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Nebraska’s Advantage – Water
Nebraska is with water. We have extensive aquifer systems under the entire state and more than 80,000 miles of rivers and streams, which is the most miles of rivers and streams of any state in the lower U.S.!
Water is the lifeblood of agriculture and Nebraska is in a blessed position. We have plentiful water for irrigation, in fact Nebraska is the number one state in the U.S. for irrigated acres and our Midwest location means that we get good rainfall. Put that all together and our agriculture system is rainfed with irrigation to supplement dryer times.
In livestock production, especially dairy, having high quality and consistent feedstuffs is critical to consistent output. With our rainfed+irrigated cropping system Nebraska farmers produce high quality feed at a consistent level year after year.
The state of Nebraska overlays the High Plains or Ogallala Aquifer. While much of the national news about the High Plains aquifer has been very negative it is not the whole story. The Nebraska part of the story is that the Nebraska aquifer remains at basically the same level as when irrigation began in the 1950s. That is an incredible feat, one that is unmatched by any of the states that we share the High Plains aquifer with. Our goal with the Nebraska share of the aquifer is long term sustainability.
The management of Nebraska’s aquifers is delegated to our local Natural Resource Districts (NRDs) to ensure the water is used in a manner that is sustainable. The NRDs are continuously monitoring groundwater levels and making policy recommendations that ensure we have water for irrigation but also ensures the long-term viability of the aquifers. The NRDs take a long view of the ups and downs of the water level which allows pumping more water on dry years which is balanced by less pumping on wet years. This system of governance, which is by locally elected boards, is very flexible for the benefit of agricultural production.
In Nebraska we value our Good Life. We know that the sustainability of our state is tied to the sustainability of the Nebraska Aquifer. As the dairy industry grows in Nebraska, we have the feed, the people, and the water to make new dairy growth a success now and far into the future.
If interested in learning more about dairying in Nebraska contact AFAN at becomeAFAN.org or call 402.421.4472.
NEBRASKA
LAND.WATER.OPPORTUNITY.
#1 In irrigated acres
The High Plains Aquifer under Nebraska has 5X the amount of water as Lake Erie
Ground Water is managed by local Natural Resource Districts with a long term goal of sustainablity
Picture provided by University of Nebraska at Lincoln
