Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/16
Outputs
Target Audience:Farmers, Irrigation System Designers, and Consultants. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We put on training days, trained students (1 PhD graduated and another student trained). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?During 2016 alone, 16 different presentations were given throughout the PNW. These were well attended by growers, researchers, and agricultural consultants. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
We have successfully demonstrated this technology and have worked through several bugs and problems with it. It's use is growing quickly in the Pacific Northwest due to our efforts. This saves water (a measured 18% more water reaches the soil during irrigation events), reduces energy use (up to 30,000 kW-hr/year for each pivot), and helps growers get better yields (many growers are reporting signficiant yield increases).
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Zhu, Xingye, R.T. Peters, and W.H. Neibling. 2016. Hydraulic Performance Assessment of LESA at Low Pressure. Irrig. and Drain. 65: 530-
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
16 different presentations made to various grower groups throughout the PNW about the results of this study.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Extension Publication titled, "Low Energy Precision Application (LEPA) and Low Elevation Spray Application (LESA) Trials in the Pacific Northwest." This is a 23-page manual.
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Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:Center pivot owners and/or operators who can benefit from the water and energy savings of LEPA or LESA. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?See the products detailing the presentations and reports given. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue to work with growers to convert pivots and evaluate the irrigation efficiency differences using both soil moisture sensors and lysimeters.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
We are showing that LEPA and LESA are viable technologies that save both significant amounts of water (14%) and significant amounts of pumping power depending on the pivot location. Although it is not universally applicable, there are locations where everyone, including the grower, will benefit from converting to this technology.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Neibling, W.H., R.T. Peters, and R. Stroh. 2015. A Mobile Sprinkler Test Carriage to Evaluate the Suitability of LEPA and LESA at New Sites. Presented at the joint ASABE/IA Irrigation Symposium. Nov. 10-12, 2015 in Long Beach, CA.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Peters, R.T., W.H. Neibling, and R. Stroh. 2015. Trials of Low Energy Spray Application (LESA) in the Pacific Northwest. Presented at the joint ASABE/IA Irrigation Symposium. Nov. 10-12, 2015 in Long Beach, CA.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Peters, R.T., H. Neibling, and D. Stroh. 2015. Low Energy Precision Application (LEPA) and Low Elevation Spray Application (LESA) on Center Pivots in the PNW. Poster presented at: Valmont NW Grower Appreciation Lunch. Sunnyside, WA. Jun. 23, 2015.; the LEPA/LESA field days. Pasco, WA. Sep. 24, 2015; and the LEPA/LESA field days. Mabton, WA. Sep. 25, 2015.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Presented information at the following Events:
12/10/2015. Low Elevation Spray Application. 20 min. 26 Contacts. United Ag Precision Irrigation Grower Presentation. Pasco, WA
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
12/9/2015. Low Elevation Spray Application. 20 min. 24 Contacts. United Ag Precision Irrigation Grower Presentation. Moses Lake, WA
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
12/1/2015. The effects of LESA on Mint Oil and Hay Yields. 20 min. 92 Contacts. Washington State Mint Convention. Kennewick, WA.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
11/10/2015. Testing Low Energy Spray Application (LESA) in the Pacific Northwest. 30 min. 95 Contacts. American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) and the Irrigation Association (IA) joint conference. Long Beach, CA
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
11/3/2015. LEPA vs. MESA on Mint. 20 min. 10 Contacts. Mint Research Report. Prosser, WA.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
