2012 Drought Drove Drilling Of More Than 1,000 New Irrigation Wells In Nebraska

[hatrack]

The count on new irrigation wells in Nebraska surged past the 1,000 mark for the first time in seven years in 2012, according to preliminary numbers provided by the Department of Natural Resources earlier this week.

The 1,105 new wells were the most registered with the state since 2005. The 2012 total was more than double the number added in 2009 or 2010 and more than 350 more than 2011.

An accompanying surge in prices for corn and soybeans is one likely cause. A blistering drought that settled over Nebraska and surrounding states last summer is another, said Dave Aiken, an agriculture and water law specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

“It’s a combination of drought and record commodity prices,” Aiken said Thursday. “If corn was $2 or $3 a bushel, we wouldn’t see as many wells, despite the drought.” A brisk well-drilling pace underscores the importance of irrigation in the nation’s leading irrigating state, especially when precipitation levels fall far below normal.

EDIT

http://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/nebraska/new-irrigation-wells-surged-in-drought-year/article_aa333aac-6093-5988-bd12-2803ac84509b.html

[newfie11]

1. In my area of far western NE panhandle

New irrigation wells cannot be drilled but you can if your irrigation well goes dry.

We irrigate with ditch water from WY MTs. This year those reservoirs are only 60%.
a limit of 70 irrigation days using 14" per acre.

Mean while farms are selling at high prices. I am thinking it is time to sell the farm.

[hatrack]

2. What are prices for farmland like out there? I've seen Iowa corn land at or near $10,000/acre

Am assuming irrigation rights can be transferred, but don' t know that for real.

[newfie11]

3. I have seen anywhere from $5000 to 10,000/acre

That's irrigated and yes the irrigation rights go with the property.

One little 2 bedroom older home about 4 miles from us sold at the asking price$225.000. It had only 3 acres and not irrigated.

3 miles from us a 3 bedroom home on 80 acres irrigated sold for $800,000 and they are now installing a pivot. It was gravity irrigated before.

Both places sold in the first month after listing.

These prices won't last I bet and then we have a farm bubble.

[phantom power]

4. keep the stone heads coming

[GliderGuider]

5. Here ya go...

[Nihil]

6. "Say, you know how you can still be thirsty when you drink through a straw ...?

... How's about we put two straws in? That'll make things so much better!"

Some people need to start learning about the concept of "fossil water" ...