Cost Analysis and Water Conservation Potential of Irrigation Technologies in the Texas Panhandle Water Planning Area

Six irrigation systems are analyzed considering cost and potential water savings. The investment cost of furrow and drip is $115,800 and$260,120, respectively. The cost of quarter mile pivot ranges from $59,000 to$64,000. Per ac-in variable pumping cost ranges $9.96 to$14.86 assuming natural gas price $7.00 per MCF.Irrigation Technology, Ground Water Planning, Texas Panhandle, Water Conservation, Ogallala, Agribusiness, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Production Economics, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Economic Analysis of a Water Truck for Feedyard Dust Suppression

Dust created in feedyards can adversely affect cattle performance. Dust suppression can be accomplished by moistening pen surfaces with traveling gun(s) sprinklers, solid-set sprinklers, and water trucks. This study specifically addresses the fixed and operational costs associated with a water truck for various sized feedyards.water truck, dust suppression, fixed costs, operational costs, Farm Management, Livestock Production/Industries,

Economic Analysis of Manure Harvesting Equipment in Feedyards for Dust Control

This study concentrated on one method of dust control which is harvesting manure with equipment. An economic analysis including hourly fixed and operational costs were performed on the following: tractor-pulled box scraper, front-end loader, dump truck, spreader truck, elevating scraper and tractor-pulled end dump. The purpose of this study was to generate cost data for feedyard owners/operators to reference when making manure management and equipment purchasing decisions.manure harvesting equipment, tractor-pulled box scraper, front-end loader, dump truck, spreader truck, tractor-pulled end dump, Agribusiness, Environmental Economics and Policy,

Economic Evaluation of Wind Energy as an Alternative to Natural Gas Powered Irrigation

High natural gas prices have agricultural producers searching for alternative energy sources for irrigation. The economic feasibility of electric and hybrid (electric/wind) systems are evaluated as alternatives to natural gas powered irrigation. Texas Panhandle and Southern Kansas farms are assessed with a quarter-mile sprinkler system, three crops, and two pumping lifts. Breakeven points identify the price at which conversion from a natural gas irrigation system to an electric or hybrid system is cost effective. Results indicate electricity is a more feasible energy source for irrigation and policy changes such as net metering are necessary to make hybrid systems viable.electricity, irrigation, natural gas, wind energy, Agribusiness, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, International Development, Land Economics/Use, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, Q12, Q20, Q42,

Integrating Stakeholder Input into Water Policy Development and Analysis

Agricultural water use is becoming an issue in much of the South due to population growth. Results of projects evaluating the impacts of conservation strategies aimed at reallocating or extending the life of water supplies are being met with great skepticism by stakeholder groups. In order to gain acceptance of results, it is essential that stakeholder groups be involved from the beginning in the identification of potential water conservation strategies and be kept informed throughout the project. The objective of this paper is to review previous attempts at involving stakeholders and the methodology currently being employed in the Ogallala Aquifer Project.conservation, Ogallala Aquifer, stakeholder, water policy, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Consumer/Household Economics, Q250, Q280,

Observation of extragalactic sources of very high energy gamma-rays with the MAGIC telescope

MAGIC is currently the largest single dish ground-based imaging air Cherenkov telescope in operation. During its first cycle of observations more than 20 extragalactic objects have been observed, and very high energy gamma-ray signals have been detected in several of them. The results of this observations are presented, together with a discussion of the spectral characteristics and the flux variability of the detected sources.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, to appear in the proceedings of the International School of Cosmics Ray Astrophysics (ISCRA) 15th Course: Astrophysics at Ultra-High Energies, Erice, Sicily, Italy, 20-27 Jun 200

What are the Most Efficient and Effective Practices Surrounding Performance Management?

Research Question: What are the most efficient and effective practices surrounding performance management? Specifically, how have large corporations, been able to simplify their practices so that performance management is not a lengthy and arduous process

Economic Optimization of Groundwater Resources in the Texas Panhandle

Replaced with revised version of paper 05/04/06.Economic Optimization, Groundwater Resources, Input Efficiency, Irrigated Agriculture, Southern Ogallala Aquifer, Texas Panhandle, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Reducing Irrigation Water Demand with Cotton Production in West Texas

Due to declining water availability from the Ogallala Aquifer and increasing pumping costs, irrigation management options for cotton are analyzed. The study concludes that supplemental irrigation while meeting crop ET requirements is the most profitable option. Switching from corn to cotton production may reduce irrigation water demand in the region.Ogallala Aquifer, irrigated cotton, irrigation efficiency, water response function, input use optimization, ET, Texas Panhandle, Crop Production/Industries, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,