By Scout Nelson
A farm experiment by western Kansas producer Kent Higerd demonstrates how the Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) program at Kansas State University is helping farmers make better irrigation decisions while conserving groundwater. Using knowledge gained through TAPS, Higerd divided a center-pivot irrigated corn field into several water-management zones to evaluate whether irrigation could be reduced without affecting crop performance.
Although final yield comparisons will come after harvest, late-season observations showed little visible difference among the treatments. For Higerd, the project goes beyond testing irrigation practices and reflects a commitment to preserving water resources for future generations, including his son Aaron.
"As far as saving groundwater, the TAPS program is to be commended," Higerd said. "When I first started, I was thinking, 'Are you crazy?' You're going to make us water less?' We didn't know any different. The seven most expensive words on a farm are, 'Because we've always done it that way.'"
The ideas behind Higerd's experiment align closely with the mission of TAPS, which brings together producers, researchers, students and industry partners to improve farm management through data-driven decision-making. In September, the K-State TAPS team hosted its National Fly-In and Field Experience in Colby, attracting participants from across the United States.
According to Daran Rudnick, K-State director of sustainable irrigation and a co-founder of TAPS, the event provides an opportunity for producers from diverse agricultural regions to exchange knowledge and experiences. He noted that bringing the network to western Kansas allows participants to better understand the realities of managing limited water resources while learning from different production systems.
During the 2026 TAPS competition, teams managed corn plots at K-State’s Northwest Research-Extension Center in Colby under a seasonal 10-inch irrigation limit. Competitors were responsible for making decisions related to irrigation, nitrogen management, seeding rates, crop insurance, grain marketing and technology adoption, with awards based on profitability and input-use efficiency.
The event also featured agricultural tours, technology demonstrations, student research presentations and the interactive TAPS Farm Duel. These activities encouraged participants to compare management approaches and discuss how different strategies perform under various production scenarios.
A panel discussion on water management highlighted the ongoing challenge of balancing agricultural productivity with groundwater conservation. Speakers emphasized the growing importance of data, technology and producer involvement in improving irrigation efficiency and long-term sustainability.
Producer Pat Janssen stressed that successful water conservation depends as much on people as it does on technology. "Water efficiency in terms of irrigation is about 40% mechanical or technical and about 60% cultural," Janssen said. "You can hang things on a pivot and stick them in the field until you can see it from outer space. But if you don't have that producer engagement, you're not going to move the needle at all."
The event reinforced a central message: better information leads to better decisions. By combining producer experience with applied university research, Kansas State University's TAPS program continues to provide practical solutions that farmers can use on their own operations.
As Higerd awaits his harvest results, the irrigation trial has already demonstrated the value of questioning long-standing practices. Whether through adjusted irrigation schedules, new technologies or data-driven management strategies, TAPS is helping producers improve efficiency, conserve water and build a more sustainable future for agriculture.
Photo Credit: kansas-state-university
Categories: Kansas, Crops, Corn, Education, Sustainable Agriculture