Economic Feasibility Of Supplemental Irrigation In Central Missouri

Today, throughout the agricultural community of central Missouri, a trend is taking place which could substantially effect, or alter investments, corn yields and prices, and long range planning for its farmers. Drought conditions over most of this gentle, sloping land have triggered a search for alternatives to maintain high levels of productivity. Rather than turn to dry land farming techniques, sup}Jle:1ental irrigation has been used extensively in reducing the risk of limited rainfall when producing corn or soybeans. It is through this decision to irrigate that necessitates a carefully planned procedure to properly examine all aspect:, of this large investment in capital and equity. As experienced farm rangers can readily testify, a certain amount of "pencil-pushing" or preplanning must be performed in order to insure profitabilty and feasibility. Premature decisions with insufficient data to draw conclusions from could lead to a very slow and unpleasant financial recovery. However, with proper planning and sound, rational judgement, intelligent choices can be made if supplemental irrigation yields a profitable and practical alternative to dryland farming methods. It is the purpose of this paper to present a method by which the farm manager may analyze his potential to use supplemental irrigation as a risk reduction practice. By evaluating the major facets, a clearer understanding is given of its personal economic impacts.