Expert: Richard Clark - 1/26/2003

Question
We are new to this farming life. We have about 3 acres planted in good grass/hay for our horses.  We live in the Evans Valley out of Rogue River.  Last summer we moved the irrigation pipe by hand and set up the value to the water line by hand. ( We have water rights, thanks goodness.)  Isn't there an easier and more efficient way to water the field in the summer? Where do we go for information and materials?

Answer
Hi
I live just over the mountain to the East of you in Malin. I know what you are going through.I have 215 pices of 3x40 pipe to move all Summer. I use nine wheellines to irrigate the rest. We are waiting to see how the snow pack for irrigation will be this comming year. Now for your question. Is there any way to flood the ground? It must be level to do this. With 3 acres you could purchase a short wheelline, then just roll it to irrigate when needed. Then there is the more expensive way, buy more pipe so that you don't have to move the pipe. I don't know who handles irrigation pipe over there. I see some in the fields so there must a dealer around. Next time I'm in the Medford or Grants Pass area I'll look around. I will save this question so that I can mail you more information. If, I can use the same question to answer twice.
Richard