Center Pivot Conversion Program
The South Platte NRD Pivot Conversion Program provides cost share funds
to help producers convert furrow-irrigated land to sprinkler irrigation,
by either a center pivot or lateral-move system.
The program
provides cost-share assistance of $97.75 per acre, not to exceed 30
percent of the actual cost of the equipment and installation. The program
also provides 50 percent cost-share on up to 1,400 feet of underground pipe
from the water source to the sprinkler and 50 percent cost-share on an
attached flow meter. Cost-share is not approved for
improving a pump or electrical work.
This
program is possible through grant funding from the Nebraska Environmental
Trust, which provided $100,000 for the program in 2003 and intends to award
another $200,000 through 2005.
The
goal of the program is to not only conserve groundwater, but also improve
groundwater quality by increasing irrigation efficiency, which should
minimize leaching of agricultural chemicals from the crop root zone.
