Irrigation

Pie chart showing entities responsible for maintaining irrigation systems as part of cash leases

2018 Cash Lease Adjustments on Irrigation Equipment for Cropland Rental Arrangements in Nebraska

August 16, 2018
How are landlords and tenants managing the costs for irrigation systems as part of their cash lease arrangements? Using data from the 2017-2018 Nebraska Farm Real Estate Survey, ag economists explore the options and discounts reported in this Cornhusker Economics.

Read more

Soil water measuring guage.
Wouldn’t it be great if our crops had a soil water gauge on them like the fuel tank? We could use them to help us directly determine when we need to irrigate and how much water the soil will hold. Soil water monitoring equipment can be the next best thing.

Field Days to Feature Irrigation Scheduling Equipment Demos

August 16, 2018
Two field days Aug. 27-28 will feature in-field demonstrations of soil water measuring tools designed to provide growers key data for irrigation management. Five of the systems were installed earlier this summer and users can view and compare data and displays online.

Read more

Center pivot irrigating late season field of corn.
Figure 1. As you try to use stored soil water without wasting any new precipitation, the last few irrigations of the season require some of the most important water management decisions of the year. (Photo by Steve Melvin)

How to Schedule the Last Few Irrigations of the Season

August 10, 2018
Final irrigations of the season are some of the most important water management decisions of the year. This guide walks through how to use weather and field information to schedule final irrigations and avoid costly, needless ones.

Read more

Rezaul Mahmood (left), co-leader of the GRAINEX project, talks with a student and co-leader Eric Rappin (right) of Western Kentucky University.
Rezaul Mahmood (left), co-leader of the GRAINEX project, talks with a student and co-leader Eric Rappin (right) of Western Kentucky University.

Husker-led Research Team to Examine Irrigation's Role in Precipitation

July 16, 2018
A national team led by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is studying potential links among irrigation, cloud formation and rainfall from a 3,600-square-mile region in southeastern Nebraska.

Read more

Youth at Youth Agronomy Field Day
Figure 1. Brad Ramsdale, professor of agronomy at the Nebraska College for Technical Agriculture, discusses plant and weed identification with a group of youth at a previous Youth Agronomy FIeld Day. (Photos by Kathy Burr)

Agronomy Youth Field Day Aug. 8 at Curtis

June 28, 2018
Curiosity is key to learning and the Aug. 8 Agronomy Youth Field Day offers a myriad of opportunities for youth to explore, learn, talk with kid-friendly experts, and consider careers in agronomic fields of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).

Read more

Irrigation in corn near a cattle feedlot with cattle
Irrigating diluted animal manures on growing crops can work if you ask the right questions. (Photo by Larry Howard)

Can I Irrigate Animal Manures On Growing Crops?

June 27, 2018
Recent heavy rains have many feedlot holding ponds full and operators looking for irrigation options to apply animal manure during the growing season. Here are some considerations for applying diluted animal manures without damaging the crop.

Read more

ETgage

Take Time to Set Up Nebraska Ag Water Management Equipment

May 23, 2018
As you finish planting, consider installing ETgages and soil moisture sensors before crop roots interfere. Then join the hundreds of farmers contributing their data each week to the Nebraska Agricultural Water Management Network, a valuable tool for managing your crop.

Read more

Irrigating Alfalfa

May 9, 2018
With low soil moisture levels in many areas, now might be a good time to start irrigating alfalfa to encourage deeper rooting to a deeper water reserve.

Read more