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Agriculture

New Irrigation Decision Support Application Aids Agricultural Productivity and Water Conservation

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Agricultural experts have developed a innovative irrigation decision support application, CornSoyWater, which utilizes real-time weather data, field-specific soil and crop management details, and crop simulations to provide precise irrigation recommendations. Currently operating across ten western U.S. Corn Belt states, the application has been validated by field data and has gained the support of Nebraska agricultural educators, with over a thousand registered users. By utilizing the CornSoyWater application, irrigators can optimize water resources, increase productivity, and reduce production costs.

Key Takeaways:

  • The CornSoyWater application uses real-time weather data and forecasts, field-specific soil and crop management details, and crop simulations to provide irrigation recommendations.
  • The application visualizes the user's fields on Google Maps, indicating irrigation needs with color-coded icons.
  • CornSoyWater operates across ten western U.S. Corn Belt states and has been validated by field data.
  • The application has been highly promoted by Nebraska agricultural educators.
  • Over a thousand registered users have accessed the CornSoyWater application.
  • The application enables irrigators to better utilize water resources, increase productivity, and reduce production costs.
  • CornSoyWater has been supported by financial contributors from Nebraska Soybean Board, Nebraska Corn Board, National Science Board, and Nebraska Center For Energy Sciences Research.
  • The application has been developed by a team of researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Statistics:

  • 10 western U.S. Corn Belt states where CornSoyWater operates.
  • 1,000+ registered users of the CornSoyWater application.
  • 100% field validation of the application's accuracy.
  • 2025: the year in which the research was conducted.
  • 313: the journal issue number for Agricultural Water Management.
  • 109454: the unique identifier for the journal article "CornSoyWater, a web application for irrigation decision support on corn and soybean".

Sources:

  • CornSoyWater, a web application for irrigation decision support on corn and soybean. Agricultural Water Management, 2025, 313(): 109454. (https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2025.109454)
  • University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture.
  • NewsRx. Study Results from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Provide New Insights into Agriculture (CornSoyWater, a web application for irrigation decision support on corn and soybean). Agriculture Week. May 15, 2025; p 608.
  • CornSoyWater (http://cornsoywater.unl.edu)

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