By Scout Nelson
Nebraska, home to a significant portion of the U.S.'s largest aquifer, heavily relies on groundwater for both drinking and irrigation. With around 60% of its vast agricultural fields requiring irrigation, the state tops the U.S. in irrigated acres. The sustainability of this groundwater is becoming a concern, especially in the semiarid western regions, where significant losses have been observed.
Key to managing this precious resource is understanding crop evapotranspiration - the process combining evaporation and water loss through plant transpiration. Researchers traditionally use reference crop values and coefficients to estimate this for various crops, including corn and soybean, crucial to Nebraska's agriculture.
Understanding winter range protein and energy levels is crucial for determining the right supplementation level. Farmers should evaluate protein supplements based on cost and nutritional value. Setting a targeted gain rate helps determine calf's dietary requirements. Consulting with extension field specialists can ensure these requirements are met effectively.
Recognizing this discrepancy, researchers from the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, including Ivo Gonçalves, propose adjusting these coefficients for corn and soybean under high evapotranspiration conditions.
Such a revision could lead to more accurate irrigation requirements, ensuring efficient water use. This adjustment has the potential to conserve groundwater, save energy, and reduce agricultural runoff, all while maintaining crop yields.
Adopting these revised coefficients could be a game-changer in agricultural water management. This approach not only aligns with sustainable farming practices but also addresses the challenges posed by climate variability and water scarcity. As Nebraska looks to the future, these findings could significantly influence how water is managed in its vast agricultural landscapes.
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Categories: Nebraska, Sustainable Agriculture