An education program was conducted in Beaver County, Utah to help farmers evaluate their center pivot irrigation systems. Twenty-two center pivots were evaluated in 2002; twelve of the original 22 pivots were re-evaluated in 2008 for comparison. During the evaluations, catch cans were set out at a 20 foot spacing in a line from the center of the pivot to the outer edge of the irrigated portion of each field. Each pivot was allowed to pass completely over the line of cans. Distribution uniformity (DU) and coefficient uniformity (CU) were calculated for each pivot. The average DU in 2002 was 61 % whereas 70 % was the average in 2008. Nine of the twelve pivots which were evaluated both years showed an increase in DU. Six of which showed increases over 17%. Soil samples were collected under all of the pivots tested to determine if farmers were applying the correct amount of fertilizer to meet the crop's needs. The soil tests from 2008 indicated that 72 % of the farmers were applying less fertilizer and manure than they were in 2002. One reason for the decrease in phosphorus levels may be because the price of fertilizer was very high in 2007 and 2008.
source:absract
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