The Variable Rate Irrigation (VRI) Pilot Program is intended to provide landowner assistance for the design, installation, and technical support of Variable Rate Irrigation equipment which improves precision application of irrigation water from linear and center pivot systems. There are three types of VRI control: speed, zone, and nozzle. Speed control allows the pivot to speed up or slow down to vary application of water in a pie-type of management. Zone control allows the system to control sets of nozzles along the span to regulate water application. Nozzle control is similar to zone control except that each individual nozzle can be controlled.
Irrigation prescriptions are developed by documented, certified professionals. Prescriptions are calibrated according to soil type, topography, yield data, and other defined field conditions. Each irrigation prescription applies water according to the specific needs of each individual cell or quadrant of the pivot system. The Variable Rate Irrigation system will provide the most precise and efficient application of irrigation water.
Properly functioning and managed VRI systems can provide a variety of benefits such as:
- Lowering the frequency/severity of yield loss and/or stuck pivots due to over irrigation
- Increasing chemigation application efficiency
- Decreasing nitrate leaching due to over irrigation
- Decreasing pumping energy expenses
- Reduce irrigation application on hillslopes where runoff potential is high, on uncropped areas, and wetlands
The program described below is intended as a Pilot Program, and is subject to change.
Funding Availability
For approved VRI applications, the maximum cost-share rate is 50% of the current Nebraska NRCS EQIP rate (minus other cost-share funds), or 50% of the actual costs (minus other cost-share funds), whichever is less, up to $7,500. The minimum cost-share payment is $100. NRCS, NSWCP, and NRD funds will not be combined for any practice. During the initial phase of the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District Pilot VRI program, the amount of NRD funds will be set by the board of directors each fiscal year.
Eligible Cooperators:
- Only landowners are eligible.
- All linear and center pivot systems are eligible to apply for funding.
- The tract of land must have been irrigated four (4) out of the last five (5) years.
- The VRI system must have a minimum of 60 acres.
- No more than 10% of the land covered by the VRI system can be newly irrigated acres.
- A ranking sheet will be used to score each application.
- Final approval will be decided by the District’s Board of Director’s on a bi-monthly basis until funds are spent.
- During this pilot program, participation will be limited to one (1) VRI system per landowner.
Practice Requirements
- Prior to submitting an application:
- The VRI system must be designed by a certified pivot manufacturer, or certified VRI system provider.
- The VRI system designer must have determined that a VRI system will improve application of irrigation water.
- At the time of application: Complete design documents, cost estimates, and NSWCP-14 “Irrigation Water Management Practice Justification For Approval And Commitment By Landowner” form must accompany the application.
- The VRI system must cover a minimum of 60 acres.
- Upon completion of the practice: the applicant must submit copies of their VRI Prescription Map and EC data to the district. Applicants are also required to submit three (3) consecutive years of yield maps, and/or yield data, and irrigation scheduling reports. Failure to submit the above data is subject to funding reimbursement to the district.
VRI Components Eligible for Cost-Share Include:
- Costs eligible for reimbursement include: panel retrofit, tower boxes, valves, filters, tubing, mounting hardware, and *variable frequency drive (if included in a VRI system). *A variable frequency drive component alone, is not eligible.
- Data collection, analysis, and prescription mapping.
Approval Process
Approved applications will be notified in writing. Once approved, the applicant must call for an authorization number. Upon authorization, the applicant will have 90 days to complete the practice. After completion, final invoices and requested Prescription Map and EC data must be turned in to the NRCS for final payment. Any purchases of materials or services made prior to authorization are not eligible for funding.
Cost-Share Rate
The cost-share rate will be either 50% of the state average cost or 50% of the actual cost, whichever is less. Under the NRD's Land Treatment Program, the maximum cost-share is $7,500 per landowner per year, including all NSWCP and NRD cost-share received for the fiscal year.
2020 EQIP NRD 100% Price List:
Practice Code |
Practice Name |
Scenario |
Total Payment per Unit (100%) |
50% Rate |
442 |
Sprinkler Irrigation |
VRI System Retrofit Speed |
$3.43/ft |
$1.72/ft |
442 |
Sprinkler Irrigation |
VRI System Retrofit Zone |
$34.03/ft |
$17.02/ft |
533 |
Pumping Plant |
Variable Frequency Drive |
$5,455.54 / ea |
$2,727.77 / ea |
Systems/Areas that Might Benefit with Addition of VRI Wetlands Restoration and/or Management
VRI Zone Control (with or without VFD) to facilitate the restoration and/or management of wetland resources adjacent to cropland with a favorable irrigated land capability class.
Non-full Circles or Linear
VRI Speed Control to improve Irrigation Water Management of a sprinkler irrigation system that does not operate with 360 degrees of rotation – Example – half-swing or windshield wiper systems due to property boundaries or other physical barriers to complete system rotation.
Variable Soil Types
VRI Speed Control or VRI Zone Control (with or without VFD) to facilitate improved Irrigation Water Management and/or nutrient management on treatment of units with variability in soil types as determined by soil surveys or Electrical Conductivity mapping. Example – defined area of soils with a very high leaching potential, or high potential for soil erosion adjacent to soils with few limitations within the same treatment unit under a single sprinkler irrigation season.
Variable Topography
VRI Speed Control or VRI Zone Control (with or without VFD) to facilitate Improved Irrigation Water Management and/or nutrient management on treatment of units with variable topography. Examples – defined area of changing slopes with high runoff potential and/or high potential for soil erosion, or areas with depressions that experience run-on.
Non-Cropped Coverage
VRI Zone Control (with or without VFD) to facilitate improved Irrigation Water Management and/or nutrient management on systems that travel over non-cropped areas such as creeks, pastures, ponds, etc. Example – system with a drain or creek running through a portion of the field. Nozzles could be shut off as system crosses non-cropped areas.
Cropping Systems
VRI Zone Control or VRI Speed Control to facilitate diversity in cropping systems. Example – Corn/Soybean rotation with both crops grown in the same year under the same sprinkler irrigation system.