Irrigation Farming in the Oahe Area Dryland

Farmers in the proposed Oahe irrigation area of east-central South Dakota could have water available for irrigation within about 10 years. In less time, however, they must decide if they want to convert part of their dryland to irrigated farming. A decision must be made shortly because of the: ( 1) Necessity of contracting with the Oahe Conservancy Subdistrict and the Bureau of Reclamation for irrigation water supply works and diversion of water from Oahe reservoir, and, ( 2) Need to adjust long-range farm plans in line with the decision. How profitable is irrigation farming as compared to dryland farming? How does this apply to MY farm? Answers to these questions are of major importance to Oahe area farmers. Material presented here is for comparing representative farms of five sizes in Lake Plains ( Brown and Spink Counties) and Missouri Slope ( Sully and Potter Counties) areas as shown on the map. Three farm sizes are considered for Lake Plains: 480 acres, 800 acres and 1,280 acres. Two sizes are considered for Missouri Slope: 1,280 acres and 2,560 acres. General dryland and irrigation farming comparisons are in Part I. Information useful in individual cases is in Part II. More detailed technical and economic information is in South Dakota State University Experiment Station Bulletin No. B518. County Extension Agents have been provided with this bulletin