From a Technical Perspective

By Larry Peach

2007 NRCS Contracting

The NRCS is now contracting with producers on 2007 EQIP and expects to complete the contracting process by May 1, 2007. This year the NRCS has received $3 million of cost share money for Klamath County irrigation projects, and has received requests from county producers for $10 million in project funding.

There are several changes in the contracts this year. One is the NRCS will be funding all water EQIP projects at 75% average cost. Or, 75% of the average cost of projects similar to yours, not as 75% of your actual project cost, as in the past. Before you sign your contract you should contact your vender to find your actual project cost, so there is less chance of any unpleasant surprises at payment time.

EQIP payments for sprinkler system retrofits are intended as an incentive payment to improve an old system’s operating efficiency to 90% of the efficiency of a similar system in new condition. There are no restrictions on what parts may be replaced. A retro-fit is not intended for general O & M which the landowner is expected to perform on a regular basis, such as changing gaskets.

If you use NRCS funds for retrofitting your irrigation system, it is mandatory that you perform some method of Irrigation Water Management.

There are two levels of IWM that you may use and you need to indicate the method you wish to use at or before contract signing. The basic level 3 method is a simple system evaluation and some basic water application records which you’re expected to provide at the end of the irrigation season for one year after you complete your retro-fit project. A flow meter is optional but not required for this method of IWM. For returning your irrigation records you will receive an incentive payment of $15 /acre or a cap of $500.00. The level 1 method of IWM has an incentive payment of $50.00/acre and is more technical, a flow meter is mandatory with this method.

With our irrigation water and power cost continually rising IWM will become more important as a management tool if we expect to remain in irrigated agriculture.