II WORKSHOP INTERNACIONAL: GESTÃO SUSTENTÁVEL DE RECURSOS HÍDRICOS NA AGRICULTURA IRRIGADA: Pesquisa, Políticas Públicas, Extensão Rural e Participação dos Agricultores do Nebraska, USA e do Oeste da Bahia, Brasil AUDITÓRIO AIBA - BARREIRAS, BA

1. Farming from My Perspective
Jerry Stahr, York, Nebraska Farmer

5. My Home

6. COOPERATIVES

7. COOPERATIVES

8. COOPERATIVES

9. ETHANOL

10. ETHANOL

11. SEED CORN AND RESEARCH

12. SEED CORN AND RESEARCH

13. SEED CORN AND RESEARCH

14. Water is
the
lifeblood
of
agriculture!

15. GROUNDWATER

16. PARTNERS WORKING TO CONSERVE OUR NATURAL
RESOURCES

17. Mid–Nebraska Water Quality Project
 The Mid–Nebraska Water Quality Project conducted from 1990
to 1998 focused on improved N management practices for
irrigated maize. This project involved 11 agencies and
organizations and received a total of $1.35 million in federal
funding for the Nebraska Extension component of the project. It
included 3.5 million acres of cropland and over 35 percent of
the corn production area in the state. Through efforts of this
project, producers saved $4.18 million annually in reduced N
application, with no reduction in yield.

18. 60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
Yield(bu/acre)
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
Nitrogen(lbs/acre)
Rec -
Rec
Rec +
Rec. N Rate
Expected
Yield
Mid-Nebraska Project

19. • The Network was established in early 2005 in
partnership with the UNL Extension and UBBNRD
• 18 growers as collaborators in 2005
• In 2006 we had about 60 growers and the NRCS joined
the partnership.
• In 2007 we had about 125+ growers in 9 NRD’s and 22
counties.
•Today over 1400 collaborators!
Nebraska Agriculture Water Management
Demonstration Network (NAWMDN)

20. Atmometer (ETgage) Watermark Sensors
Tools Used

21. Watermark Sensors
Sensor
collar
Hand-held meter
Sensor
collar
Stainless
steel sleeve
Electrodes

23. York Average Yearly Rainfall – 26.91”
1921-1950 – 25.2”
1979 – 2008 – 29.0”
York County Monthly Average
Rainfall 1921- 2008 (88 Years)
26.91"
0.69 0.78
1.67
2.58
4.02 4.17
3.41 3.17
2.66
1.74
1.23
0.78
0
1
2
3
4
5 Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
July
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Month
Inches

24. Greater Quad Counties
On-Farm Research

25. History . . .
Since 1998
➢ University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension has teamed with over
25 farmers in Clay, Fillmore, Hamilton & York Counties for on-farm
research trials.
➢ Diverse, yet similar – all participants deal with deep, silt/loam,
irrigated soils in a 4 county region.

26. Team Objectives . . .
➢ Conduct quality research.
➢ Research issues that UNL lacks the resources
for UNL farm research.
➢ Provide “field truth” of UNL
recommendations.
➢ Replicate research on diverse farm settings.
➢ Utilize new technology that allows easier
collection of data from farms.
➢ Teach farmers scientific methods and train
critical thinkers.

27. Plots are Field Sized Using Growers’
Equipment From Planting to Harvest

28. Treatments are documented and
soil qualities are quantified

29. On-Farm Yields Are Carefully
Measured And Documented

30. …Now a statewide project.

31.  Formed in 1972, Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts are local
government entities with broad responsibilities to protect our
natural resources.
 NRDs help Nebraskans respond to natural resource challenges
with local control and local solutions. Major Nebraska river basins
form the boundaries of the 23 NRDs, each of which is governed by
locally elected boards of directors. The Upper Big Blue NRD is
governed by a 17-member board of directors. These directors are
elected by registered voters within the District. The board sets
policy for the District and works closely with the staff through a
committee system to carry out the District’s goals.
 Statewide, NRDs are largely funded by property taxes and make
efficient use of those tax dollars; typically a Natural Resources
District uses only 1% to 2% of all property taxes collected in a
county.
 For example, in the Upper Big Blue NRD on a $100,000 home this
would equate to about $30 of property tax per year; A small
investment for peace of mind knowing that your NRD is “Water
Conscious”.
 To protect and conserve Nebraska’s groundwater and other
natural resources is an endearing vocation, and to that end, we
are pleased to serve the citizens of Nebraska who benefit from
these resources.

34. Why do we do this…