Agricultural Irrigation

Results from a series of UNL field trials in 2024 that compared traditional irrigation practices with data-driven scheduling tools highlight the potential for smarter irrigation to boost sustainability and reduce costs on the farm.

Advanced tools like soil moisture sensors, variable rate irrigation, and precision nitrogen management are driving gains in input efficiency and on-farm profitability.

Unlock real-time, in-field decision-making with UNL's new PLAN mobile app — bringing irrigation insights, crop water use and weather data straight to your fingertips.

With unrelenting drought this growing season, early preparation of irrigation systems and the right scheduling tools could be the difference between high yields and costly water stress.

With urea ammonium nitrate in short supply, Nebraska corn growers must make every pound of nitrogen count — start optimizing your N strategy today with these UNL recommendations and tools.

How much can irrigation and nitrogen management impact yields? In the 2024 TAPS contest, the difference was 68 bushels — find out why in a new webinar from UNL’s Center for Agricultural Profitability.

The Nebraska Mesonet, a critical tool for weather monitoring and data collection across the state, has launched a redesigned, user-friendly website offering real-time weather data. The upgrade comes as the mesonet is growing its network of weather monitoring stations across Nebraska to offer more accurate data.

Our Nebraska Digital Ag Survey indicated that digital dashboards have been adopted by three out of 10 farmers. Digital dashboards are considered decision support tools that can guide farmers in the decision-making process in their operations with the goal of increasing efficiency, productivity and sustainability of their farms. Data-driven decisions are a key goal for digital agriculture. In this article, we are highlighting the Dashboard for Agricultural Water and Nutrient Management (DAWN), developed by a team of universities as part of a USDA NIFA grant.

How can we ensure everyone has long-term availability of clean water and nutritious food in the face of a changing climate? With a theme of “A Resilient Future: Water and Food for All,” the Water for Food Global Conference tackles this critical question, convening global experts to explore innovative solutions and build a more resilient tomorrow. The conference will be held April 28–May 2, 2025 and is hosted by the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska, bringing together leaders working to solve one of the world’s most pressing issues — feeding a growing planet while preserving our precious natural resources.