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Water use allocations make sense for Nebraska’s future generations

Saturday, October 21, 2023

Isn’t Nebraska something? Whether you were born and bred here, or were lucky enough to move into the area, you learn pretty fast that there’s a lot to love about the Cornhusker State. Two of the things that make our state special are our abundance of natural resources an...

Deadline approaching for Natural Resource Conservation Funds

Saturday, October 7, 2023

LINCOLN — Farmers and ranchers interested in preventing erosion, improving soil health, conserving water and wildlife or making other natural resource conservation improvements to their property may apply for funding available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture N...

Clean Diesel Rebate Applications accepted through Dec. 7, 2023

Wednesday, October 4, 2023 to Friday, December 8, 2023

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy’s 2023 Clean Diesel Rebate Program is now accepting applications for agricultural irrigation pump diesel engine replacements. Applications must be submitted to NDEE by Dec. 7, 2023, to be considered.The Cl...

NRD PROVIDES TOOL FOR ACCURATE WATER USE ON CROPS

Monday, July 17, 2023

With irrigation season in full swing, it’s important having all the tools and information available to help determine how much water is needed to keep crops going and conserve water as area producers roll into the new 2023-2027 allocation period.The Upper Republican NRD ha...

Automated flowmeters assist irrigators

Thursday, June 22, 2023

The tools help NRDs and producers better track irrigation efficiency and water utilization.Water is on the top of every producer’s mind this year, especially among irrigators.One way that Nebraska works to better conserve water is through the work of Natural Resources Dist...

Nebraska lawmakers endorse $575 million Perkins County canal project

Thursday, May 4, 2023

Martha StoddardMay 4, 2023LINCOLN — Plans to build a $574.5 million canal-and-reservoir system to draw water from the South Platte River got a vote of approval from Nebraska lawmakers Thursday.Senators rejected a proposal to scale back the canal project, with 32 senators v...

NDEE Extends Private Well Reverse Osmosis Rebate Program

Thursday, April 13, 2023

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) has extended the Private Well Reverse Osmosis Rebate Program.The initial application period opened January 1, 2023 and closed March 31, 2023. Upon reaching the initial close date of March 31, 2023, NDEE received 92 app...

NEW FIVE-YEAR NRD RULES GO INTO EFFECT NEXT MONTH

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

JAN SCHULTZ, THE IMPERIAL REPUBLICANBoard members of the Upper Republican NRD approved the district’s water rules for the next five years.The action came at Tuesday’s regular board meeting on an 11-0 vote.The adopted rules will be in effect in the upcoming irrigation sea...

DNR: Perkins County Canal found feasible, but route study hardly begun

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Todd von KampenNorth Platte Telegraph – March 28, 2023Keith County residents shouldn’t read too much from a map in a state-ordered feasibility study showing a possible Perkins County Canal route in Nebraska, according to three state and local natural resources officials.

Proposed NRD Rules Changes Go To Hearing

Monday, February 13, 2023

Proposed changes to water-use regulations including the 2023-2027 allocation will have a public hearing on March 14 before a final vote by the Upper Republican NRD Board of Directors.The proposal from the board that will have a public hearing at 9 a.m. on the 14th includes a...

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Regional/National Water News

Scientists propose irrigation improvements

05/26/2021

With threats of water scarcity complicating the need to feed a growing global population, it is more important than ever to get crop irrigation right. Overwatering can deplete local water supplies and lead to polluted runoff, while underwatering can lead to sub-optimal crop...Read more

Rising levels of nitrates still contaminating groundwater

03/15/2021

Nitrate levels in Nebraska’s groundwater are on the rise, especially in portions of Northeast Nebraska. The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) has analyzed the nitrate data gathered as part of the routine Groundwater Quality Sampling Program and found some...Read more

Report: Burst pipe at Mead ethanol plant leads to discharge of waste

02/18/2021

Chris Dunker A frozen pipe burst at the AltEn ethanol plant near Mead early Friday morning, causing waste to spill out of the property and onto a neighboring University of Nebraska-Lincoln research center site. Staff at the Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center,...Read more

More Farmers Are Planting Cover Crops Thanks To State Incentive Programs

02/10/2021

By DANA CRONIN • JAN 29, 2021 Last month, the Illinois Department of Agriculture opened applications for its second annual Fall Covers for Spring Savings Program -- which provides a crop insurance discount for each acre of cover crop a farmer plants. It filled up in less...Read more

Research shows grazing cover crops can add economic value

01/18/2021

By KAY LEDBETTER Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Growing dual-purpose wheat for both grazing and grain production is an important agricultural practice in the Southern Great Plains. But of late, more Texas Rolling Plains producers want to know if alternative systems to...Read more

Contract approved for flood mitigation evaluation

12/25/2020

Melanie Wilkinson YORK – The York City Council has agreed to enter into a contract with JEO Consulting Group which will now do a flood mitigation evaluation for the city. This goal of the study is to eventually reduce the size and number of flood plain designations in the...Read more

California Water Futures Begin Trading Amid Fear of Scarcity

12/06/2020

Water joined gold, oil and other commodities traded on Wall Street, highlighting worries that the life-sustaining natural resource may become scarce across more of the world. Farmers, hedge funds and municipalities alike are now able to hedge against -- or bet on -- future...Read more

U.S. agricultural water use declining for most crops and livestock production

11/16/2020

By Marianne Stein URBANA, Ill. – Climate change and a growing world population require efficient use of natural resources. Water is a crucial component in food production, and water management strategies are needed to support worldwide changes in food consumption and...Read more

Ogallala Aquifer’s shallowness has meant growers have to adjust

07/25/2020

Editor's Note The following is excerpted notes from Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Director of Communications Bob Kjelland who visited with Timothy Pautler, a third-generation family farmer and irrigator who lives at Stratton, Colorado, and serves on multiple boards and he...Read more

Emerald Ash Borer confirmed in Kearney

06/29/2020

by KHGI KEARNEY, Neb. — Emerald ash borer (EAB) has been confirmed in Kearney by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Kearney Park and Recreation staff discovered the tree on a street terrace, according to the NDA. The...Read more