September 25, 2002

LINCOLN, Neb. — Water availability is a major concern for farmers as they decide what crops to plant in 2003, a University of Nebraska cropping system specialist said.

With conditions in most of the state ranging from abnormally dry to exceptional drought and no way of predicting next year's soil moisture levels, farmers should consider when and how much water their crops will need, said Bob Klein, a cropping specialist at NU's West Central Research and Extension Center at North Platte.

"The catch to selecting 2003 crops will be water availability," he said. "If water levels are limited, it may not be a good idea to plant all acres to corn or soybeans. But even with water concerns, it's still important to select the highest producing and better performing hybrids and varieties because there isn't much difference between water use."

Many farmers are making planting decisions now for next year's crop to take advantage of early season discounts and improved hybrids and varieties, the NU Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources specialist said.

Planning for crops' water needs now is important for next year's crop because most reservoirs are at extremely low levels and soil moisture is nearly depleted in many areas.

"Water will be limited unless we have much higher than average rain and snow amounts this fall, winter and spring," he said.

If producers get water from an irrigation district, they also need to think about when their crops will need water.

"Yields will be limited if crops need water before or after it's available," he said. "This is why it's also a good idea to talk to crop insurance agents to check on coverage. Crop insurance agents can determine the coverage you will have on your irrigated acres. Producers may have to switch their plans if water delivery time and amount is not based on their needs."

Klein said producers with their own irrigation wells can help themselves by watering before planting.

"Pre-irrigation allows producers to build the soil moisture profile," he said. "It makes it easier to keep up with demands, especially with irrigation systems of limited capacity."

"We won't know specifics about soil moisture until planting season because hopefully the soil will be gaining moisture from rain and snow until then," he said.

With limited water supplies and limited irrigation systems, some farmers may want to consider planting a portion of their acres to winter wheat, Klein said. For example, if a pivot can only apply enough water on two-thirds of the field to keep up with corn's water use, producers could plant one-third of the field to wheat.

"If the wheat is taken to harvest and weeds are controlled in the fall, this helps build up soil moisture for the next crop, usually corn or grain sorghum, " he said.

Crop growers in southern Nebraska could consider planting sorghum.

"Sorghum can be beneficial because it uses less water and also waits for water better than corn," Klein said. "The key is to check with crop insurance agents and a Farm Service Agency before making changes."

No-till or reduced-till farming also is important this year, Klein said.

"Every producer should consider no-till farming because the crop residue helps reduce evaporation, traps snow and increases water infiltration rates," he said. "With every tillage operation, one-third to one-half inch of soil moisture is lost. Crop residue also helps control weeds."

Producers also should plan ahead for weed problems so they can be controled quickly to conserve moisture and reduce crop stress, he said.

09/25/02-AF

Bob Klein
Agronomy
Professor
(308) 696-6705

Sandi Alswager Karstens
IANR News and Photography
(402) 472-3030

Department: Agronomy & Horticulture