Water management is always at the heart of successful crop production in the Texas High Plains. With limited rainfall, declining groundwater levels, and high summer temperatures, every drop of water counts. One of the most useful, yet often overlooked, tools for managing water efficiently is understanding evapotranspiration, or ET, also used interchangeably with crop water use.
So, what exactly is ET?
Evapotranspiration is the combined process of evaporation (water loss from the soil surface) and transpiration (water used and released by plants). In short, ET tells us how much water is leaving a field, whether through the soil or the crop itself. By tracking ET, producers can estimate how much water a crop actually needs and when to irrigate
Why ET matters here?
On the Texas High Plains, our climate brings high winds, intense sunlight, and low humidity, the perfect combination for high evapotranspiration rates. Crops can lose significant amounts of water through ET during peak growing months. Understanding these patterns helps producers fine-tune irrigation schedules, reduce unnecessary water use, and maintain yield potential.
Using ET data for irrigation decisions
Producers can access local ET data through tools like TexasET Network or local weather stations that report daily ET values. By comparing current ET data with soil moisture and rainfall, irrigators can better determine when and how much water to apply. This datadriven approach reduces overwatering, lowers energy costs, and conserves water resources from the Ogallala Aquifer, a critical priority for our region’s agricultural future. Matching crops to water availability and scheduling irrigation around ET rates helps ensure sustainable production across the High Plains.
The bottom line
Evapotranspiration may sound technical, but it’s really just a way of reading what your crops are telling you about their water needs. When producers use ET data alongside local weather reports and soil moisture sensors, they can make more informed irrigation decisions that save time, money, and water — all while supporting longterm productivity in the Texas High Plains.