A water conference at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is focusing on the impacts of last year’s drought, how it compares to past droughts and what to do going forward to minimize the impact on agriculture and water.

UNL Vice Chancellor Dr. Ronnie Green says the use of technology and practices has helped producers weather the drought and in some cases, thrive.

“Irrigators are using much more sophisticated irrigation techniques than we used a decade ago, than we used 15 years ago,” Green says. “Use of soil moisture monitoring and recording to better anticipate actual water needs.”

Green says researchers and producers need to adapt to a changing climate.

“We’re going to have to continue to build and improve our technologies and best use of those technologies in the field in order to be able to meet the targets that are out there ahead with what could be more variability in the climate,” Green says.

Green says by targeting water usage and employing the best management practices, farmers are able to get the most use of their inputs while conserving water and being able to get good yields.

The three-day event wraps up today. It’s being co-sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation along with the University of Nebraska Lincoln’s Water for Food Institute.

By Jerry Oster, WNAX, Yankton

Last week’s rare May snowstorm was a close call for many fruit growers across the Husker State.

Eric Olson, a manager at the Kimmel Orchard and Vineyard in Nebraska City, says the lowest temperature they recorded was 32-degrees, which had little impact.

Olson says a few degrees colder and the orchard could have been in serious trouble.

“At those stages, if it gets down to 28 degrees, you lose about 10% of your crop but if it drops down to 25 degrees, you would lose 90% of your crop.”

Olson says he was the most concerned about the peach trees, which are almost all in full bloom.

The orchard grows apples, cherries, pears, peaches, plums, grapes and a few other crops.

By Nate Gonner, KNCY, Nebraska City

All of the recent rain and snow is a big help in overcoming moisture deficits from last year’s devastating drought, but there are many indications the drought is lingering.

Tom Moser, general manager of the Lewis and Clark Natural Resource District, says he’s been monitoring wells across northeast Nebraska for several weeks.

“The measurements I’ve taken so far show that there has been some recharge, but not significant,” Moser says. “In some cases, I was really surprised that the water table was actually lower this spring than it was last fall on at least four or five wells.”

Moser encourages all irrigators in the region to track how much water they’re pumping.

“We want to make sure that the people who do irrigate keep close tabs on how many gallons they use,” Moser says. “We’d like to have them have flow meters so that they know accurately how much water they’re using.”

Moser says they will be putting in additional monitoring wells to watch water use as the warmer months of summer approach.

By Jerry Oster, WNAX, Yankton