The CORE 4 practices discussed in the Part One of the module are most effective when integrated into an overall management system that addresses all natural resource concerns and the objectives of the landowner or operator. Other agricultural management measures, beyond the CORE4 practices already discussed, may provide additional benefits to the farmer and the environment. These measures can be considered as part of a comprehensive management plan. The supplemental measures include irrigation water management, animal grazing management, animal feeding operations (AFOs) management, and erosion and sediment control.
Irrigation Water Management
A primary concern for irrigation water management is the discharge of salts, pesticides, and nutrients to ground water and discharge of these pollutants plus sediment to surface water. Effective and efficient irrigation begins with a basic understanding of the relationships among soil, water, and plants (click for image). The amount of water the plant needs, its consumptive use, is equal to the quantity of water lost to evapotranspiration. Due to the inefficiencies in the delivery of irrigated water (e.g., evaporation, runoff, wind drift, and drip percolation losses), the amount of water needed for irrigation is greater than the consumptive use. In arid and semi-arid regions, salinity control may be a consideration, and additional water may be needed to flush the salts from the root zone.
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