Nebraska Extension will host the 2026 Yonts Water Conference on Wednesday, April 8, beginning at 8:45 a.m., at the Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center.
Topics for this year’s conference include water management research updates and ACREE, a new irrigation water management app for growers’ irrigation water scheduling from Xin Qiao, Nebraska Extension irrigation management and engineering specialist. ACREE is an irrigation scheduling tool, specifically designed for producers who don't have access to soil moisture probes.
“The key advantage of this scheduler is its ability to track daily crop water use specific to a field location, providing more precise and timely irrigation guidance,” Qiao said.
Other topics include nitrogen levels in the North Platte River by Anni Poetzl, Nebraska Extension water quality educator, and an update from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Wyoming Area office representatives on the snowpack/runoff and irrigation water estimates for the North Platte River basin. There will also be an update on the progress on the Tunnel No. 2 replacement, and Don Day will provide the weather outlook for the 2026 spring/summer season.
Registration is not required but appreciated. Call 308-632-1230.
Conference Agenda
- 8:45–9 a.m. — Registration, coffee and rolls
- 9–9:15 a.m. — “NET Pilot Soil Sampling/Best Management Practices,” North Platte Natural Resources District
- 9:15–9:40 a.m. — “ACREE App and PHREEC Irrigation and Digital Ag Lab Research Update,” Xin Qiao, UNL Department of Biological Systems Engineering
- 9:40–10:10 a.m. — “Managing Nitrogen Applications in the North Platte NRD,” Anni Poetzl, Nebraska Extension water quality educator
- 10:10–10:40 a.m. — “2026 Spring Snowpack and Runoff Water Update,” U.S. Bureau of Reclamation personnel
- 10:40–11:10 a.m. — “Goshen/Gering–Fort Laramie Irrigation District’s Tunnel Replacement Update,” Cory Freeman, HDR Engineering; Kevin Strecker, Goshen Irrigation District general manager; Scott Hort, Gering–Fort Laramie Irrigation District general manager
- 11:10–11:40 a.m. — “2026 Spring/Summer Weather Outlook,” Don Day, DayWeather Podcast
