Irrigation

Considerations for Planting into Dry Conditions

April 12, 2024

As planting is critical for everything else that happens during the growing season, the dry conditions have led to a variety of questions this spring regarding soil conditions, planting depth, irrigation and herbicides.

Irrigation systems aerial view — **Figure 1.** Center pivot irrigation systems dot the landscape along the South Platte River. On the North Platte River, Lake McConaughy reservoir stores water which is later used for irrigation. (Photo credit: Google Earth)

New Article Traces Aspects of the History of Irrigation in the Great Plains and Water Productivity

March 23, 2022

A review of the history of irrigation in the Great Plains region from a geographical, technical and political perspective, as well as how it has impacted water resources.

Water Supply, Weather Updates at the Yonts Water Conference April 12 in Gering

March 22, 2022

This year's conference will feature irrigation water and weather outlooks for the 2022 growing season, as well as irrigation research updates and a meet-and-greet with irrigation district representatives.

Trenton Franz in field — A research paper by Trenton Franz, associate professor of hydrogeophysics at Nebraska, and co-authors points to an innovative irrigation approach that could decrease water use while increasing producer profitability. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication)

Husker Researchers Develop Tool to Make Irrigation More Efficient

March 10, 2022

A research paper by University of Nebraska–Lincoln scientists points to an innovative irrigation approach that offers promise to decrease water use while increasing producer profitability.

Canal without water — **Figure 1.** Tunnel No. 1 when there is no water in the Goshen/Gering-Fort Laramie Canal.

Update on the 2019 Tunnel Collapse and Canal Washout — Tunnel Repair or Replacement Options

February 14, 2022

The Gering-Fort Laramie Irrigation District is seeking public opinion on whether to repair or replace Tunnels No. 1 and 2.

Climate Change and Future Nebraska Water Challenges

November 10, 2021

Dave Aiken, professor and water and agricultural law specialist in UNL's Department of Agricultural Economics, highlights concerns about climate change for agriculture in Nebraska.

Goshen/Gering-Fort Laramie canal collage — Tunnel No. 1 on the Goshen-Gering-Fort Laramie main canal, inside and out, in 2021: (Left) The “ribs” for support and the metal sheeting installed to improve water flow and decrease water turbulence. (Right top) Water flowing into Tunnel No. 1 during the 2021 irrigation season. (Right bottom) Tunnel No. 1 in the fall, when there is no water in the canal.

Update on the 2019 Tunnel Collapse and Canal Washout and 2021 Irrigation Season

October 19, 2021

Water flow through the tunnels were returned to 97% of capacity this summer, resulting in near normal water deliveries by the three major irrigation districts in the North Platte Valley during the 2021 growing season.

Figure 1. Soybean pods collected from stage R7 plants (one mature pod per plant) that were opened to determine if the pod wall interior membrane was still clinging tightly to the seeds (leftmost pod), or if it was beginning to detach from the seeds (second pod), or if the membrane was now permanently attached to the pod wall (third pod). After attaining physiological maturity, seeds undergo a dry-down period from about 60% moisture to about 13% moisture. Note that the Rx.x numbers used here are pod-based stages, not plant-based stages.

Understanding Ending Reproductive Stages in Soybean

August 27, 2021

The timing of the ending R stages in soybean is governed by planting date (PD) and varietal maturity group (MG), though the date of R7 can be hastened if water stress and high temperatures prevail in August — something we are seeing in portions of Nebraska this year.

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