Nebraska Extension Releases Weekly Crop Water Use Report

By Scout Nelson

Nebraska Extension specialists have released updated crop water use estimates for producers in the Nebraska Panhandle and northeast Colorado. The information is intended to support irrigation management and promote efficient water use throughout the growing season.

The weekly estimates are based on data collected and analyzed by Gary Stone, a Nebraska Extension educator, and Xin Qiao, an extension irrigation and water management specialist. Both are based at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Panhandle Research and Extension Center in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.

The report provides estimated crop water use for the period from July 28 through Aug. 4, 2026. These estimates help growers better understand water demand across different crops and production regions.

Crop water requirements can vary considerably depending on local conditions. Factors such as evapotranspiration (ET), crop growth stage, temperature, soil type, wind, and rainfall all influence how much water crops need during a given week.

Because environmental conditions differ by location, actual crop water use may vary from field to field. Growers are encouraged to use the estimates as a guide when planning irrigation schedules and water applications.

Proper irrigation management can help improve crop performance while reducing unnecessary water use and production costs. Accurate scheduling is especially important during periods of high temperatures and peak crop water demand.

Additional resources are available to assist producers with irrigation decisions. These include crop growth stage charts, statewide growing degree day and evapotranspiration data through the CropWatch GDD/ET tool, and information available on the PHREEC Irrigation and Digital AgLab website.

The published charts include water-use estimates for major crops grown in the Nebraska Panhandle as well as selected crops in northeast Colorado. These region-specific resources can help producers track crop development and adjust irrigation practices as conditions change.

By combining crop water-use estimates with weather and crop growth data, growers can make more informed irrigation decisions. This approach supports efficient water management and helps maximize the use of available water resources.

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