An Intraseasonal Dynamic Optimization Model to Allocate Irrigation Water between Crops

A dynamic programming model that allocates irrigations among competing crops, while allowing for stochastic weather patterns and temporary or permanent abandonment of one crop in dry periods, is presented. Fifteen intraseasonal irrigations are allocated between corn and sorghum fields on the southern Texas High Plains. Broad rules of thumb implied by the results suggest irrigating the driest field in any stage unless soil water is close to field capacity on both fields or below wilting point on corn. A crop simulation model is used to reduce the complicated decision rules into simpler strategies with similar net returns.

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