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
