IMPERIAL, Neb. – Cost-share funds that pay for up to two-thirds of the cost of soil moisture probes are available from the Upper Republican NRD.

The NRD is now accepting applications from ag producers/landowners in Chase, Dundy and Perkins Counties to receive cost share for up to four soil moisture probes used in 2017.

The program will help pay for 2/3 of the cost of either leasing or buying probes. The 2/3 cost share provided by the NRD is capped at $1,300 per probe for the 2017 growing season. Cost share can be used on all services related to the probe. For example, the telemetry that electronically relays information from probes to home computers or smart phones is eligible for cost share.

The deadline to apply for cost-share is May 31. Funds will be obligated on a first come, first serve basis but if applications for funding exceeds available funding preference will be given to those who have not received probe cost share from the NRD previously.

Using the probes and following irrigation scheduling recommendations that they offer has been demonstrated to reduce water use by about 2” per acre. Since the NRD began offering cost share for probes in 2012, producers have used the programs to install probes on more than 40,000 acres in the District.

There are no restrictions on what types of soil-moisture probes can be used, but the probes must be used within the Upper Republican NRD.

To apply for cost-share, get an application form from the URNRD website at www.urnrd.org or pick one up at the office at 511 East Fifth St. in Imperial. Completed forms can be dropped off at the office, mailed to the office at Upper Republican NRD, PO Box 1140, Imperial, NE 69033, scanned and emailed to natejenkins@urnrd.org, or faxed to 308-882-4521.