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Irrigation Preferences of Florida Potato Farmers and the Economic Effects of Cost Share on Subirrigation-Drainage Tile Installation

Hope Nelson, John Lai, , andLincoln Zotarelli


Release Date: 8/9/2026

DOI: 10.32473/EDIS-FE1177-2026

Agriculture

Abstract

Improvements to agricultural irrigation systems come with both benefits and costs. Cost share programs are crucial for Florida potato growers considering updating their irrigation systems from seepage to subirrigation with drain tile. This publication aims to inform potato growers, Extension agents, crop consultants, representatives of the fertilizer and irrigation industry, state and local agencies, the academic community, and interested Florida citizens of the cost, benefits, and production budgets involved in drain tile installation in potato operations both with and without cost share programs.

About this Publication

This document is FE1177, a publication of the Department of Food and Resource Economics, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date August 2026. Visit the Ask IFAS website at https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication. © 2025 UF/IFAS. This publication is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. 

How to Cite

Nelson, H., Lai, J., De Matos Oliveira, J., & Zotarelli, L. (2026). Irrigation Preferences of Florida Potato Farmers and the Economic Effects of Cost Share on Subirrigation-Drainage Tile Installation. EDIS, 2026(4). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-fe1177-2026

Authors

Hope Nelson
Hope Nelson
staff
University of Florida

academic program specialist, UF/IFAS Department of Food and Resource Economics, Gainesville, FL

John Lai
John Lai
Specialist
University of Florida

assistant professor, agribusiness, UF/IFAS Department of Food and Resource Economics, Gainesville, FL

Judyson de Matos Oliveira
Judyson de Matos Oliveira

ph.D. Candidate, UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, Gainesville, FL

Lincoln Zotarelli
Lincoln Zotarelli
Specialist
University of Florida

professor and Extension specialist, UF/IFAS Department of Horticultural Sciences, Gainesville, FL

Publication #FE1177

Peer Reviewed
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