By Scout Nelson
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Irrigation Water Management Lab is helping western Nebraska producers evaluate irrigation technologies under real-world field conditions. The program allows growers to test various tools before making investments and supports data-driven irrigation management.
As water availability, groundwater conservation, and rising production costs become more important concerns, efficient irrigation practices are gaining attention. The initiative demonstrates how on-farm testing and technology can improve water-use efficiency while maintaining crop productivity.
Through the Mobile Irrigation Testing (MIT) Lab, farmers can compare tools such as soil moisture sensors, satellite-based crop monitoring systems, and irrigation scheduling technologies. These evaluations provide practical insights that help growers determine which solutions best fit their operations.
A major focus of the program is helping producers decide when to irrigate. By using field data and advanced monitoring tools, farmers can make more informed decisions, reduce unnecessary water use, and improve overall irrigation efficiency.
The program also helps growers understand how to interpret and apply irrigation data to support sustainable water management. Farmers interested in participating or learning more about the initiative can contact Abia Katimbo at abia.katimbo@unl.edu for additional information.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-songbird
Categories: Nebraska, Crops, Sustainable Agriculture