Water Management

With rising fuel prices and efforts to more efficiently utilize water for crop production, UNL Extension is working hard to help producers more effectively and efficiently use water resources while maintaining high crop yields. 

Agricultural water users can optimize water use efficiency and protect the quality of water resources by applying basic information about irrigation systems, crop water use and management practices. For optimum water use efficiency and profitability, producers need to monitor rainfall, soil moisture and crop water uses and utilize cropping systems like no-till or reduced tillage to capture and retain as much precipitation as possible.

See these UNL Extension resources for more information on water and irrigation management for all major crops grown in Nebraska.

Deficit Irrigation Information
Information on deficit irrigation and how to use the Water Optimizer tool developed by UNL.

Plant Growth and Yield as Affected by Wet Soil Conditions Due to Flooding or Over-Irrigation
This NebGuide discusses how wet soil conditions caused by flooding or over-irrigation can damage crops, reduce yields, and contribute to groundwater contamination. Adopting proper irrigation management strategies can limit negative impacts.

Predicting the Last Irrigation of the Season 
This NebGuide presents criteria and "rules of thumb" for predicting the last irrigation of the season for corn, grain sorghum, soybeans and dry beans. Average net irrigation needs across the state of Nebraska vary from six inches or less in eastern Nebraska to 14 inches in western Nebraska. Estimated corn, grain sorghum, soybeans and dry bean water needs for each stage of growth can be seen in Table I. Daily water use estimates can vary greatly across the state, and from year to year, making average water use rates just that estimates.

• How Extended High Heat Disrupts Corn Pollination 
• Irrigating with Limited Capacity Wells or Water Allocations
• Tips for Irrigating in Extreme Hot, Dry Conditions  
• Maximizing Pivot Efficiency
• Scheduling the Last Irrigation
• Weekly Irrigation Newsletter: Using Soil Water Tension Sensors to Schedule Irrigation in East-central Nebraska