Irrigation Management

Many new tools are available for irrigators that can help them reduce their water use while maintaining yields.  Nebraska Extension in Colfax County can offer information and assistance to producers interested in utilizing new technology to better manage their irrigation.  Cost share is available from the following Natural Resource Districts in Colfax County:
    

 

Colfax County Evapotranspiration Data (ET)

There are several sites and cooperators with ET Gages in Colfax County.  Weekly evapotranspiration data is available from the NAWMN ETGage website.

Irrigation Apps

  CropWater

The University of Nebraska–“Lincoln Extension Crop Water App was developed at the request of Nebraska Agricultural Water Management Network (NAWMN) participants. This app provides an easy way to estimate soil water status based on Watermark sensors. Users have the option to input readings for sensors installed at depths of 1, 2, 3 and 4 feet. With these sensor readings, the CropWater App will estimate the amount of water used from the soil profile, as well as what is still available. You can view historic sensor readings and graphs and can also pin your GPS location for the fields. A new feature is the last irrigation calculator which allows users to input crop growth stage and sensor values and will help determine how much irrigation or rainfall is needed. Available for Apple and Android devices with an introductory video avaiable on YouTube.

            

 IrrigationPump

The Irrigation Pumping Plant Efficiency Calculator developed by Nebraska Extension calculates pumping plant's efficiency powered by diesel, electricity, gasoline, natural gas, or propane. It also can estimate potential savings of system upgrades or adjustments. This app is
based upon the Nebraska Pumping Plant Performance Criteria (NPPPC), a standard used by irrigation design engineers worldwide. Defining the original criteria involved manufacturers, Nebraska Tractor Test data, and field evaluations of pumping installations.
Available for Apple and Android devices with an introductory video avaiable on YouTube.

             

  IrrigationCost

This Nebraska Extension Agriculture Irrigation Costs App computes the annualized costs of owning and operating an irrigation system. A number of management decisions are based on the annualized costs of owning and operating an irrigation system. Before developing land for irrigation, the first decision should be to determine whether the irrigation system will be economically feasible. In other words, will the net income from increased yields achieved by irrigation development exceed the added costs of owning and operating the system over its expected life? The IrrigateCost app models center pivot and gated pipe irrigation systems and the most commonly used energy sources. The app is also useful for determining a fair lease agreement when using a pivot to water a neighbor's field. Available for Apple and Android devices with an introductory video avaiable on YouTube.

           

  Water Meter Calc

The Nebraska Extension Water Meter Calculator App will help you calculate the number of inches of irrigation water applied over a given time and can apply it to your yearly and multi-year allocation caps. The app will calculate the amount of water applied to each respective field over the given time period. Available for Apple and Android devices with an introductory video avaiable on YouTube.