Manual classification of soils into textural classes with the USDA textural triangle is tedious. This computer program can perform the same task easier and faster. The algorithm is based on the fact that each point in the textural triangle represents a unique combination of sand and clay content. For a given textural class, all combinations of sand and clay content are bound by a polygon. Finding the textural class is equivalent to finding the polygon where a particular combination of sand and clay is located. Both a World Wide Web interactive version and a Windows 95 console program are available. On a 133 MHz Pentium microcomputer, the Windows version can classify 1000 soil samples in about a second.
Michigan has an estimated 475 000 acres of irrigated land. The irrigation is used to supplement seasonal rainfall during short periods of drought. Many row crops such as corn (Zeamays L.), soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.), and dry beans (Vicia faba L.) are under sprinkler irrigation systems. Much of the tree fruit acreage is also irrigated, using mainly drip/trickle systems. Though irrigation usually results in higher yields and income, it is possible that the expense of owning and operating an irrigation system outweighs income benefits if calculated over several years. The Irrigation Cost Analysis Program (ICAP) has been designed as a tool for assessing the risk associated with investing in an irrigation system for corn production. Using inputs such as purchase price, annual finance rate, production costs for irrigated and nonirrigated crops (e.g., fertilizer, seed, fuel, etc.), yield related costs, and irrigation costs, a user gains insight into the factors affecting the profitability and risk of such an investment. Using the validated CERES‐Maize growth simulation and water balance model in conjunction with weather, management, and economic data, ICAP provides estimates on 30 yr net profit for irrigated and nonirrigated corn crops, and the increase in yield necessary to pay the increased costs. Research Question Use of irrigation to supplement water requirements is becoming increasingly common in many humid areas. The supplemental irrigation helps to offset the effects of short term drought and help maintain crop yield. However, there are hidden risks involved with investing in an irrigation system. Quite often, the costs associated with owning and operating an irrigation system can be greater than the economic benefits. To help growers better identify the risks, a computer program called Irrigation Cost Analysis Program (ICAP) was developed. ICAP uses information entered by the user in conjunction with yield and water use data generated from a growth simulation model, to help growers evaluate the economic risks involved in purchasing an irrigation system for corn production. Literature Summary Traditionally, programs that evaluate the cost:benefit of investment look only at the averages and do not take into consideration the highs and lows. Many of the input parameters are also lumped together into one large category. There are many changes, however, that occur when switching from dryland to irrigated strategies. Input costs increase with irrigated agriculture because more seeds per acre can be planted and the yield potential is higher, which causes increases in nutrient inputs. There are also additional trucking, drying, and harvesting costs associated with higher yielding irrigated strategies. All of these inputs must be considered. Most programs merely evaluate dry, medium, and wet years. ICAP uses 30 yr of weather in conjunction with the CERES‐Maize growth simulation and water balance model to help determine the range of yields and irrigation water use values. A side‐by‐...
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