University of Idaho receives USDA grant to support irrigation decisions

Researchers at the University of Idaho have received funds through a rapid response grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture to develop free tools for agricultural irrigators. The funds will help finalize an online dashboard that houses the tools to help irrigators make crop and water-management decisions when supplies are limited.  

Growers will enter information including location, crop, planting date, irrigation method, system capacity and anticipated water reductions into the platform. The tools will combine that information with historical weather and soil data to compare crop water demand with available supplies throughout the growing season.  

The goal is to help producers evaluate potential yield impacts, anticipate water deficits and determine which crop combinations could reduce financial risk. The dashboard will be linked to the Extension website and is expected to be live before the 2027 planting season begins.