Are you an irrigator concerned about matching your irrigation with crop water use? Are you wondering how to improve water use efficiency and reduce water costs? The University of Minnesota Extension offers the Minnesota Irrigator Program (MIP) to help answer these questions.
Continuing education credits (CEUs) for certified crop advisors will be offered for attending the program.
Programming will include discussion of irrigation systems, how to use soil moisture sensors on your farm, irrigation scheduling, and special topics like variable rate irrigation and remote sensing.
We will be offering this program at different locations throughout the state in the coming years.
2023 MIP course
In 2023, MIP will provide a three-day course on irrigation basics. This course will be held in person in Farmington, Minnesota, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the following Wednesdays: March 1, 8 and 15.
Topics will include:
- General water use and flow
- Irrigation sprinkler systems
- Variable rate irrigation
- Agronomics
- Maintenance
- Energy costs
Our mission is to provide irrigators and irrigation professionals with up-to-date information on the latest irrigation management science and methods so that they can find a solution that works for them and their operations.
Find the agenda and registration on the event link below.
In addition to learning about the most effective irrigation management practices, completing the MIP is one of the requirements to attain the Irrigation Endorsement of the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program. Certified farms will receive the endorsement with proof of attendance to this program and the adoption of a new irrigation practice or scheduling method on-farm.
Taylor Herbert, Extension educator
therbert@umn.edu or 320-203-6062
Anne Nelson, Extension educator
annenel@umn.edu or 320-203-6058
Vasudha Sharma, Extension irrigation specialist
vasudha@umn.edu or 612-626-4986
- Minnesota Department of Agriculture
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
- Anez Consulting
- Nelson Irrigation
- Earthscout
- Senninger
- Minnesota Corn Growers Association
- Lindsay Irrigation
- R.D. Offut Farms