Loren Lippincott
Growing up on a farm with irrigated acres, summertime meant lots of work with siphon tubes, open ditches and later, gated irrigation pipes. “Changing water” meant constantly making the rounds to move siphon tubes or open and close gates on irrigation pipes. It truly was a round-the-clock operation. When we got a center pivot irrigation system in 1971, it greatly reduced our workload.
Nebraska is the world’s leader in center pivot irrigation manufacturing. Four Nebraska companies make up most of this industry and their products are shipped worldwide!
Nebraska also leads the nation in irrigated acres. Nearly 15 percent of our ag land is irrigated. Because of our plentiful groundwater and flat topography, before center pivots became commonplace, Central City was known as the pump irrigation center of the world. We had more irrigation pumps per acre than any place on earth. When I was growing up, if we received enough rain to turn the pumps off for a few days, it was a time of pure joy!
Our state has vast cornfields, soybean acres, wheat, sorghum, hay production and a thriving cattle industry, so timely rainfall is a lifeline for farmers and ranchers. A single inch of rain delivers profound agronomic and financial advantages in this semi-arid to sub-humid region, where irrigation from the Ogallala Aquifer supplements natural precipitation but comes at a steep cost.
One inch of rain equates to 27,000 gallons of water per acre (weighing in at over 113 tons) and applies a substantial and even distribution of moisture directly to the soil. For row crops like corn and soybeans which dominate Nebraska’s planted acres (over 9 million for corn and 5 million for soybeans), this moisture recharges soil profiles during critical growth stages such as tasseling, silking or pod-filling. Adequate rainfall reduces plant stress, enhances photosynthesis, and promotes robust root development, leading to higher yields. In dry-land or rain-fed systems, it can mean the difference between stunted growth and optimal productivity. Natural rain decreases the need for supplemental irrigation, preserving groundwater resources and extending the life of irrigation infrastructure.
For ranchers, the benefits extend to forage and pasture lands. Ranch-land makes up 48 percent of the ag land in Nebraska and our expansive grasslands support beef production, the state’s top agricultural commodity. A one-inch rain revives dormant grasses and alfalfa, boosting hay and pasture quality. Healthier forage translates to better weight gain in grazing cattle, reduced supplemental feed costs and lower veterinary expenses from improved animal nutrition. In drought-prone western Nebraska, such rains help mitigate wildfire risks and sustain rangeland health over the long term.
Ag people are familiar with the colloquialism “million-dollar rain,” which is the term used for a rain that is well-timed, gentle and soaks in an inch or more of life-giving water during a crucial phase of crop development. Such a rain is well-named since its financial impacts are significant. Irrigation is expensive and can run hundreds of dollars per acre annually. A timely inch of rain can save farmers $50 or more per acre in fuel and water expenses, depending on conditions. Higher yields from relieved moisture stress directly increase revenue. For corn, even modest yield bumps of 10 bushels per acre at prevailing prices add substantial income across thousands of acres. Soybeans and wheat follow similar patterns. Better crop quality can fetch premium prices, while reduced drought stress lowers crop insurance claims and improves eligibility for programs.
Furthermore, needed rainfall can bolster whole communities because increased farm income supports cooperatives, agribusinesses and other local businesses. In a volatile market influenced by global weather and trade, natural precipitation buffers against price spikes and enhances resilience.
For Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers, one inch of rain is not merely weather — it is economic vitality, resource conservation and a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture. One inch of rain on a 1,000-acre farm can be worth up to $30,000.
But beyond nourishing fields and pastures and fortifying the state’s more than $20 billion agricultural engine, it can be a soothing emotional balm for an entire rural community — a literal shower of blessing. And now next time you see a farmer smiling after a summer rain, you’ll know why!
Loren Lippincott represents Legislative District 34 in the Nebraska State Senate. Read his column in the Nance County Journal.