought in order to remain productive and profitable. This publication offers some suggestions that can help farmers develop strategies to cope with drought. GOOD PLANNING Since a drought situation is not “business as usual,” there is a need for a carefully planned strategy on how best to utilize the water that is available. An important consideration is to analyze the economics of the situation since it is different from normal years. The focus should be to optimize your economic returns with the water that is available. Don’t be too ambitious, hoping that the situation will improve through in-season rainfall. Plan ONLY for the water that you have or are assured of receiving. It is critical that you know exactly how much water you are capable of applying at any one time and over the duration of the growing season. This may involve a re-evaluation of your irrigation system (e.g., well capacity and nozzle package for sprinkler systems). It is also very important to know how much economic return will come from each inch of water that is applied. This will vary by crop grown and the market available for that crop in your region. If you need help with your plan, contact your county Cooperative Extension Agent, certified crop adviser (www.certifiedcropadviser.org), or irrigation specialist who Guide A-147 John Idowu, Mark Marsalis, and Robert Flynn 1Respectively, Extension Agronomist, Department of Extension Plant Sciences; Interim Superintendent, Agricultural Science Center at Clovis; and Extension Agronomist, Agricultural Science Center at Artesia, New Mexico State University. Figure 1. A lack of available water combined with high temperatures can cause severe problems for agricultural production.
Object Description
Title | Agronomic principles to help with farming during drought periods |
Series Designation | Guide A-147 |
Description | Guide containing recommendations for farming in New Mexico in periods of drought and high temperatures. |
Subject | Agronomy--Environmental aspects--New Mexico; dry environmental conditions (NAL); agronomy (NAL); New Mexico (NAL) |
Creator | Idowu, John; Marsalis, Mark A.; Flynn, Robert, 1963- |
Date Original | 2012-10 |
Digital Publisher | New Mexico State University Library; |
Rights | Copyright, NMSU Board of Regents. |
Collection | NMSU Cooperative Extension Service and Agricultural Experiment Station Publications |
Digital Identifier | UAAPg00A147 |
Source | http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_a/A147.pdf |
Type | Text |
Format | application/pdf |
Language | eng |
Page Description
Title | Page 1 |
Series Designation | Guide A-147 |
Subject | Agronomy--Environmental aspects--New Mexico; dry environmental conditions (NAL); agronomy (NAL); New Mexico (NAL) |
Creator | Idowu, John; Marsalis, Mark A.; Flynn, Robert, 1963- |
Date Original | 2012-10 |
Digital Publisher | New Mexico State University Library; |
Rights | Copyright, NMSU Board of Regents. |
Collection | NMSU Cooperative Extension Service and Agricultural Experiment Station Publications |
Is Part Of | Agronomic principles to help with farming during drought periods |
Type | Text |
Format | application/pdf |
Language | eng |
OCR | To find more resources for your business, home, or family, visit the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences on the World Wide Web at aces.nmsu.edu Agronomic Principles to Help with Farming During Drought Periods Cooperative Extension Service • College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences INTRODUCTION Drought is defined as “a period of abnormally dry weather, sufficiently prolonged for the lack of water to cause serious hydrologic imbalance in the affected area” (Huschke, 1959, p. 180). Agriculturally, this means that the amount of water available can no longer meet the needs of the crops that are being grown. Without enough water, there will be reduced yield or even total yield loss. Water allocations and usage will continue to be important issues that will likely hinder agricultural production in many regions of the Southwest in the short- and long-term future (Figure 1). In regions of New Mexico that depend solely upon underground water for irrigation (e.g., eastern plains), water resources are declining at an alarming rate and well capacity is becoming more and more restricted and limiting for crop production. Drought situations can be made worse by high temperatures like those experienced during the 2011 growing season. During 2011, New Mexico experienced an unusual number of days with high temperatures and no rain. High temperatures will lead to high amounts of evapotranspiration, requiring the need for more irrigation for crop use. If enough moisture is not available during such hot days, the crop becomes more stressed, and this can lead to severe yield reductions. Incidences of drought have become more recurrent in the Southwest over the past decades. Therefore, farmers across New Mexico need to be prepared to effectively cope with drought in order to remain productive and profitable. This publication offers some suggestions that can help farmers develop strategies to cope with drought. GOOD PLANNING Since a drought situation is not “business as usual,” there is a need for a carefully planned strategy on how best to utilize the water that is available. An important consideration is to analyze the economics of the situation since it is different from normal years. The focus should be to optimize your economic returns with the water that is available. Don’t be too ambitious, hoping that the situation will improve through in-season rainfall. Plan ONLY for the water that you have or are assured of receiving. It is critical that you know exactly how much water you are capable of applying at any one time and over the duration of the growing season. This may involve a re-evaluation of your irrigation system (e.g., well capacity and nozzle package for sprinkler systems). It is also very important to know how much economic return will come from each inch of water that is applied. This will vary by crop grown and the market available for that crop in your region. If you need help with your plan, contact your county Cooperative Extension Agent, certified crop adviser (www.certifiedcropadviser.org), or irrigation specialist who Guide A-147 John Idowu, Mark Marsalis, and Robert Flynn 1Respectively, Extension Agronomist, Department of Extension Plant Sciences; Interim Superintendent, Agricultural Science Center at Clovis; and Extension Agronomist, Agricultural Science Center at Artesia, New Mexico State University. Figure 1. A lack of available water combined with high temperatures can cause severe problems for agricultural production. |