Project Search
Since its inception in 2004, CIG has funded hundreds of projects, boosting natural resource conservation while helping producers improve the health of their operations for the future. Use this tool to search for CIG projects based on any of the criteria listed below.
CIG projects from 2004-2009 may be missing information in the following categories: Resource Concern (specific), Conservation Practice, Production/Use.
Showing 1751 - 1760 of 1760 projects
University of Idaho
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ID
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The project will develop and demonstrate proper tape depth and spacing to accommodate subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) on rotations of silage corn with small grains or alfalfa. It will also determine additional water management or planting strategies that may be needed. SDI provides a high uniformity water application compared to set systems, particularly on odd-shaped fields. A properly-operating SDI system can meet crop water needs with about 10% less water than a center pivot or 25% less water than set systems, and energy consumption will be cut in half. A properly managed SDI system will eliminate almost all surface runoff and minimize deep percolation and leaching potential for soluble agri-chemicals.
University of Idaho
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ID
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The purpose of this project is to demonstrate, evaluate, and encourage the use of zeolites to retain nitrogen in manure and reduce odors, ammonia, and other air emissions from dairy operations. The zeolite filtration technology has shown the ability to treat a broad spectrum of airborne compounds making it a promising technology for mitigating emissions of odors and gases. Development of Best Management Practices (BMP) related to the utilization of zeolites will include educational materials as well as technical guidance for NRCS and other agencies to be able to incorporate this technology. Costs associated with the implementation of these technologies will be analyzed to provide dairy producers with economic information. It is expected that the odor reduction and nitrogen retention in the zeolites will make the zeolite filtration technology very attractive for dairy producers.
University of Idaho
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ID
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The project will help improve nitrogen (N) utilization of green manure crops grown under irrigation in Southern Idaho. Data obtained from growers&39, fields throughout Southern Idaho and from the UI Kimberly Research and Extension Center will be used to establish the relationship between plant available N and tissue N under Idaho conditions. The OSU Cover Crop Calculator will be used as a template to create an online University of Idaho Cover Crop Calculator based on Idaho-specific data. Green manures to be evaluated will likely include chickling vetch, white clover, Austrian winter peas, hairy vetch, sanfoin, red clover, sorghum sudan, wheat, barley, triticale and rye.
University of Idaho
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ID
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The project is an innovative approach that provides tools and strategies to assist farmers in adopting direct seed operations. This farmer -to-farmer mentor program will partner a farmer experienced in direct seeding with at farmer currently using conventional tillage. The mentor will provide custom-seeding services on a portion of the farmer's land, creating an on-farm demonstration of direct seeding. This also provides a side-by-side comparison of direct seed and conventional tillage for the farmer to observe. Tours and workshops will be conducted, and a framework will be developed to transfer the approach to other regions. The ultimate outcome is increased adoption of direct seeding, which will benefit farm profitability, soil tilth and stability, and the surrounding environment.
University of Idaho Extension
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ID
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The project will use the IMO (Irrigation Management Online) program, developed by Oregon State University and the Oregon NRCS. This tool links with existing weather station networks to provide individual farms with advice on irrigation scheduling and system management, and provides recordkeeping. IMO can assist with design of irrigation systems to improve system sizing and enable more effective management. Local training and technical support will be provided as IMO is piloted on cooperating farms in the Snake River Basin. More efficient use of water will help reduce the potential for off-site transport of nutrients, and will provide economic benefit to producers as well.
ViCo LLC
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ID
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The project merges traditional fertilizer management methods with a soil biological health approach to maximize soil quality and reduce the need for fertilizer application over time. The integrated approach is designed to mitigate the poor soil acidic conditions in the seed zone attributed to acidifying fertilizer accumulation in dire seed systems on cropland. Additional benefits include reduction in soil erosion and improvement in water quality. The Latah Soil and Water Conservation District will provide assistance in outreach to area farmers.
Western Ag Research
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ID
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Promote & develop the use of satellite imagery for site-specific application of fertilizer N and ag-lime in dry-land grain fields of Ashton, Idaho. Satellite imagery will be used to determine where the fertilizer and ag-lime will be placed .
Western Ag Research
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ID
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The project will investigate and promote the value of the Web Soil Survey (WSS) to farmers as a quick, easy, and economical tool to make fertilizer prescription maps. The process of fertilizer application in zones will be facilitated by eliminating the need for aerial photographs of bare fields. The fertilizer season in eastern Idaho is short, so reducing the time and cost of zone mapping is critical. A farmer or crop consultant can access his field(s) from the Area of Interest (AOI) on the WSS and save it for use in GIS applications used by fertilizer-applicator controllers. A faster and cheaper zone mapping service will increase the incentive for adoption of precision agriculture by farmers in Idaho. The protocol will be demonstrated to six farmers who will participate in the field selection and in the fertilizer prescription maps, with outreach to and additional 100 farms.
Western Ag Research LLC
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ID
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GPS technologies can be used to monitor site-specific nematode populations through grid sampling. This could result in a 30% reduction in the amount of fumigants used on crops like potatoes. Fumigants are typically high hazard, non-selective contact biocides that also harm beneficial organisms in the soil. Reduction of fumigant use through grid sampling can improve soil quality and reduce risk to water quality. Application of fumigants will only occur to specific sites with an identified nematode population determined from density sampling. The project will demonstrate cost savings and a reduction in pesticide use while maintaining yields and high quality crops. Area workshops will be provided to farmers and crop consultants on this new IPM strategy for nematode management.
Wood River RCD
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ID
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Quantifying location, amount, and degree of noxious weed infestation are critical for informing year to year control activities. Use of GPS receivers and GIS software will increase the precision and accuracy of weed mapping and assist in weed management. The release of biological control agents to reduce the vigor, competitive ability, and fecundity of weeds has occurred in Idaho since the mid-1970s. There have been over 800 recorded releases, with most occurring on leafy spurge and knapweed. However there has been little follow up monitoring to determine insect establishment or weed impacts. The project's goal is to increase the data sharing between public and private landowners to increase the efficiency of weed management efforts. An inventory of noxious weeds will be performed, which will assist with the implementation of an IPM plan using chemical, prescribed fire, and biological control methods to improve native range conditions, and agricultural and forest lands. Follow up monitoring of all control efforts using proper methods will help in refining the IPM plan. Both private landowners and state and federal agencies will have access to the detailed mapping and GIS database. The project entails a public outreach campaign.