Soil Moisture Sensor Programs Offered by Nebraska Natural Resources Districts

Soil Moisture Sensor Programs Offered by Nebraska Natural Resources Districts

The following list of soil moisture sensor, cost-share programs offered by individual NRDS was compiled by the Upper Big Blue NRD office and reprinted with their permission.

Central Platte

Cost-share:  Cost-share program for the high-intensity (web-based) system only; provides $2,000 the first year. Recipient is required to use the system for three years and report to the NRD annually after the growing season for three years. The NRD allows reports sent directly from the computer program used with the probes.
Participation: New program in 2013
Technical Assistance: Yes

Lewis and Clark

No program

Little Blue

Cost-share: Sell Watermark® sensors and ETgages at reduced price (approximately 50% of NRD cost). Cost-share on capacitance probe systems (50% up to $1,000).
Technical Assistance: NRD and UNL Extension assist with installation for first-time users and data interpretation
Participation:  Over 200 producers, over 100,000 acres

Lower Big Blue

Cost-share: 50% up to $300 on Watermark® sensors and ETgages
Technical Assistance: Will assist with installation first year
Participation:  NA

Lower Elkhorn

Cost-share: Sell Watermark® sensors and ETgages at reduced price (approximately 50% of NRD cost). Cost-share on capacitance probe systems (50%), purchase only. No leases.
Technical Assistance: NRD and UNL Extension assist with installation for first-time user and data interpretation
Participation:  Over 75 producers, over 60,000 acres

Lower Loup

Cost-share:  Sell Watermark® sensors and ETgages
Technical Assistance: Yes, upon request
Participation:  15-20 producers, 2,000 acres

Lower Niobrara

Last year producers used soil moisture sensors to add points to their LB 483 acre applications (new irrigated acres in the previously fully appropriated area).
Participation: Approximately 1500 acres. This option may be made available this year if  applications are taken for new irrigated acres.

Lower Platte North

Cost-share: Sell Watermark® sensors at reduced price (approximately 50% of NRD cost)..
Technical Assistance: UNL Extension assists with installation for first-time user and data interpretation
Participation:  120 producers, 15,000 acres

Lower Platte South

Cost-share:  50% on soil moisture sensing equipment; 75% in "priority areas." No maximum
Technical Assistance: Yes, upon request
Participation: 1,000 acres

Lower Republican

Cost-share: 100% on soil moisture sensing equipment
Technical Assistance: Will install on request; $50 fee
Participation:  1,000 participants, 130,000 acres

Middle Niobrara

No program at this time

Middle Republican

Cost-share: 50% on soil moisture sensing equipment
Technical Assistance: NRD and UNL Extension assist with installation for first-time users and data interpretation
Participation:  15 participants

Nemaha

Cost-share: 50% up to $300 on Watermark® sensors and ETgages
Technical Assistance: Will install on request; $50 fee
Participation:  40 participants, 3,000 acres

North Platte

Cost-share: 50% up to $3000 on soil moisture sensing equipment. There are plans to revamp the program for 2015 to emphasize irrigation water management.
Technical Assistance: NRD and UNL Extension assist with installation for first-time user and data interpretation.

Papio Missouri

No program at this time. Looking into program for the future.

South Platte

Cost-share: 50% up to $1000 on Watermark® sensors and ETgages
Technical Assistance: Yes, with installation
Participation:  1,600 acres

Tri-Basin

Cost-share: 50% up to $300 on Watermark® sensors and ETgages

Technical Assistance: No
Participation:  1,000 acres

Upper Elkhorn

No Program

Upper Loup

No Program

Upper Niobrara White

Cost-share: Sell sensors. 50% cost-share up to $500 on Watermark® sensors and ETgages.
Technical Assistance: Yes
Participation:  25 cooperators, 4,000 acres

Upper Republican

Cost-share: 66% cost-share up to $1500 on Watermark® sensors and ETgages
Technical Assistance: No
Participation:  25-30 cooperators, 13,000 acres

Upper Big Blue

Cost-share: Sell Watermark® sensors and ETgages at reduced price (approximately 50% of NRD cost)
Technical Assistance: NRD and UNL Extension assist with installation for first-time users and data interpretation
Participation:  Over 400 producers, over 100,000 acres

Twin Platte

Cost-share: 50% cost-share up to $300 on Watermark® sensors and ETgages
Technical Assistance: Assist with installation for first-time user and data interpretation
Participation:  Over 30 producers, 3,900 acres

Online Master of Science in Agronomy

With a focus on industry applications and research, the online program is designed with maximum flexibility for today's working professionals.

A field of corn.