According to Ralph Lind, assistant manager at Pathfinder Irrigation District, there hasnt been much demand for irrigation water, other than a few days last week when temperatures rose into the 90s. The district began deliveries May 7, and filling of the Inland Lakes continues.

The Goshen Irrigation District delivered water to the state line between Wyoming and Nebraska last Sunday, according to district manager Bill Vandivort.

"We have a few irrigating hay now, and a few will take some after the hay is up, but the rain has helped and we dont have a big demand now," he said.

"Its a normal run right now, and it depends on the weather and how long they run to the lakes how long the water stays in," Lind said. "Well probably start to shut down May 28."

Rick Preston, manager of the Gering/Fort Laramie district, said his district is just bringing in water this week and should be ready to make deliveries some time Thursday.

"The hay farmers will probably hold off now until after the first cutting is up before they take delivery," Preston said. "Some will probably take some on their grain, but we dont expect to divert a tremendous amount at this time."

"I hope the guys are real thrifty and the weather works with us, so we have a good carryover at the end of this season," Preston said. "If we have another winter like the past two, it will put us in a bind, and we dont want that.

"But, these are smart water managers. Theyve been through it before and theyll prepare for cut backs if needed next year."

The Scottsbluff area has registered 2.18 inches of rain during May. The normal precipitation to this date is 1.79 inches. So far in 2001, the area has officially counted 6.26 inches, while the normal to-date amount is 5.43 inches.

The Gering/Fort Laramie Irrigation District delivers water to 55,000 acres, while the GID serves 52,484 acres and Pathfinder provides irrigation water to 102,000 acres.

"Most crop damage occurs in the spring when adult beetles emerge and begin feeding on cotyledons and the first true leaves of young plants. Late maturing vegetable crops such as potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and sugar beets can become heavily infested in the fall because the leaves remain green for a longer period. Flea beetle damage is easily recognized. The adults chew small round holes in the leaves giving the plant a shot hole appearance. Extensive feeding during hot and dry conditions may destroy an entire crop during the early stages of development."

Producers can reduce flea beetle injury by increasing seeding rate and controlling cruciferous weeds such as flixweed, stinkweed and wild mustards prior to emergence or transplanting of the crop. Sprinkler irrigation applied during warm dry conditions will drown the adult beetles and improve crop development and vigor making the crop less susceptible to feeding damage.

"For crops such as broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower that require cosmetic protection, there are several chemical insecticides on the market proven effective against flea beetles," adds Motta.