Six irrigation systems are analyzed considering cost and potential water savings. The investment cost of furrow and drip is $115,800 and $260,120, respectively. The cost of quarter mile pivot ranges from $59,000 to $64,000. Per ac-in variable pumping cost ranges $9.96 to $14.86 assuming natural...

The Texas Panhandle relies largely on the Ogallala Aquifer for access to water for irrigated agricultural production. With current pumping rates and slow recharge rates, the aquifer will at some point in the future no longer be an economically viable source of water for agriculture. The...

Playa lakes are very important to the Texas High Plains. They provide habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, and are the Ogallala Aquifer’s primary recharge source. Plowing and sedimentation have caused substantial damage to the overall health of many playas. A need exists to protect this...

This study concentrated on one method of dust control which is harvesting manure with equipment. An economic analysis including hourly fixed and operational costs were performed on the following: tractor-pulled box scraper, front-end loader, dump truck, spreader truck, elevating scraper and...

Witnessing a rapid surge in irrigation requirements as well as the pressure on natural resources to augment production for satisfying grain demand for the growing human and livestock population, ground water supply in the Texas Panhandle reflects itself as a limiting yet indispensable factor....

The sustainable water use especially for irrigated agriculture in the Texas Panhandle Region is a major concern. A semi-arid climate and average low rainfalls results in little surface water being available year-round. The Ogallala Aquifer is the primary source of irrigation water in this...

Agricultural water use is becoming an issue in much of the South due to population growth. Results of projects evaluating the impacts of conservation strategies aimed at reallocating or extending the life of water supplies are being met with great skepticism by stakeholder groups. In order to...

The benefit of changing to Variable Rate Irrigation (VRI) from uniform application methods needs to be assessed for technology adoption. Precision irrigation involves water application in optimum amounts. Results indicate that feasibility of precision irrigation depends on field variability,...

This paper analyzes policy implications arising from the National Brucellosis Technical Commission Study. A systems simulation model was designed to estimate physical losses resulting from alternative bovine brucellosis programs. Changes in benefits, costs, level of infection and net benefits...