Water for Generations
NEWBA
Nebraska Water Balance Alliance
NEWBA Events
Producers promote ag advancements
The Nebraska Water Balance Alliance recently honored participants in their demonstration project. Those pictured at the Low to High Tech Solutions workshop include: (Back row) Joe Wahlgren of Brady, Amanda Johnson of Hayes Center, Shawn Turner of Grant, Zack Paulman of Sutherland, Roric Paulman of Sutherland, Larry Umberger (Manager of Midwest Electric Cooperative Corporation at Grant), (Front row): Jim Kemlling of Grant, Dan Nelsen of Moorefield, Joe Larson of Loomis, Ted Tietjen (who was the project coordinator), Roy Cole of the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture and Brandon Biesemeier of Haxtun, Colorado.
Real Farmers-Real Experiences
Field Day
hosted by Paulman Farms and NEWBA
AUGUST 3-4, 2015
Paulman Farms, Sutherland, NE
Over 200 people attended this two day event at Paulman Farms south of Sutherland NE to see leading edge irrigation management technologies on a working farm.
Real time data generated on actual farms could be seen at vendor stations. Farmers using this technology shared an unvarnished appraisal of what works and what needs to be improved for widespread adoption.
Speakers included a panel discussing future directions for water management from a local producer level to a global perspective.
Managers from 7 Natural Resource Districts shared the unique challenges they face in their particular river basins and the strategies being implemented to address these challenges.
This event was a team effort made possible through partnerships with 15 sponsors and 21 vendors.
Soil Moisture Probe workshop
hosted by NCTA - NEWBA
FEBRUARY 19, 2015
Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture
Curtis, NE
This successful event attracted 140 participants including producers, students, agronomists, vendors and NRD/NRCS representatives. This practical, hands-on workshop included discussion of the importance of tracking soil moisture, understanding water movement in the soil, and residue management.
Breakout sessions gave attendees the opportunity to see the actual equipment and learn more about the data that is available to growers from several different probe vendors.
CLICK HERE to view the in-depth participant manual cooperatively produced by NCTA, West Central Research & Extension Center (UNL) and Central Nebraska Public Power & Irrigation District.
Panel Discussion-The importance of soil moisture monitoring
(From left to right: Dr. Brad Ramsdale (NCTA), Steve Melvin (Lindsay Irrigation), Chuck Burr (West Central Research and Extension - UNL), Jacob Fritton (Western Irrigation Project), Roric Paulman (Paulman Farms and NEWBA Chair)
Real Farmers-Real Experiences
Grower Symposium
On March 2, 2015 the annual Grower Symposium was held in North Platte to share the results from the NEWBA demonstration project. Twelve growers, from the center of the state to the Panhandle, have been a part of this 4 year on-farm research project testing technologies that provide real time data to better manage irrigation on their farms.
Topics discussed by the participating growers included ways to design effective irrigation systems, tactics for irrigating sandy soils, better management of residue and nutrients and utilizing on-farm weather stations.
Extensive data gathered at each of the farms was presented at the Symposium along with a report of key findings.
CLICK HERE to access the data results from the project
CLICK HERE to read the project report with conclusions from Project Coordinator, Ted Tietjen
Ag/Urban Round Table
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In December 2014, NEWBA sponsored a meeting of key water leaders and interested citizens in York NE to discuss how ag and urban interests could find ways to increase overall understanding and improve cooperative efforts toward finding long-term water solutions.
Similar round table discussions are being planned for Lincoln and Omaha areas. For more information, or to become involved in this effort, contact NEWBA Board Member Steve Masters @ stevemasterspe@gmail.com
Click HERE to read the meeting notes from this gathering.
2014 Summer Water Summit
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The NEWBA Water Summit was held at the Monsanto Water Learning Center in Gothenburg on July 24, 2014. Many different water interests came together to learn more about promising grass-roots water solutions.
Click on the links below to review presentations/ideas shared:
2014 Winter Grower Symposium
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In January 2014, growers, vendors, partners, and agencies came together to hear results of the 2013 Water for Generations project and join the discussion about future directions. The Symposium facilitates grower-to-grower idea exchange. It also helps vendors, regulators, and other partners better understand potential producer-driven water solutions.
To find out more, CLICK on the links below:
Paulman Farms Field Day
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Roric Paulman has been involved in the NEWBA organization and in our Water for Generations projects since they began. At the August 20, 2013 Field Day, a diverse group of folks came together to see how precision agriculture and innovative water management techniques are being practically applied to reduce pumping and improve yields.