10/27/2015 Irrigation Efficiency Using On-Farm Technology. 20 min. 108 Contacts. Columbia Basin Development League Annual Conference. Moses Lake, WA.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
10/15/2015. The Water-Energy-Food Nexus. 1 hr. 21 Contacts. BSYSE Seminar. Prosser, Pullman, Puyallup, Richland, WA.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
9/25/2015. Low Energy Precision Application (LEPA) and Low Energy Spray Application (LESA) vs. Mid Elevation Spray Application (MESA) in the Pacific Northwest. 1.5 hrs. 12 Contacts. Field trial results and field day. Mabton, WA.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
9/24/2015. Low Energy Precision Application (LEPA) and Low Energy Spray Application (LESA) vs. Mid Elevation Spray Application (MESA) in the Pacific Northwest. 1.5 hrs. 15 Contacts. Field trial results and field day. Pasco, WA.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
9/17/2015. Low Energy Spray Application for Water and Power Savings. 15 min. 29 Contacts. CPAAS Open House. Prosser, WA.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
7/22/2015. Irrigation Management Strategies for Drought. 30 min. 28 Contacts. WSU Agriculture and Natural Resources Symposium. Spokane, WA.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
6/23/2015. Low Energy Precision Application (LEPA), and Simplified Irrigation Scheduling for Center Pivots. 1 hr. 40 Contacts. Valmont NW growers lunch. Sunnyside, WA.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
6/16/2015. Low Energy Precision Application (LEPA) for Conserving Water and Energy. 1 hr. 10 contacts. Washington Association of District Employees Training Conference. Leavenworth, WA.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
6/2/2015. Benefits of LEPA on Mint. Mint Field Day. 15 min. 48 Contacts. Prosser, WA.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
2/11/2015. Pivot Irrigation management, Drop Spacing, Sprinkler Head & Regulator Trials. 1 hr. 76 contacts. Annual Growers Meeting for the Kern Company. Kittitas, WA.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Peters, R.T., 2015. Hay and Oil Yield Differences from Low Energy Precision Application (LEPA) vs. Mid Elevation Spray Application (MESA) on Center Pivots. Proceedings of the 2015 WA State Mint Convention. Kennewick, WA. Dec. 1, 2015
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Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Center Pivot Irrigators and irrigation equipment dealers in the Pacific Northwest Changes/Problems: Obtaining ongoing funding for this project through Bonneville Power Administration has been successful, but very frustrating due to beurocratic problems with BPA, WSU, and UI. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Organized, advertised, and held two different field days to demonstrate LEPA and Low Energy Spray Application(LESA). irrigation methods at grower's fields. One was held near Mabton, and the other was held north of Pasco. These were well attended by center pivot dealers and sprinkler manufacturers as well as by growers. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? A short, three-page report was disseminated to interested parties. We are working through the local power utilities and irrigation dealerships to spread the knowledge and practice of LEPA and LESA. The results were presented at the Washington Mint Conference and at several conferences in Idaho. We are receiving quite a bit of interest in this technology. All of the growers that we have done demonstrations with are expanding it's use on their farms. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Hold three more field days. Two will be in Washington, and at least one will be held in Idaho. Work will be done on a more complete report to be shared with stakeholders.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Worked with University of Idaho and Bonneville Power Administration to demonstrate Low Energy Precision Application (LEPA) technology on center pivots in WA, ID, OR, and NV. This was a multi-year, ongoing project done on several center pivots throughout the above states. Sections of three pivots in Washington, two in Idaho, and one in Nevada were converted to LEPA to show the growers that it is a viable technology and to demonstrate the water and pumping power savings, as well as the decreased losses to wind drift and improved yields when water supplies are limited.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Presentations at the Idaho Irrigation Equipment Dealers Association Meeting, and at field days in Idaho, Nevada, and Washington. Poster presentations in Pullman.
