Agricultural Irrigation

Agricultural water users can optimize water use efficiency and protect the quality of water resources by applying basic information about irrigation systems, crop water use and management practices.

Water and Crops Field Day Offered Aug. 23 in North Platte

Nebraska Extension, the Ogallala Water Project and the Nebraska Water Balance Alliance will host a water and crops field day on Aug. 23 at the West Central Research and Extension Center, 402 W. State Farm Road, North Platte.

Checklist for Winterizing Your Center Pivot

Irrigation season has wrapped up here in Nebraska. Now is a good time to evaluate you center pivot to make sure it is ready for winter and for another growing season. Here is a quick list of things to look at before winter sets in.

Problems Regarding Operating Pressure & Uniformity

Center pivots operation below or above the designed water pressure can create uniformity issues across the field and/or increase operating expenses.

Safety Concerns with Center Pivot Irrigation Systems

Center pivot irrigation systems have several potential hazards, so personal safety is a priority!

Nebraska Groundwater Levels Rise Following Wet Year

Groundwater levels across much of Nebraska continue to rebound from the historic 2012 drought, according to the 2019 Groundwater-Level Monitoring Report. On average, wells measured in spring 2019 saw a 2.63-foot increase in groundwater levels statewide.

Is It Too Easy To Turn The Irrigation Water On?

I have worked with irrigation management for almost 20 years. Today most farmers are doing a better job than when I started, however many still tend to over apply water -- leaving room for improvement. That left me wondering “Why” and “What could help more farmers apply the optimal amount of irrigation water?”

Now is the Time of Year to Check Pivot Performance

Derek M. Heeren1, Associate Professor and Water for Food Global Institute Faculty Fellow Steven R. Melvin2, Extension Educator Aaron Nygren3, Associate Extension Educator Eric Wilkening1, Undergraduate Research Assistant   1 Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Scheduling the Last Irrigation of the Season

What a year 2020 has been. After a year of record flooding over much of the state, we are now in various stages of drought. With limited rainfall over most of the state this year and fairly extended hot, dry periods, many irrigators may be wondering when is the irrigation season going to end?  With the price of grain, it is also worth considering do I need to apply that last inch or two of water to get that last bushel or two?

Planning 2021 Fertilizer-N Application Following a Dry 2020

Fertilizer-N is a big investment for crop production in Nebraska and elsewhere. After harvest, growers tend to plan their fertilizer-N management for the next year’s crop. But the question is how much nitrogen can they apply to get the most profit from their fertilizer-N investment?

Agricultural water users can optimize water use efficiency and protect the quality of water resources by applying basic information about irrigation systems, crop water use and management practices.