Water Management

Consumptive-Use

Crop irrigation cannot be effectively scheduled without an estimate of the crop's daily water-use. This water-use, which includes both evaporation (water lost directly to the atmosphere from soil and plant surfaces) and transpiration (water transported from the soil to the atmosphere through plant tissues), is commonly referred to as evapotranspiration (ET) or consumptive-use. This presentation from the Four Corners Irrigation Workshop, that was held on May 2, 2007, briefly describes consumptive-use and provides some direction on ET estimation for crops of local interest. You may request the Consumptive-use and Water Requirements presentation via email to Margaret West.

Crop and Pasture Grass Irrigation Management

Irrigation Management:

  • Alfalfa and Pasture Grass presentation
  • Forage Production of Cool Season Pasture Grasses as Related to Irrigation
  • Water Use and Yield of Alfalfa in Northwestern New Mexico

May be requested via email from Margaret West.

Improving Irrigation Efficiency

A presentation titled Improving Irrigation Efficiency was presented by Daniel Smeal, NMSU's Agricultural Science Center at Farmington, NM at the New Mexico Organic Farming Conference on February 17-18, 2012 in Albuquerque, NM. The presentation may be request via email request to Margaret West.

Water-Wise Landscapes

Irrigation Management for Water-wise Landscape was presented by Daniel Smeal, NMSU ASC - Farmington, on November 7, 2007 at the New Mexico Landscape Training 'Save Every Drop' seminar in Albuquerque, NM. The presentation may be requested via email to Margaret West.