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Nebraska farmers rely on irrigationBy Jennifer Bremer Nebraska is known as the "Cornhusker State," being the third largest corn-producing state in the United States. In addition, Nebraska is the number one irrigated corn state in the country with more than 84,000 wells, and is home to every major center pivot manufacturer. According to the Nebraska Corn Board, nearly 70 percent of the corn produced in Nebraska is irrigated, with approximately 84,000 registered wells and an estimated two billion acre-feet of easily accessible ground water from the Ogallala Aquifer, which lies below 59 percent of Nebraska's land surface. On the Groeteke farm, near Primrose, in central Nebraska, 95 percent of their 7,500 acres of farmland is under irrigation. Tom and Sue Groeteke and their two sons, Paul and John, operate Triple G Farming in Boone County and three surrounding counties. Another son, Jeremy, works for Pioneer Hi-Breds in York, Neb. The Groeteke farm, which has been in the family since 1952, consists of mostly corn and soybeans, but they also grow popcorn, alfalfa and wheat, along with having a custom silage cutting and farming business. "There's always something to keep us busy, especially when you consider we are taking care of over 50 pivots," said Tom. The Groetekes rely on center-pivot irrigation systems to raise their crops, but it does take a lot of man hours to ensure the machines are running properly so they can receive the proper benefits. "Just checking pivots can take all day since we have so many. Maintenance on them can be challenging too," said Paul. "Tires alone are one person's job." In most cases every parcel of land the Groetekes farm has a well that will pump 800 gallons per minute per pivot. Most of the low-pressure systems have a monitoring device to let them know if there is a problem with the machine. The devices are run by remote technology, using a computer or cell phone to alert them of how the system is running. Depending on the device, they can start or stop the water flow or add the chemical or fertilizer through the system with the punch of a few buttons. "It makes it handy, but we still have to check the pivots daily, and sometimes twice a day," said John. Spring preparation Besides ordering seed and ensuring tractors and other equipment run properly, the Groetekes must also check and service each system every spring. While they prefer their systems to run on electric power, about half of them still run on a diesel-powered generator. With the high price of diesel fuel, Tom would like to see the rest of the pivots run on electricity. However, since a lot of their land is rented, they must run them how the landlord prefers. Rent is adjusted according to input costs. "Margins do become harder when inputs cost more," he said. Farming practices The Groetekes utilize no-till practices on most of their ground. Paul said the reasoning is mostly because of manpower, but they also reap the benefit of moisture conservation, which may become more of an issue in the future. "As we farm more acres with less manpower it is important for us to utilize as many beneficial short-cuts as we can," said Paul. Since they farm many different types of ground--hillsides, flatland, river bottoms--they also have to manage a range of different kinds of soils. "Sandy soils take different management than clay hillsides or river bottoms. Along with the differences in soil comes a difference in fertility also," said John. Hybrids are matched to soil type and field history in order to increase the yield potential. Tom said the yield potential on their land can range from 160 to 220 bushels per acre for corn, with their dryland farming generally about 60 bushels to the acre lower than the irrigated fields. Since the pivot only covers 135 acres of a 160-acre quarter, it is important for them to plant lower populations on the corners because of the fertility problems. Markets lead to management changes Tom said they will plant more soybeans in 2008 because of the increase in the soybean market, however, the ground is more in a balance of corn and soybeans than it used to be. The purchase of a new planter will allow them to plant twin rows with 30-inch centers and two rows seven inches apart. They will use it mostly for planting soybeans, but may also try it on some corn. "We also hope to increase our yields by using our new planter and planting our soybeans earlier," said Paul. "We want to be able to capture more yield and research shows earlier planting can do that." A recently opened ethanol plant in nearby Albion has given the Groetekes another source for marketing their grain. Their higher moisture corn is sold to local feedlots and hog operations, which gives them the opportunity to utilize all angles of the market. Harvest time In order to spread harvest out in the fall, they start with cutting silage and combining high moisture corn the end of August. The rest of the crop generally isn't started until the last part of September, which allows them to do some custom silage cutting in between. Popcorn is delivered straight from the farm to a nearby popcorn plant and does not require any on-farm storage. The rest of the grain is delivered to the ethanol plant or stored in 500,000 bushels worth of bins located on their farm and other rented ground. Since they farm in approximately a 60-mile radius of the homeplace, John said they also have utilized bags to store grain--especially high-moisture corn. They also will bag corn for feedlots, which buy some of their high-moisture corn. "Providing them with good storage for their purchase is important," he said. "It's important for us to have good temporary storage, especially when marketing corn to the ethanol plant, since they need it all year long," said Tom. Uncontrollable factors in farming While Tom knows a lot of farming depends on factors that are uncontrollable, including weather, input costs and markets, he also knows that it is important to know how to manage many different situations. "With all the variables involved with farming, it is very important to be a good marketer of your grain and be able to manage risk," he said. "With an increase of production costs risk management becomes very important," added Paul. Energy continues to be a big catalyst for the agriculture industry with ethanol, biodiesel and wind power; but with proper risk management techniques farmers will be able to continue feeding and fueling the world in the future. "The economic dynamics are interesting right now. It's something we've never seen before, so we have to learn how to adapt to the change," said Paul. Jennifer Bremer can be reached by phone at 515-833-2120 or by e-mail at jbremermaj@hotmail.com. 2/25/08 Date: 2/21/08
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