Ai-powered irrigation management app for the western corn belt
An advanced AI-driven mobile/web app designed to optimize irrigation under water allocation constraints for farmers in the western Corn Belt. It integrates multiple data sources to provide real-time, actionable recommendations, enabling sustainable water use and increased profitability.
Overview
This innovative AI-powered mobile and web application is designed to help farmers in the western Corn Belt optimize their irrigation strategies under water allocation constraints. By integrating farmer-provided data, weather projections, and extensive research-based knowledge, this app delivers real-time, actionable irrigation recommendations. Unlike traditional tools, it empowers farmers to simulate alternative allocation strategies and explore regulated deficit irrigation and diverse cropping system options, all through a user-friendly interface.
Technical specifications
- AI-driven recommendations: Utilizes a sophisticated AI model trained on extensive datasets, including eight years of UNL TAPS program data.
- Integration capabilities: Combines farmer inputs, weather forecasts, and open-access research data.
- User-friendly interaction: Allows farmers to interact using natural language queries to optimize water use efficiently.
- Simulation tools: Provides capabilities to simulate different water allocation strategies and cropping options.
Technology readiness level
The technology has achieved a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6. It has been validated through preliminary tests, achieving significant irrigation efficiency and yield results. The app will undergo further validation through participation in real-world TAPS competitions across multiple states, ensuring readiness for rapid deployment and adoption.
About University of Nebraska, Lincoln
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a comprehensive public research university and the flagship campus of the University of Nebraska system, combining land-grant reach with a collaborative, industry-engaged culture. A research and technology park adjacent to campus provides modern wet and dry labs, greenhouses, offices, and conferencing, enabling companies to co-locate with faculty and access shared equipment and pilot environments. A statewide extension network links university expertise with producers and communities, creating rapid pathways for field trials, demonstrations, and workforce pipelines. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from NSF, USDA, DOE, and NIH. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, agreements, and startup formation with industry-friendly terms.
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