Pueblo County, Colorado State University Extension Office, in conjunction with sponsors South Pueblo County Conservation District and Turkey Creek Conservation District, hosted a drought meeting on June 20.
The drought meeting was organized and directed by Kristi Bartolo, Pueblo County CSU Extension Agronomy Agent, and was held at the McHarg Park Community Center in Avondale. Joel Schneekloth, CSU Extension Regional Specialist, presented a slideshow presentation on agricultural water complexities and gave types of irrigation and ways to improve systems. He reminded attendees that irrigation efficiency and success during drought years go hand in hand.
The choice of irrigation systems must be based on efficiency during drought years when there is less water to work with. Schneekloth went over the different types of irrigation available, how efficient each type is and some of the pros and cons of each type. He ended with this advice, “Any approach is an improvement over nothing, start where you can, learn more, and advance as you can.”
Bartolo offered information about drought management and risk, and websites to use as tools. They included ranch drought monitoring dashboard at https://drought.unl.edu/ranchplan/ Overview.aspx and rangeland forage production forecasts at https://grasscast.unl.edu/ South Pueblo County Conservation District took the opportunity to recognize Doug Thacker for his 31 years of service on their board. Thacker is retiring this year. Ryan Froman presented Thacker with a commemorative plaque and conveyed the thanks of all who are involved with the conservation district.