Irrigated agriculture remains the dominant use of freshwater in the United States, although its share of use is declining. Irrigated cropland area has expanded over 40 percent since 1969, while water application rates have declined about 20 percent. The total quantity of irrigation water applied increased about 10 percent since 1969. Nationally, the average variable cost of supplying water for irrigation was about $50 per acre in 2003; however, that amount does not reflect the full value of water. This book presents leading-edge research from around the world on this topic.

Irrigation came to the arid West in a wave of optimism about the power of water to make the desert bloom. Mark Fiege's fascinating and innovative study of irrigation in southern Idaho's Snake River valley describes a complex interplay of human and natural systems. Using vast quantities of labor, irrigators built dams, excavated canals, laid out farms, and brought millions of acres into cultivation. But at each step, nature rebounded and compromised the intended agricultural order. The result was a new and richly textured landscape made of layer upon layer of technology and intractable natural forces-one that engineers and farmers did not control with the precision they had anticipated. Irrigated Eden vividly portrays how human actions inadvertently helped to create a strange and sometimes baffling ecology. Winner of the Idaho Library Association Book Award, 1999 Winner of the Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Award, Forest History Society, 1999-2000

Egyptian agriculture is uniquely dependent on water, with over 95 per cent of agricultural production originating from land irrigated by the Nile. The improvement of irrigation systems and better control over water by farmers is therefore crucial to the drive to raise productivity in the current ocntext of scarce water resources, rich but underutilized land and changes in the institutional environment of the economy after "liberalization." This text evaluates the ambitious state-of-the-art Irrigation Improvement Project (IIP) and should be of interest to all those concerned with issues of water and development in the Middle East.

A Gottingen thesis studying Iron Age sickles and scythes and other reaping equipment from Northern Europe and Scandinavia. Catalogue includes 405 examples. To determine the precise function of various tools the author made replicas and tried them out. Discussion shows how changing tool types reflect changing farming patterns. 246S 583, 1993)

"Quality Maintenance in Stored Grains and Seeds " was first published in 1986. Minnesota Archive Editions uses digital technology to make long-unavailable books once again accessible, and are published unaltered from the original University of Minnesota Press editions.

Storage molds are a major cause of quality loss in grains and seeds held in farm bins and tanks, in commercial elevators and warehouses, and in barge and ship transport. The damage done by these storage molds is at first invisible, but later shows up as caking, mustiness, total spoilage of part or all of the grain, and heating - sometimes to the temperature of ignition. The authors, both of whom have had extensive first-hand field and laboratory experience with these grain storage fungi and the problems they cause, summarize in readable and readily understandable form the basic principles and specific practices to be followed in order to minimize such losses.

Chapters are devoted to grain grades and quality; storage fungi; conditions that promote or prevent loss in quality; spoilage in barge and ship transport; mycotoxins (toxic compounds produced by fungi growing in grains and feeds) and mycotoxicoses (the diseases caused in animals that consume such toxic products); insects, mites, and storage fungi, quality control; and identification of storage fungi as an aid in evaluation of grain condition and storability.

Ransomes of Ipswich was at the forefront of the agricultural engineering and grass-cutting industries in Britain. In the course of their 200-year history they were responsible for many innovations including the self-sharpening ploughshare and the world's first self-moving agricultural machine. They manufactured the world's first lawn mower and were renowned for steam engines and threshers. They built tractors and trolleybuses, combines and reach trucks; they provided Britain's tillage implements and they exported throughout the world. Using over 300 illustrations, a quarter in colour, this book provides a vivid picture of Ransomes and in particular their contribution to 20th-century farm machinery. The text is authoritative, full of detail and useful information for a wide range of enthusiasts, whether their interests are match ploughing, MG tractors, grass-maintenance machinery or combines.

With a roster of international contributors, this volume offers an abundance of solutions to address agricultural water management challenges in today's water-scarce areas of the world. The authors present studies on farmer-friendly irrigation scheduling methods, model-based analysis of crop water requirements, ways to optimize surface irrigation systems, and hydraulic design and management of surface water systems. The book goes on to highlight ways to improve soil properties by taking into account spatial, temporal, and spectral variability in soil properties. The volume also covers various innovative research studies on soil and water productivity of vegetable cultivation under water-stressed areas, application of coir geotextiles, and the role of biofertilizers in controlling soil degradation and maintaining fertile topsoil. Crop management strategies to enhance the efficient use of marginal and saline lands for nonconventional crops are also discussed. The book is divided into four sections, covering: engineering interventions in irrigation management technological interventions in management of soil properties technological inventions for soil and water conservation crop management for non-conventional use This volume will serve as an invaluable resource for academicians, researchers, engineers, agronomists, extension officers, students, and farmers in the broad discipline of agricultural and biological engineering.

In most developing countries wastewater treatment systems are hardly functioning or have a very low coverage, resulting in large scale water pollution and the use of very poor quality water for crop irrigation especially in the vicinity of urban centres. This can create significant risks to public health, particularly where crops are eaten raw. Wastewater Irrigation and Health approaches this serious problem from a practical and realistic perspective, addressing the issues of health risk assessment and reduction in developing country settings. The book therefore complements other books on the topic of wastewater which focus on high-end treatment options and the use of treated wastewater. This book moves the debate forward by covering also the common reality of untreated wastewater, greywater and excreta use. It presents the state-of-the-art on quantitative risk assessment and low-cost options for health risk reduction, from treatment to on-farm and off-farm measures, in support of the multiple barrier approach of the 2006 guidelines for safe wastewater irrigation published by the World Health Organization. The 38 authors and co-authors are international key experts in the field of wastewater irrigation representing a mix of agronomists, engineers, social scientists and public health experts from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Australia. The chapters highlight experiences across the developing world with reference to various case studies from sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Mexico and the Middle East. The book also addresses options for resource recovery and wastewater governance, thus clearly establishes a connection between agriculture, health and sanitation, which is often the missing link in the current discussion on 'making wastewater an asset'.

