Water & Cropping Systems Laboratory

grains    corn stalk

The West Central Water Resources Field Laboratory near Brule, Nebraska will help the University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers, faculty, staff and students conduct research, demonstrations and teach water conserving methods in cropping and livestock systems of western Nebraska.  The laboratory offers the opportunity to look for methods to use water most efficiently while being most profitable.

Since purchasing the 1280-acre farm for the laboratory in 2007, UNL continues several long-term research projects, and each year, additional projects are started to address specific research questions.   With water being one of Nebraska’s most valuable natural resources, the site offers both livestock and cropping systems research under limited types of water management.

The Water Resources Laboratory is in as area of the state where there are lower amounts of precipitation.  It allows for research and demonstration on land with soils that are similar to those covering a large area of southwest and south-central Nebraska and near the Upper and Middle Republican Natural Resource Districts where farmers already face limits on water use.

Types of research conducted by faculty and graduate students includes:

  • Nutrient management research
  • Seed company trials looking at drought tolerant corn varieties
  • Wheat trials and skip row trials
  • Irrigation practices and cropping production, while conserving water
  • Integrated pest management in field crops
  • Herbicide application and testing

Cropping Systems Research Summary 2020

                 Agroecosystems Entomology Project Research Reports

Weed Science Research Summary 2020

                 Weed Control, Chemical Usage and Spray Drift

Cropping Systems Research Summary 2019

                Agroecosystems Entomology Project Research Reports

                Soybean and Soygreen Research Reports   

Weed Science Research Summary 2019

                Weed Control and Spray Drift

                Progress Report of PhD Student regarding Weed Control