Irrigation, Water for Winter Wheat

Winter wheat

Since 2003, Nebraska producers have grown approximately 1.75 million acres of winter wheat per year. Of this total, approximately 12% or 209,000 acres were irrigated. Statewide irrigated wheat yields have averaged 63 bushels/acre, but yields of 120 bushels/acre are not uncommon, particularly in western Nebraska.

  • Producing Irrigated Winter Wheat (EC731) Provides production guidelines specific to growing irrigated winter wheat, from preparing the seedbed through harvest of the crop.
    • Weekly water use from planting to harvest for irrigated winter wheat. 
      graph of water use in winter wheat

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.