Delta F.A.R.M. will host the Monsanto Water Conservation Field Day on Tuesday, July 7th at Simmons Planting Company and Murrell Farms in Washington County, MS. The purpose of the field day is to demonstrate how the latest irrigation efficiency tools, technology, conservation practices and locally available surface water can be used to conserve vital groundwater irrigation supplies while making producers more profitable.

“Partnering with Delta F.A.R.M. to promote the wise use of irrigation water supplies in the Delta supports Monsanto’s commitment to sustainable agriculture,” said Doug Rushing of Monsanto Company. “Wholesale utilization of sustainable irrigation practices will solidify the Delta’s position as one of the most valuable agricultural regions in the country.”

The field day will begin at 10:00 a.m. on July 7th at Simmons Planting Company, 3.7 miles east on MS highway 438 from the US highway 61 intersection near Arcola, MS. Attendees will then travel together to nearby Murrell Farms to see the latest rice irrigation practices and surface water irrigation systems before returning to Simmons Planting Company for lunch and the row crops irrigation presentations. A full agenda is below.

The field day is free to all producers, landowners, consultants and all other sectors of the allied agriculture industry. However, registration is required by July 2nd to ensure adequate transportation and lunches for all attendees. Please register by simply calling the Delta F.A.R.M. office at (662) 686-3370 or emailing Liz Brown at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Maps and driving directions to Simmons Planting Company will be provided to all who register.

Agenda:

Simmons Planting Company

10:00 a.m.
Orientation and Opening Remarks
By Doug Rushing, Monsanto and Patrick Johnson, Producer

10:10 a.m.
Load Transport Vans

10:15 a.m.
Depart Simmons Planting Company

Murrell Farms

10:25 a.m.
Advanced Rice Irrigation Techniques

I. Welcome
By Carter Murrell, Producer

II. RISER Program Rice Recommendations
By Dr. Jason Krutz

A. Side Inlet

B. Alternate Wetting and Drying

III. Producer Perspectives on Advanced Rice Irrigation Techniques
By Carter Murrell, Producer

IV. USDA Incentives for Advanced Rice Irrigation
By Paul Rodrigue, NRCS

11:30 a.m.
Surface Water Irrigation

I. Overview of Murrell Farms Surface Water Irrigation System
By Carter Murrell, Producer

II. Surface Water Irrigation Development
By Paul Rodrique, NRCS

III.Producer Perspectives on Using Surface Water Irrigation
By Carter Murrell, Producer

12:15 p.m.
Depart Murrell Farms

Simmons Planting Company

12:30 p.m.
Lunch
Luncheon Address by Kay Whittington, MDEQ

1:15 p.m.
Advanced Row Crop Irrigation

I. RISER Program Row Crop Recommendations
By Jason Krutz, MSU

II. Southern Ag Irrigation Research
By Ben Spinks and Mitt Wardlaw

III. Maximizing Yields Under Pivots
By Chris Henry, Univ. of AR

IV. Soil Management to Increase Irrigation Efficiency
By Rachel Evans, NRCS and Dan Prevost, Delta F.A.R.M.

V. Producer Perspectives on Advanced Row Crop Irrigation
By Bubba Simmons, Producer

VI. Wrap Up and Closing Comments
By Doug Rushing, Monsanto and Patrick Johnson, Producer

2:30 p.m.
Adjourn