Water News Archive

Tuesday July 28, 2026

Watering the Landscape During Periods of Water Restrictions, Heat and Drought

If your property is currently under a water restriction or is just in a period of heat and drought, it’s prudent to implement some commonsense practices when watering lawns, vegetable gardens and landscape plants. For various reasons, some communities restrict water application. Regardless of whether your local authority has placed limits on watering amounts and frequency, several techniques can be helpful.

Tuesday July 28, 2026

Lagoon Water Levels, Are They Important?

One of the most common wastewater questions during the summer months, and definitely during times of drought is about the water level in lagoons. Many say the water level stays at only about 2 feet or even less and ask if that’s a problem, and if so, how do they keep the water level higher?

Monday July 27, 2026

Nebraska Water Tour learns about the Republican River

The 2026 Water and Natural Resources Tour was

Monday July 27, 2026

100th tower brings milestone for Nebraska Mesonet and weather data

Better data helps support wildfire, drought, and severe weather response, along with a wide variety of other tools for Nebraskans.

Monday July 27, 2026

UNL grad launches "Conservation Works" on NET

Conservation Works

Thursday July 23, 2026

Soybean Management Field Days to Showcase TAPS Results, Production Strategies

For over 25 years, growers have benefited from the latest advancements in soybean production, management and marketing at Nebraska Extension’s Soybean Management Field Days. This August, the annual event offers practical insights into cutting-edge soybean management practices and technologies, along with opportunities to network with fellow farmers and industry experts.

Wednesday July 1, 2026

Goshen/Gering-Fort Laramie Canal Tunnel No. 2 Replacement Moves Forward

The first stage of replacing Tunnel No. 2 on the Goshen/Gering-Fort Laramie Canal has been completed. This phase focused on the inlet and outlets of Tunnel No. 2 to prepare for the full tunnel removal/replacement, which is scheduled to begin in fall 2026.

Monday June 29, 2026

2026 UNL-TAPS Field Days Set for Mead, Gothenburg and North Platte

Every management decision has consequences. See how irrigation, nitrogen, marketing and other in-season choices are shaping real corn and soybean competition fields at this year's UNL-TAPS Field Days.

Friday June 26, 2026

Two Northeast Nebraska Field Days to Showcase Regenerative Agriculture Practices

Producers, landowners, agricultural professionals and community members interested in soil health, profitability and resilient farming systems are invited to attend two upcoming field days focused on regenerative agriculture in northeast Nebraska this July.

Tuesday June 23, 2026

Precipitation insurance deadline approaches for annual forage planted in 2026-2027

Forage will be in short supply this year and likely throughout 2027. For farmers and ranchers planning to fill the feed gap by planting annual forages from August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2027, the USDA Risk Management Agency’s (RMA) Annual Forage insurance program provides the option of taking coverage for a lack of precipitation.

Friday June 19, 2026

North American Manure Expo 2026 at Wayne, NE Showcases Equipment Demonstrations from Pit/Lagoon to Field

The North American Manure Expo July 28-30 at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Wayne, NE continues to distinguish itself as one of the few events dedicated entirely to manure management, covering every step from the barn to field application. In addition to the trade show, tours, and educational sessions, a hallmark of this expo is its emphasis on live equipment demonstrations, giving producers and custom applicators the opportunity to evaluate machinery performance under real-world conditions before making purchasing decisions.

Thursday June 18, 2026

Inside classrooms, Nebraska students learn the importance of groundwater with Know Your Well Program

High school students get hands-on experience

Wednesday June 17, 2026

What is the North American Manure Expo & Why Should I Attend?

The 2026 North American Manure Expo that is being planned for Wayne, NE on July 28 through 30 is a trade show and extension program all rolled into one. It includes tours the first day and two days of trade show that also includes live demonstrations and education sessions featuring the latest science and technology related to manure handling and application. Early bird pricing ends June 30, so get your tickets now!

Thursday June 11, 2026

Nebraska Extension Issues an Important Reminder for Statewide Private Well Drinking Water Testing

Nebraska Extension is urging residents who rely on private wells for their drinking water to take immediate action to test their drinking water and treat any identified risks. Annual testing and recommended treatment is the only reliable way to ensure water safety and protect household health.

Wednesday June 10, 2026

Well & Septic Owner’s Checklist

💧Inspect your wellhead and area around it in the spring and fall. Perform maintenance as necessary:

Friday June 5, 2026

Irrigating Annual Forages in a Dry Year: Establishing Stands and Maximizing Yield with Limited Water

Annual forages can help fill forage gaps in dry years, but irrigation timing matters — especially during stand establishment and early vegetative growth. Learn how to make limited water go further this season.

Friday June 5, 2026

Managing Corn Irrigation in South-Central Nebraska: Insights for 2026 Under Drought Conditions

With water supplies under pressure in parts of Nebraska, a south-central Nebraska study found several irrigation scheduling tools delivered similar corn yields while recommending different amounts of water.

Thursday June 4, 2026

Applying Manure to Hay and Pasture

Hay and pasture can be excellent places to use manure nutrients. Forage crops are hungry, they respond well to nitrogen, and they offer flexibility when row crop acres are already planted or conditions aren’t ideal elsewhere. That said, forage stands are less forgiving than bare ground. Unlike corn acres, where manure gets incorporated and everyone moves on with their lives, hay fields tend to remember what you did to them (I remember that rut from last year).

Thursday May 21, 2026

Smart Crop Irrigation Scheduling Service for Corn and Soybean

Irrigation for corn and soybean is essential across much of Nebraska. With ever-increasing costs for energy and labor, and concerns for natural resource overconsumption and environmental footprint, decision-making for irrigation scheduling has become a critical management task for many producers. Conventional irrigation scheduling for corn and soybean requires constant crop field scouting, which is not only time consuming and costly, but also demands past experience and educated judgement. This is always a challenge to those who lack experiences or new to the business. CropSmart is a science-based, data-driven irrigation scheduling tool for corn and soybean producers. It was developed with funding from the National Science Foundation, led by George Mason University with contributions from institutions including the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR).

Monday May 18, 2026

Nebraska launches Master Irrigator program to strengthen farm profitability and water stewardship

Nebraska farmers and agriculture advisors joined a new education series designed to improve irrigation farming operations through efficiency, increased profitability, and strengthening long‑term water stewardship. The Nebraska Master Irrigator program brings together producers, agricultural advisors, and industry partners to support data‑driven decision-making that reduces groundwater pumping and nitrate losses while positioning farms to have a competitive edge.