Connecting today's producers and crop consultants with the latest in irrigation technology and research is the focus of the Texas Alliance for Water Conservation's 'Water College' on Wednesday (Jan. 20) at Lubbock's Bayer Museum of Agriculture.

The event is an opportunity to learn the latest innovative technologies and techniques to producing an economically viable crop while using a conservative amount of irrigation water, said Rick Kellison, project director for TAWC. Program topics will range from grain sorghum, corn and cotton management options to a weather and climate outlook.

Among the featured presentations from experts in the industry are Roric Paulman, co-founder of the Water Balance Alliance; Brent Bean, Sorghum Checkoff; Bech Bruun, Chairman Texas Water Development Board; Bob Glodt, Agri-Search, Inc.; Kater Hake, Vice President of Agricultural and Environmental Research at Cotton Incorporated; Brian Bledsoe, professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Colorado State University; Cody Draft, Pioneer Hi-Bred; Sid Miller, Commissioner Texas Department of Agriculture; and Craig Bednarz, Bayer Crop Science.

Registration for the event will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the program starting at 9:00 a.m. It is free of charge, CEU credit will be given and lunch will be provided. The program will conclude at 4:15 p.m.

The Texas Alliance for Water Conservation is a unique partnership of producers across eight Texas counties, data collection technologies, and collaborating partners that include: individual industries, universities, and government agencies. The TAWC project was made possible through a grant from the Texas Water Development Board.

Local irrigation supply companies, farm equipment dealers, farm credit businesses and commodity groups will have display booths and be available to answer questions and give details to attendees. Sponsors for this event include Bayer Crop Science, Sorghum Checkoff, Cotton Inc., DuPont Pioneer, Eco-Drip, Texas Sorghum Producers, Texas Corn Producers, AgTexas Farm Credit, Plains Cotton Growers, Capital Farm Credit, Diversity D Irrigation Services, Zimmatic Irrigation Services, Lubbock Electric, Hurst Farm Supply, Watermaster Irrigation, Texas Tech University Agricultural & Applied Economics, and High Plains Underground Water District.

Written by Norman Martin

CONTACT: Rick Kellison, Project Director, Texas Alliance for Water Conservation Project, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2774 or silvercreekfarm@amaonline.com

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