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Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Irrigators using Center Pivots where Low Energy Precision Application (LEPA) might be applicable Changes/Problems: There were significant delays in obtaining funding for this project. We are working to alleviate future delays. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? We trained high school students on irrigation management and irrigation efficiency. Training included both a hands-on training session in the field where we installed soil moisture sensors. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? We are expanding this project significantly this season. We have targetedimplementing LEPA on 4 additional fields throughout the Pacific Northwest. We are planning to build one additional LEPA mobile test stand and use it to collect additional data necessary to refine the LEPA screening model. A visiting scholarwill be assistingus on this project this year.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
This is funded by theBonneville Power Administration (BPA). We began this project this year by establishing a demonstration pivot on LEPA in Nevada. We converted a section of this pivot so that we could compare MESA (mid elevation spray application) with LEPA (low elevation precision application). We collected soil moisture measurements underneath both sides. We involved FFA students inthe collection ofthe data for educational purposes. We also worked through the electrical utility company who supported these effortsbecause of the substantial energy savings that could be realized. We began development of a screening tool (mathematical model) that would allow us to evaluate sites for the potential application of LEPA on different fields. We developed and built a mobile test stand that can simulate LEPA application of water across a field in order tohelp us evaluate sites for the applicability of LEPA.The toolalso helps usto collect the data forresearch necessary to further refine the LEPA screening tool.It includes a 1000 gallon water tank pulled by a large truck, a framework for supporting the LEPA drops, a pump and hose delivery system to the mobile test stand, and a method for pulling the test stand across the soil using a winch. We are excited about the possibilities that this provides to help us answer previously unanswered questions regarding this important technology.
Publications
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Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: We are still struggling with the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to get this project funded. They have made a verbal commitment to fund it and we have gone through 5-6 iterations of budgets; but they have yet to actually release the funding. I expect it to be released soon. The equipment for the project including soil moisture sensors, dataloggers, and telecommunications equipment has been purchased by BPA and it has been delivered. Once we begin, we will be converting one section of three different pivots, each located in a different state to Low Energy Precision Application (LEPA). The experiment will consist of comparing the irrigation efficiency and effectiveness of LEPA compared to normal mid-elevation spray applications (MESA). We anticipate gathering the necessary data during summer (2013). PARTICIPANTS: R. Troy Peters, Associate Irrigation Engineer and Extension Irrigation Engineer, and grad students. In addition, three farms have been identified to participate. One each in Nevada, Idaho, and Oregon. Additional farms may be added as needed. TARGET AUDIENCES: Center Pivot Irrigators in the Pacific Northwest. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: A large number of budget modifications have been made, but the basis of the project remains the same.
Impacts
We have not yet begun collecting data, so no outcomes or impacts have been realized except for increased awareness of the possibility of LEPA in the Pacific Northwest.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This is a new project that involves multiple investigators and locations in Washington, Idaho, and Nevada. Multiple agencies are also planned to be included including Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), the United States Department of Agriculture National Resource Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), Washington State University (WSU), University of Idaho (UI), as well as pivot and sprinkler head manufacturers and dealers. The purpose of this project is to test and demonstrate low-energy, precision-application (LEPA) technologies on center pivots. LEPA has been shown to greatly enhance irrigation efficiency and decrease energy use. However, it is seldom used in the Pacific Northwest. At least three locations will be chosen for these trials so that local growers will be able to come to and attend field days where these technologies will be demonstrated. One will be in Elko County Nevada near Wells, one will be north of the Tri-Cities of Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco in Washington State, and the other will be near Paul in the Snake River Plain of Idaho. One span of an existing pivot will be converted to LEPA. This will enable side-by-side comparisons of LEPA and mid-elevation spray application (MESA) in the same soils and on the same irrigation schedule and amounts. Soil moisture will be automatically monitored in both treatments to help compare water efficiency, yield and visual differences in similar soils. The applicability of this technology to different crops, soil types, and field slopes will be evaluated. As an outcome it is planned to create a screening tool to help create a database of practices and equipment suitable for agricultural fields across the Pacific Northwest. Ultimately this database could be an addendum to the USDA-NRCS soils databases. PARTICIPANTS: R. Troy Peters, Washington State University; Howard Neibling, Idaho State University; Dick Stroh, Bonneville Power Administration; grower cooperators TARGET AUDIENCES: Center pivot users in the Pacific Northwest. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
This project was recently approved and the PI's are working to secure funding to carry out this project. Bonneville Power Administration has indicated funding towards this work would be forthcoming after the specifics have been worked out.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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