This is Nevin Price with the UNWNRD and this is the Crop Water Use Report for the week of May 23, 2016 to May 30, 2016

New for the 2016 crop water use report!  Millet and Sunflowers have been added to the list of crops as well as the addition of a soil moisture report.  Also, for 2016, we have added six new ET gages to the district for reporting bringing the total to 12. Thank you to all producers who have volunteered to help with the crop water use.

Average use by wheat was 1.32 inches.

Projected use by wheat for this week is 1.65 inches.

Average use by corn was .12 inches.

Projected use by corn for this week is .27 inches.

Average use by potatoes was .12 inches.

Projected use by potatoes for this week is .20 inches.

Average use by mature alfalfa was 1.2 inches.

Projected use by mature alfalfa for this week is 1.5 inches.

Average use by lawns was 1.3 inches.

Projected use by lawns for this week is 1.6 inches.

The average ET gage reading was 1.2 inches.

The average rainfall across the district was .56 inches.

Rain data came from http://nerain.dnr.ne.gov/NeRAIN/index.asp

In the last week soil moisture monitoring station 1 showed 50% water available at 12”, 75% water available at 24”, and 50% water available at 36”.  The producer applied 0 inches through irrigation.  Remember this is in a Loamy Sand soil type with Corn planted and will vary depending on site specific; weather, irrigation management, topography, management practices, crop, and soil type.  

Weather forecasts for next week shows a warming trend with little to no chance for precipitation so use is expected to be up.  

The crop water use report is completed using the average growth stage for each crop and ET gage reading from across the district. To find the conversion your specific crop growth stage visit https://nawmn.unl.edu/GrowthStageData .  

For more information or to inquire about ET gages or soil moisture monitoring equipment, please contact Nevin Price at the Upper Niobrara White Natural Resources District at 308.432.6190 or visit our website at www.unwnrd.org.  We are committed to helping Nebraskans conserve and protect groundwater.