Surprise Valley Electrification Corp.

EvapoTranspiration Report

CONTACT: LYNN CULP, MEMBER SERVICE MANAGER 530.233.3511

This report provides Evapotranspiration (ET) data weekly for the local areas. ET is a measurement of the amount of water consumed by the crop during a specific time period. This report will provide weekly ET for alfalfa and pasture, and will include a seasonal total beginning April 13 for Surprise Valley and Alturas/Big Valley, and April 20 for Davis Creek/ Lake County, Oregon.

ET is an irrigation-scheduling tool that can be used to help determine how much water to apply to the crop and when to apply it. Irrigation scheduling is no more than replacing the water lost from the soil when the crop needs it. As long as other crop needs are met, such as good fertility and pest management, the crop will respond with good yields when properly irrigated.

The following steps should be taken when scheduling irrigation:

• Determine the amount of water the root zone holds and the allowable depletion level of the crop.
• Fill the root zone early in the growing season. Use a soil auger or probe to determine if the soil profile is full. If the soil is not full, determine how much water is needed to fill it.
• Estimate water consumption by the crop from the published ET reports.
• Schedule irrigation when estimated consumption indicates the available soil moisture is nearing the crop allowable depletion level.
• Apply enough water to fill the soil profile. Measure the irrigation application with a rain gauge or coffee can.
• Start over with step three following each irrigation. Contact Lynn Culp at Surprise Valley Electrification Corp. or your local Farm Advisor for practical application of the steps described.

This information is provided by Central Modoc, Surprise Valley, Goose Lake and Pit Resource Conservation Districts, and Surprise Valley Electrification Corp. Contact the Natural Resource Conservation Service, your Farm Advisor or SVEC for information about using ET rates for irrigation scheduling.This report provides Evapotranspiration (ET) data weekly for the local areas. ET is a measurement of the amount of water consumed by the crop during a specific time period. This report will provide weekly ET for alfalfa and pasture, and will include a seasonal total beginning April 14 for Surprise Valley, April 16 for Alturas/Big Valley, and April 20 for Davis Creek/ Lake County, Oregon.

ET is an irrigation-scheduling tool that can be used to help determine how much water to apply to the crop and when to apply it. Irrigation scheduling is no more than replacing the water lost from the soil when the crop needs it. As long as other crop needs are met, such as good fertility and pest management, the crop will respond with good yields when properly irrigated.

The following steps should be taken when scheduling irrigation:

• Determine the amount of water the root zone holds and the allowable depletion level of the crop.
• Fill the root zone early in the growing season. Use a soil auger or probe to determine if the soil profile is full. If the soil is not full, determine how much water is needed to fill it.
• Estimate water consumption by the crop from the published ET reports.
• Schedule irrigation when estimated consumption indicates the available soil moisture is nearing the crop allowable depletion level.
• Apply enough water to fill the soil profile. Measure the irrigation application with a rain gauge or coffee can.
• Start over with step three following each irrigation. Contact Lynn Culp at Surprise Valley Electrification Corp. or your local Farm Advisor for practical application of the steps described.

This information is provided by Central Modoc, Surprise Valley, Goose Lake and Pit Resource Conservation Districts, and Surprise Valley Electrification Corp. Contact the Natural Resource Conservation Service, your Farm Advisor or SVEC for information about using ET rates for irrigation scheduling.