This valuable book, the third volume in the Research Advances in Sustainable Micro Irrigation series, focuses on sustainable micro irrigation management for trees and vines. It covers the principles as well as recent advances and applications of micro irrigation techniques. Specialists throughout the world share their expertise on:

Automation of micro irrigation systems

Service and maintenance of micro irrigation systems

Evaluation of micro irrigation systems

Scheduling of irrigation

Using municipal wastewater for micro irrigation

Micro-jet irrigation and other systems

The effect of potassium, acid lime, and other elements"

METAL FABRICATION TECHNOLOGY FOR AGRICULTURE, 2E provides students with an easy-to-understand, safety-conscious introduction to agricultural welding processes and techniques. Each section of this full-color book begins by introducing students to equipment and materials used in agricultural welding and includes complete setup instructions. The subsequent chapters in each section allow students to learn individual welding techniques in various applications and positions. METAL FABRICATION TECHNOLOGY FOR AGRICULTURE, 2E provides extensive coverage of brazing and specialized nonmetallic fabrication, designed to lead students step-by-step in developing the skills necessary for welding all types of agricultural machinery. Each chapter includes close up shots of actual welds and learning aids that have been proven to be effective, making this how-to and reference manual a key resource for students participating in agriculture education programs throughout the country.

Metal Fabrication Technology for Agriculture presents readers with a fast-paced, yet easy-to-understand introduction to must-know welding processes and techniques. Focusing squarely on agricultural welding applications, each section of this full-color book begins by introducing readers to the equipment and materials to be used in the process. Complete instructions for setup in preparation for welding are also included. Remaining chapters in the section allow readers to concentrate on mastering individual welding techniques in various applications and positions. Extensive coverage of brazing and specialized nonmetallic fabrication is designed to lead readers step-by-step in developing the skills necessary for welding all types of agricultural machinery. Up close shots of actual welds and proven-effective learning aids have also been built into every chapter, making this how-to and reference manual a key resource for today's farmers, ranchers, and students participating in agriculture education programs throughout the country.

This publication provides guidance for water users and districts in selecting, managing, inspecting, and maintaining their water measurement devices. Describes the standard methods and devices used to measure irrigation water. Acquaints irrigation system operators with other established but less common methods and with new or special techniques.

This trusted text provides a thorough introduction to agricultural mechanics, covering fundamental mechanical and engineering theory, common tools and materials, and a wide range of practical applications. Units explore essential topics such as career opportunities, shop orientation and procedures, woodworking and metal working, tool fitting, project planning, cutting and welding, paints and paint application, power mechanics, electrical wiring, plumbing, hydraulics, concrete and masonry, and agricultural structures.Safety is also emphasized strongly throughout the text, both within each chapter and in a dedicated unit. To engage today's students and make even complicated principles easier to apply, the text features abundant, full-color images, illustrations, charts, and data tables, as well as detailed drawings of over 50 complete project plans. More than 300 of these visuals have been added or updated for the Seventh Edition, which also boasts a suite of dynamic digital teaching resources, such as an online Coursemate with lecture materials, videos, interactive quizzes, and more. The new edition also includes updates to reflect the latest innovations in materials, machinery, and methods, providing a current and comprehensive guide to help students plan and execute agricultural projects effectively.

Contains the engineering tools and concepts that have proven useful in planning, constructing, and maintaining drainage systems for successful long term irrigation projects. Provides a ready reference and guide for making accurate estimates of drainage requirements.

The AQUASTAT Programme was initiated with a view to presenting a comprehensive picture of water resources and irrigation in the countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean and providing systematic, up-to-date and reliable information on water for agriculture and rural development. This report presents the results of the most recent survey carried out in the 18 countries of the Middle East region, and it analyses the changes that have occurred in the ten years since the first survey. It contains the detailed profiles on the situation in each country.

Barley is one of the world's most important crops with uses ranging from food and feed production, malting and brewing to its use as a model organism in molecular research. The demand and uses of barley continue to grow and there is a need for an up-to-date comprehensive reference that looks at all aspects of the barley crop from taxonomy and morphology through to end use. "Barley" will fill this increasing void. "Barley" will stand as a must have reference for anyone researching, growing, or utilizing this important crop.

Beyond providing a thorough introduction to the field of agricultural mechanics, the Precision Exams Edition of this trusted text aligns to Precision Exams' Agricultural Systems Technology, Level 1 exam. The text covers fundamental mechanical and engineering theory, common tools and materials, and practical applications including shop orientation and procedures, woodworking and metalworking, tool fitting, project planning, cutting and welding, paints and paint application, power mechanics, electrical wiring, plumbing, hydraulics, concrete and masonry, and agricultural structures. Safety is also emphasized strongly throughout the text, and a dedicated unit introduces students to diverse career opportunities. The current edition also features new information on the National FFA Organization and SAEs, first aid, and engine powered equipment, as well as new activities and lab exercises.