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Forages vary greatly in water-use efficiency, defined as pounds of forage produced per inch of water applied. In general, warm-season (C-4) forage crops are more water-use efficient than cool-season (C-3) crops. Further, annual forages use water more efficiently than perennial forages. So, legumes — like alfalfa — tend to be less water efficient than grasses.

In April 2025, we launched the first version of our mobile irrigation management app, PLAN. At the time of release, we promised that an irrigation scheduling tool would be made available, specifically designed for producers who don't have access to soil moisture probes. We're thrilled to announce that this scheduling feature is now live and ready for use by all Nebraska producers. This CropWatch article provides a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to help you navigate this new tool within the app.