Temperatures across western Nebraska cooled off over the weekend with some much-needed rain.

“We’ll have near-normal temperatures expected for this week with chances of precipitation each day,” said Gary Stone, Nebraska Extension educator.

Cooler temperatures and the recent rains will also aid in reducing some demand for irrigation deliveries.

“So far, the demand for water has been pretty high,” said Rick Miller, Pathfinder Irrigation District general manager. “The season has been exceptionally dry and hot.”

The district came back early for its second run and the demand for water was immediate and high.

Miller said this past weekend was the first relief from demand they have had all summer. Plus, growers are cutting hay, and some of the dry beans will be getting ready to finish.

“Our typical cut-off for water deliveries is the first week of September, but with some of the bean crop behind with the replant, we might run a bit longer to meet their demands,” he said.

Irrigation water deliveries continue across the North Platte Valley, with Pathfinder diverting approximately 1,765 cfs and Goshen/Gering-Fort Laramie irrigation district diverting approximately 1,400 cfs.

Assisting growers with monitoring their crop's water profile is the estimated crop water use for Aug. 12-18. The table information includes the estimated crop water use for Nebraska Panhandle crops for the previous week and the upcoming week. The table is based on data gathered and calculations made by Gary Stone, Nebraska Extension educator, and Dr. Xin Qiao, extension irrigation and water management specialist, both based at the UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.

Crop water use will vary across the Panhandle due to variations in ET, crop growth stage, temperature, soil type, wind and precipitation events. Crop water use will assist growers with irrigation scheduling and efficient water application and use.

Register online to receive a weekly text message with the table information.

The AgriTools App can provide easy access to location-specific climate and weather information to the agricultural industry in Nebraska.