Introducing weekly crop water use reports for irrigation scheduling
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EmailWeekly crop water use reports provide irrigators with data-driven recommendations on the amount of irrigation water needed to meet crop water demands and support efficient irrigation scheduling decisions.
Understanding crop water requirements is essential for maximizing agricultural productivity while improving both water and energy use efficiency. To support irrigators in making informed irrigation decisions, Michigan State University Extension is pleased to offer weekly crop water use reports.
These reports provide estimated crop evapotranspiration (ETc) values calculated using reference evapotranspiration (ETr) and crop-specific coefficients for different growth stages following the FAO-56 single crop coefficient approach. Crop-specific coefficients can be found in Crop’s Root Development and Crop Coefficient page. Currently available for three representative irrigated locations in Michigan, the reports help irrigators better understand crop water use and determine appropriate irrigation timing and application amounts.
Previously included in the weekly southwest Michigan field crops updates, the crop water use reports are now also available through text message and email subscriptions, making them easier to access at no cost. You can subscribe here.
Reports are also posted weekly on the Crop Water Use page of the MSU Extension Irrigation website. If you would like to request the inclusion of a region not currently covered in the reports, please contact Angie Gradiz at gradizme@msu.edu.
|
Crop |
Growth stage |
Constantine |
Entrican |
Hart |
|
Reference ET |
1.34 |
1.39 |
1.40 |
|
|
Corn |
V2 |
0.13 |
0.14 |
0.14 |
|
Corn |
V4 |
0.24 |
0.25 |
0.25 |
|
Soybeans |
VC |
0.13 |
0.14 |
0.14 |
|
Soybeans |
V1 |
0.27 |
0.28 |
0.28 |
|
Soybeans |
V2 |
0.54 |
0.56 |
0.56 |
|
Potato |
Early vegetation |
0.67 |
0.70 |
0.70 |
|
Potato |
Tuberization |
1.34 |
1.39 |
1.40 |
It is important to note that the crop water use values presented in these reports assume that all applied water is effectively used by the crop without losses. Irrigators should also consider recent precipitation, soil conditions and local weather forecasts when using these estimates for irrigation scheduling decisions.
The reference evapotranspiration data used in these calculations are sourced from MSU Enviroweather, which also provides tools for estimating potential crop evapotranspiration. Users can access the tool by selecting their crop, nearest Enviroweather station and desired date range.
For additional tools and information on irrigation scheduling, please refer to “Irrigation Scheduling Tools.”
For more information about irrigation, resources are available on the MSU Extension Irrigation website.
