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Carrington Research Extension Center
http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/carringt/
The Carrington Research Extension Center conducts
research and educational programs to enhance the
productivity, competitiveness, and diversity of
agriculture in central North Dakota. The research effort
focuses on traditional crop variety evaluation, crop
production and management, alternative crop development,
cropping systems, irrigation, integration of crop and
livestock production, intensive cow/calf production,
beef cattle feeding, feedlot management, bison
nutrition, foundation seed stock production, and
fostering development of new agricultural enterprises.
The central location of the Carrington Center is
significant in that the research program is able to
address research needs that represent a significant part
of agriculture in North Dakota.
Oakes
Irrigation Research Site
http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/oakes/oakes.htm
The Oakes Irrigation Research Site was established in
1970 on approximately 20-acre tract of land 4.5 miles
south of Oakes, ND and adjacent to ND State Hwy 1. The
major goals of the Oakes Irrigation Research Site are
encompassed in the following objectives:
· Provide
irrigators with information that results in efficient
crop production.
· Develop
and refine Best Management Practices that are producer
acceptable.
· Provide
irrigation development in North Dakota.
· Determine
alternate and specialty crops to be grown under
irrigation in North Dakota and develop agronomic
practices for their
successful adaptation.
A cooperative agreement
between North Dakota State University and the Garrison
Diversion Conservancy District makes this research
effort possible. The University provides technical
staff; Walter Albus as research agronomist, Leonard
Besemann as research specialist, Heidi Eslinger as
research technician and seasonal employees as
needed. The Garrison Diversion Conservancy District
provides most of the financial resources. North Dakota
State University faculty and staff from the departments
of Soil Science, Plant Sciences, Agricultural and
Biosystems Engineering, Plant Pathology and Agricultural
Experiment Station participate in conducting experiments
at the site.
Northern Plains Potato
Growers Research Station
http://www.nppga.org/news-bytes%204-24-09.htm
The Northern Plains Potato Growers Association boasts
two research farm operations. Our traditional site is a
non-irrigated farm located near Grand Forks while our
irrigated research site is located near Tappen, North
Dakota.
Our research committee makes
need based funding determinations within our research
community comprised of scientists from the Cooperative
Extension Service, North Dakota State University, the
University of Minnesota and the United State Department
of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service.
We also continue to work
toward streamlining efforts with the MN Area II Research
Council as well as working with our Quad State
Initiative. This initiative encompasses potato
researchers from Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and
North Dakota. Results from research are bundled into
grower education programs held during summer field day
events as well as winter grower educational seminars.
Nesson Valley Irrigation
Research Project
The Nesson Valley Irrigation Research Project
is located just east of Williston. Research at this
state-of-the-art site is conducted by the Williston
Research Extension Center, Eastern Agriculture Research
Center in Sidney, Mont., and the United States
Department of Agriculture. Researchers believe this is
the perfect area to study some cutting-edge irrigation
practices, because the soils are good and with Lake
Sakakawea nearby, there’s an ample supply of water.
The project uses overhead linear sprinkler systems to
irrigate four tracts of 40 acres. Three systems will be
managed jointly by the WREC and the EARC with the fourth
overseen by USDA-ARS. Some of the project’s key goals
are to determine:
· What
environmental and economic impacts this type of
irrigation will have in the region?
· What
are the best ways to manage nutrients under irrigation
systems?
· What
crops are best suited for the area?
· What
diseases will surface?
· What
insects and weeds will be a problem?
· What
environmental issues will be a factor?
· How
can fertility best be managed?
ARS Northern Plains
Agricultural Research Lab
The
Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory
(NPARL) in Sidney, Mont., is one of more than
120 Agricultural Research Service (ARS) facilities in
the U.S. The NPARL is made up of two research units: the
Agricultural Systems Research Unit and the Pest
Management Research Unit. The
Agricultural Systems Research Unit
(ASRU) focuses on irrigated
and dryland cropping systems that will enhance soil and
water quality, conserve natural resources, and reduce
dependence on agrochemicals in the Upper Missouri River.
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
Garrison Diversion Conservancy District
http://www.garrisondiversion.org/
Agriculture has always been a way of life in North
Dakota, which is why Garrison Diversion continues to
invest in agricultural initiatives throughout the state.
Through funding dedicated by Garrison Diversion’s
Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, North
Dakota farmers and ranchers continue to experience
growing opportunities. For several years, funds have
been distributed to assist the North Dakota Irrigation
Association in its mission to strengthen and expand
irrigation to build and diversify North Dakota’s
economy.
The NDSU Extension Service receives funding for its
irrigation specialist position, which helps enhance
educational efforts focusing on irrigation and related
business development. NDSU Extension’s Irrigation
Research and Outreach Program receives funding to help
distribute research data and results to farmers and
other interested parties. Financial support is also
given to the Oakes Irrigation Research Site,
which is a demonstration project testing
varieties of plants under different growing scenarios.
The research site helps provide information, which
contributes to the successful planning and operation of
irrigated agriculture throughout North Dakota.
Over the years, changes in federal legislation have
reduced the number of acres authorized for irrigation
out of the McClusky Canal. Currently, a total of 23,700
acres are authorized. Unfortunately, only a small
portion of those acres are being irrigated by individual
farmers. Garrison Diversion has taken the first steps
towards developing an irrigation project to utilize the
authorized acres. Garrison Diversion began by canvassing
landowners in the McClusky Canal service area, which
includes land in McLean, Burleigh, and Sheridan counties
in order to determine the amount of interest in
irrigating their lands with canal waters. Because
landowners have shown significant interest,
representatives from Garrison Diversion will meet with
the interested parties, followed by a feasibility study.
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