Irrigation Training and Research Center

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

Cal Poly Irrigation Classes

Irrigation Industry

Water Agencies

Agriculture

1. Support the IRRIGATION TEACHING program 2. Modernize irrigation

Top 5 Agriculture States in the US (2012)

1. California $44.7B

2. Iowa $31.9B

3. Nebraska $24.9B

4. Texas $22.7B

5. Minnesota $20.5B

California has a large and vibrant market for Ag students, knowledge and technology

California’s Gross Ag Receipts (2012)

39%

27%

15%

11%

8%

Revenues

Fruits & Nuts ($17.21B)

Livestock & Poultry ($12.15B)

Vegetables & Melons ($6.78B)

Field Crops ($5.02B)

Greenhouse, Nursery & Horticulture ($3.54B)

Follow the money.

California’s Top 10 Ag Counties (2012)

1. Fresno $6.6B Almonds, Livestock, Grapes, Milk

2. Kern $6.2B Grapes, Almonds, Milk, Vegetables

3. Tulare $6.2B Milk, Grapes, Cattle, Oranges

4. Monterrey $4.1B Strawberries, Lettuce, Broccoli, Grapes

5. Merced $3.3B Milk, Almonds, Cattle, Chickens

6. Stanislaus $3.3B Milk, Almonds, Walnuts, Chickens

7. San Joaquin $2.9B Grapes, Walnuts, Milk, Almonds

8. Kings $2.2B Milk, Cotton, Cattle, Tomatoes

9. Ventura $2.0B Strawberries, Lemons, Raspberries, Celery

10. Imperial $1.9B Cattle, Hay, Wheat, Lettuce

California Ag Students do not have to go far…

California’s Leadership in Ag Commodities

– Almonds ($4.3B)

– Artichokes ($53.7M)

– Dates ($42.2M)

– Figs ($20.3M)

– Grapes, Raisins ($4.4B)

– Kiwifruit ($20.9M)

– Olives ($130M)

– Peaches, Clingstones ($128M)

– Pistachios ($1.1B)

– Plums, Dried ($176M)

– Pomegranates (small)

– Rice, Sweet ($844M)

– Seed, Ladino Clover (small)

– Walnuts($1.3B)

• California leads the nation in production of 79 agricultural commodities

• California provides >99% of the following commodities:

California leads the nation in many ag commodities.

California’s Top 10 Ag Commodities (2012)

1. Milk $6.9B 2. Grapes $4.4B 3. Almonds $4.3B 4. Nursery Plants $3.5B 5. Cattle, Calves $3.3B 6. Strawberries $1.9B 7. Lettuce $1.4B 8. Walnuts $1.3B 9. Hay $1.2B 10. Tomatoes $1.2B TOTAL $31.7B

Now, identify the top companies in

these specific commodity markets in California.

Learn-by-Doing Balance Theory with Application Balance Principles with Practice

BRAE

• Our Programs

– Undergraduate Programs • BS - Agricultural Systems Management (ASM)

• BS - BioResource & Agricultural Engineering (BRAE)

• Minor - Water Science

• Minor – Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

– Graduate Programs • MS Agriculture, Specialization in Irrigation

• MS Agriculture, Specialization in Agricultural Engineering Technology

• MS Engineering, Water Engineering

BRAE Today

Student Transfer Programs

Junior Colleges - Cooperative programs in development - Teaching Modules - Training Videos Magnet High Schools - Campus tours - Modifying curriculum

Table 1.1 - Admissions into the BioResource & Agricultural Engineering Program for Freshmen

and Transfer Students During Past Five Years

Fall 2008 Fall 2009 Fall 2010 Fall 2011 Fall 2012 Fall 2013 Avg

Total Incoming Freshmen 31 43 32 36 41 50

MCA Academic Score 3822 3814 3949 3853 4024 4101 3927

High school GPA 3.67 3.64 3.69 3.61 3.8 3.77 3.7

Math SAT 602 608 611 589 622 621 609

Total Incoming Transfers 4 3 5 6 2 3

MCA Academic Score 3508 3845 3973 4292 4492 4241 4059

Transfer GPA - - 3.06 3 3.35 3.38 3.2

Math SAT 510 590 635 630 580 610 593

• ABET Accredited Engineering Program

• Areas of Expertise – Water Engineering

– Mechanical Systems

– Electronics and Controls

– Surveying & GIS

– Biological Systems

– Energy & Sustainability

BRAE Program

• ASABE Recognized Program • Areas of Expertise

– Technical Management • Mechanical Systems • Processing and Manufacturing • Soil & Water Resources • Ag Waste Management • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) • Food Systems • Plant and Animal Production • Energy and Sustainability • Education

– Ag Business Minor

ASM Program

• Department Clubs & Teams

– Agricultural Engineering Society

– ASABE Student Engineering Branch

– ASABE Student ASM Branch

– Tractor Pull Team

– Tractor Pull Club

– ¼ Scale Tractor Design Team

• Scholarships

• Internships and Summer Employment

Student Programs

• Water Resources Facility

• John L. Merriam Irrigation Practices Field

• Office Building

MODERN FACILITIES

ITRC Water Resources Facility

Sample Research Projects

Mexicali Earthquake Canal Design

Strawberries: The effects of modifying irrigation methods for transplant establishment

Funding by: California Department of Food & Agriculture US Bureau of Reclamation – Mid Pacific Region California Strawberry Commission John Deere Water United Water Conservation District

Objectives:

- Keep strawberry transplants healthy

- Switch to drip irrigation as early as possible

Main Issues:

- Soil salinity management

- Uncollected sprinkler irrigation run-off

Keys to Implementation:

- Real-time soil salinity sensors

- Correct drip irrigation design and management

- Demonstration-scale plots

Results:

- Improved yields (~10%) and less water applied (~10%)

Palmdale and Lancaster Municipal Effluent Disposal 27 Center Pivots

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Drip and Micro Irrigation Design and Management

for Trees, Vines, and Field Crops Practice plus Theory

4th Edition – 2009

Charles M. Burt, Ph.D., P.E. Stuart W. Styles, D.E., P.E.

Irrigation Training and Research Center (ITRC) BioResource and Agricultural Engineering (BRAE) Dept.

California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) San Luis Obispo, California 93407-0730

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Long term salinity buildup on the West Side of the San Joaquin Valley DRIP irrigation

Ref: CaDWR

Climate Change: Warmer temperatures

Ref: CA DWR

California Snowpack

Jan 2013

Jan 2014

Lake Tahoe

Questions?