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?