The team operates and maintains the NP-PET, which stands for North Plains Potential Evapotranspiration network. The network provides current, precise information on actual, in-field conditions and helps subscribing farmers know when to plant, irrigate, and make other crop management decisions. To date, there have been few really hot days recorded in the region. Normal temperatures range in the 80s to 90s at this time of year. The flexibility of the network database makes such modifications possible, the engineers noted.
Conditions can vary considerably from one year to the next.
New said that grower feedback and field inspection have been major factors in how the database is modified. Their rapid response also indicates the number of progressive growers using the data is increasing. Installation of a tenth weather station near Farwell was aided through support provided by area growers. The unit will primarily address conditions for production of corn, cotton, grain sorghum and wheat for now. Other stations online are located at Dalhart, Etter, Morse, Perryton, White Deer, Bushland, Dimmitt, Earth, and Wellington.