By Scout Nelson
Crop water uses estimates for the Nebraska Panhandle and northeast Colorado for the week of May 28 to June 3, 2025, have been released. These figures provide essential information to help farmers improve irrigation scheduling and apply water more efficiently.
The data was compiled by Nebraska Extension educator Gary Stone and Dr. Xin Qiao, an irrigation and water management specialist at the UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center in Scottsbluff. Their calculations consider various fields and climate conditions.
“Crop water use will vary across the Panhandle due to variations in ET, crop growth stage, temperature, soil type, wind and precipitation events.”
This means that every field might require different irrigation levels depending on the local environment and the specific stage of the crop's development. Factors like evapotranspiration (ET), soil type, and weather patterns such as wind and rainfall influence how much water is used by each crop.
These waters use estimates are especially important during early summer when crops are actively growing. Using the data, growers can avoid over- or under-watering and ensure better crop health, soil conservation, and efficient water management.
Understanding crop water use also supports sustainability efforts by helping producers conserve water in regions where it’s limited or expensive. Applying the right amount of water at the right time not only saves resources but also improves crop yields and reduces costs.
The weekly report is part of an ongoing effort to provide updated and region-specific irrigation guidance. The information is valuable for producers growing corn, wheat, beans, sugarbeets, and other common regional crops.
By staying informed through these crop water uses updates, agricultural producers in Nebraska and northeast Colorado can manage their resources more wisely while promoting responsible water use across their farms.
Photo Credit:gettyimages-eugenesergeev
Categories: Nebraska, Crops