Management practices such as constructing terrace systems will help to conserve water, decrease pollutants, and control erosion. Installing surge valves, flow meters, soil moisture sensors, and rain-fall automatic shut-off valves can also help to conserve water. They let the producer know when the soil is adequately watered or shut off the water in the event of rainfall, thus saving water.
The list below has links to these and other BMPs.
Tilling
Planting
Irrigation
Nutrient Management
Other BMPs
Each state associated with the Republican River Basin has programs, sources and information relating to BMPs for that specific region. To see some of these resources, check out the state specific information below.
Colorado
The Water Information Program provides information on agriculture and irrigation management. Other information pertaining to water users can be found at the Colorado Division of Water Resources. You can also visit Colorado State University Extension to learn more about insect management, farming, natural resources and other agriculture-related information.
The Kansas Water Office and Kansas State Conservation Commission are two relevant agencies in Kansas that have beneficial conservation information available to assist producers. Other useful publications can be found at Kansas State University Research and Extension, where subjects include irrigation and livestock management, soil conservation, and riparian area restoration.
Nebraska
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has developed a website that focuses solely on water. Information is available regarding farming techniques, household water usage, drought, and more. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Office also provides an abundance of information for producers. To see a list of publications from UNL Extension pertaining to irrigation management, click here. They also have publications related to conservation and management practices such as tillage and spray techniques that are beneficial to conserving resources.
Other Agriculture Management Resources
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
Several programs are available to assist producers in managing and conserving their natural resources. The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program(CREP) has been in effect since April 2005. It is a program of the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Services Agency. CREP’s goals are to improve water quality and quantity, and create and restore wildlife habitat by converting irrigated cropland to non-irrigated habitat.
Environmental Quality Incentive Program
The Natural Resources Conservation Service website houses information about another program that is available to assist producers. The Environmental Quality Incentives Programs (EQIP) main goal is to provide a voluntary conservation program for farmers and ranchers that promotes both agricultural production and environmental quality. EQIP offers financial and technical help to assist eligible participants install or implement structural and management practices on eligible agricultural land.
Cattle near Chadron, Nebraska. Photo courtesy of Jeff Nothwehr.