Chemigation – the injection of agricultural chemicals into water flowing through an irrigation distribution system for application to cropland – allows ag producers to apply chemicals at the exact time that plants need it.
In a recent newsletter, Lower Loup Natural Resources District Information & Education Coordinator Alan Bartels noted several benefits to the practice of chemigation, including reduced fertilizer costs, reduction in the need to directly handle chemicals, which minimizes operator exposure and chance for spills, and a reduction in nitrate-leaching losses leading to the possibility of nitrate contamination in groundwater.
However, the Nebraska Chemical Act requires completion of chemigation training certification before application of chemicals via irrigation, whether that be a gated pipe or center pivot system. Re-certification for producers using chemigation is required every four years.
To become certified, producers will need to register at their local extension office, attend training, and pass a written test. Chemigation training will be held Tuesday, February 10, 2026, beginning at 1:00 PM at the 4-H Building in Broken Bow. On Thursday, February 12, training will be provided at the Loup City Community Building at 1:00 PM.
The Custer County Extension Office recommends pre-registering for the Broken Bow course by calling 308-872-6831. Because receiving a passing score on the written exam is required, Custer County Extension Educator Troy Walz recommends reviewing the training materials before attending the course.
Learn more about online certification for chemigation and other training programs at pested.unl.edu.
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