The returns from current irrigation crops vary from slightly better than dry land farming for barley to superb returns from potato crops.
Increased profitability using different techniques was the focus of some projects at the Irrigation Crop Development Centre in Outlook his year.
Researcher Jazeem Wahib outlined an experiment with red peppers grown in .44 acre large wind tunnels.
The canvas covers over a metal frame provided returns between $2,350 and $4,210 per tunnel for peppers. Green peppers offered the lower return with a red pepper variety the highest.
Average production cost per wind tunnel was $2,075.
One trial had three varieties of potato with plans to harvest small potatoes that fetch a premium price of $1.10 a kilo compared to 22 cents a kilo for regular table potatoes.
Other crop trials included nine cultivars of beans, three of peas, several spices and canary seed.
Gross returns per acre run around $2,800 for seed potatoes, $1,700 for table potatoes and $400 for dry beans.
Next are lentils, around $375, fava beans and peas are around $225.
Canola and durum return about $250 an acre with barley less than $100.
Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
