Jan. 29, 2021
‘Most Crop Per Drop’ contest challenges Arkansas producers to experiment with technology
By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts:
- Contest promotes the adoption of irrigation water management practices
- Producers learn to reduce energy, water use and labor and to improve profitability
- Winners determined by best water use efficiency
(855 words)
LITTLE ROCK — Experimentation paid off for Arkansas producers who competed in the “Most Crop Per Crop” contest — in knowledge gained about irrigation management and in cash prizes for the top winners.
Contest winners were announced Jan. 27 during the 34th annual Arkansas Water and Soil Education Conference, held virtually this year. The top winners in three categories — corn, rice and soybean — will share in more than $30,000 in cash and prizes.
In corn and soybean, the first-place winners received $6,000 each; second-place winners received $3,000; and third-place winners, $1,000. The first-place rice winner received a Ricetec hybrid seed credit worth more than $10,000.
Prizes were provided by Ricetec, the Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Promotion Board and the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board.
“The competition focuses on maximizing yield by maximizing water use efficiency,” Chris Henry, associate professor and water management engineer for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said.
While the contest certainly reflects the participants’ agricultural knowledge and farming skills, the path to victory often includes making smart technology choices as well, including the use of computerized hole selection programs such as Delta Plastics’ Pipe Planner, a web-based application that helps growers create the most efficient irrigation system for their row crops; the UA Rice Irrigation app; multiple inlet rice irrigation; alternate wetting and drying; furrow irrigated rice; sensor-based irrigation scheduling and surge valves.
“The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Irrigation Yield Contest is a safe place to try new sustainable technologies and strategies,” Greg Simpson, irrigation program associate with the Rice Research and Extension Center, said. “There is value in these technologies for water savings and sustainability, certainly, but also for labor savings and improved net returns.”
Corn Winners
1st place — Chad Render, 11.5 bushels per inch / 225 BPA (Jefferson County)
2nd place — Terry Smith, 9.6 bushels per inch / 244 BPA (Greene County)
3rd place — Brandon Cain, 9.5 bushels per inch / 251 BPA (White County)
Chad Render, who farms south of Pine Bluff, got the most crop per crop in corn, achieving 11.5 bushels per inch / 225 bushels per acre. He used Delta Plastics’ Pipe Planner, watermark sensors and cover crops, which all aid in conservation efforts. He said he also benefited from early rains in April and May.
After competing last year in the soybean category, Render said he was encouraged to experiment.
“It does make us want to try new things,” Render said of the contest. “I’ve used cover crops for about the past three years on certain soils that just seem to get hot during the growing season, so I’m actually broadening my cover crop areas. I am an advocate for cover crops and what it does to conserve moisture and hold down the weed pressure. From my personal experiences, I’m seeing benefit from less water and more yield.”
Soybean winners
1st place — Jeremy Weideman, 4.3 bushels per inch, 64 BPA (Clay County)
2nd place — John Allen McGraw, 4.2 bushels per inch, 76 BPA (Lincoln County)
3rd place — Ryan Sullivan, 4.1 bushels per inch, 99 BPA (Mississippi County)
Jeremy Weideman, of Corning, won first place in the soybean category by utilizing minimum tillage, cover crops, Delta Plastics’ Pipe Planner and watermark sensors. He worked with Clay County extension agents Stewart Runsick and Allison Howell and relied on minimum tillage, cover crops, Delta Plastics Pipe Planner and watermark sensors.
“The contest interested me because I’ve always done irrigation,” Weideman said. “My first job on a farm was watering.”
Weideman used three watermark sensors — at depths of 6, 12 and 18 inches — and regularly checked them. He also used a soil calculation app that helps trigger irrigation.
He planted his soybean June 11 and watered three times in three months, achieving 4.3 bushels per inch.
“I pushed the irrigation as far as I could,” he said. “We caught some rains, but I waited as long as I could, and I’m amazed that I could do that with that little amount of water. I’m encouraged to try that with other fields. I’ve gotten a better handle on when I can push it, when to water and when to wait.”
Rice Winners
1st place — Cody Fincher, 8.7 bushels per inch, 240 BPA (Mississippi County)
2nd place — Seth Tucker, 6.7 bushels per inch, 203 BPA (Drew County)
3rd place — Clint Boles, 6.7 bushels per inch, 211 BPA (Cross County)
Cody Fincher, who farms in Dyess in northeast Arkansas, won first place in the rice category. He chalked up his win partly to the field he chose; the soil is heavy clay and holds water well.
“The biggest thing I did was just manage it a little more closely,” he said. “My goal going in was to save as much water as possible. I caught rains, and I was able to go all summer, turning the well on four times.”
Though Fincher did not use sensors, his technique was similar to alternate wetting and drying.
“Cody chose the right field and managed it efficiently in every way,” Henry said.
For information about irrigation and how to get involved with the 2021 Most Crop per Drop contest, visit uaex.uada.edu/irrigation.
To learn more about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @UAEX_edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media contact:
Tracy Courage
Director, Communications Services
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
tcourage@uada.edu