Irrigation

Distribution of the 1-square-kilometer cells where irrigated land in 2012 exceeded 50 percent of the cell area (blue-green dots) in Nebraska. Pink corresponds to declining annual, while yellow corresponds to declining irrigation-season (May-July) precipitation rates over the 1979-2015 period. The brownish color marks their spatial overlap.

Research Shows Large-Scale Irrigation Reduces Local Precipitation

February 28, 2018
A University of Nebraska-Lincoln researcher has shown that widespread irrigation has resulted in a net moisture loss in Nebraska, a finding that could have worldwide water conservation implications if substantiated by further research.

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Crop Water App

Using the Crop Water App with Watermark Sensors

February 8, 2018
The Crop Water App developed by Nebraska Extension is an excellent tool for producers using Watermark soil moisture sensors to aid irrigation scheduling. Here is a brief overview of how to use this app in your operation.

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Drop sprinklers on a center-pivot irrigation system in corn
Drop sprinklers on a center-pivot irrigation system in corn

Central Plains Irrigation Conference Feb. 20-21

January 29, 2018
Improved irrigation efficiency, management and regulations, and new technologies will all be addressed at the Central Plains Irrigation Conference Feb. 20-21 in Kansas. Celebrating its 30th year, the conference offers technical and practical information to help farmers manage water resources.

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Crop irrigation
Advances in irrigation will be the focus of a spring seminar series hosted by the university's School of Natural Resources on East Campus.

Spring Lecture Series to Focus on Advances in Irrigation

January 12, 2018
Advances in irrigation management will be the focus of a new lecture series being offered this spring at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Industry and university speakers will examine new technologies and options for improving irrigation application and management.

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Center pivot irrigating corn

Chemigation Training Schedule for 2018

January 11, 2018
A number of Nebraska Extension Chemigation Training sessions have been scheduled for growers needing to get their chemigation certification in 2018. Online study and in-person testing is available only for those needing to recertify.

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aerial view of East Campus
The Department of Biological Systems Engineering on the university's East Campus is home to three newly funded USDA grants advancing the development application of new ag technologies. Chase Hall, home to BSE, is shown on the right with the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory and testing track in the background

Engineering Research Focusing on Next Generation of Ag Technologies

November 2, 2017
The next generation of agricultural technologies and systems is the focus of three USDA-funded research projects in the Biological Systems Engineering Department at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The projects were announced Oct. 17 by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI).

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Screen capture of irrigation scheduling system

View Corn Plots and 7 Demos of Irrigation Scheduling Equipment at Aug. 31 Tour

August 25, 2017
View corn variety plots and demonstrations of seven irrigation scheduling systems at the Aug. 31 Hamilton County Corn Growers Tour. The seven systems have been monitoring the same field throughout the season, providing a unique opportunity for growers to compare how each system manages similar information.

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Center pivot with bad sprinklers

Now's a Great Time to Evaluate Your Irrigation System

August 18, 2017
Take advantage of final crop irrigations this summer to evaluate system performance and identify leaks or problems to fix or aspects to improve over the winter. Taking time now can pay off in improved irrigation efficiency and reduced costs next season.

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