Coverage of DWFI research and events reaches more than 219 million people

Coverage of DWFI research, announcements and events in various external media outlets over the past year earned the institute a reach of more than 219 million views through 255 media mentions.

An NPR news story on drought, in which Jesse Bell, DWFI director of water, climate and health, was quoted was the top article, reaching more than 50 million people.

In addition to coverage of the 2023 Water for Food Global Conference, of which external new stories resulted in nearly 3 million views, highlights of DWFI’s media exposure include:

Bell speaks with media regarding child's death caused by brain-eating amoeba

August 19, 2022 | KETV Omaha

After the recent tragic death of an 8-year old Nebraskan, DWFI Director of Water, Climate and Health Jesse Bell, Ph.D. explains how cases of brain-eating amoebas, though still extremely rare, are now appearing in more northern states due to warming temperatures.

Bringing world lessons home: Learning how ag irrigation is approached elsewhere is key to improving strategies here

October 6, 2022 | Irrigation Today

Irrigation Today featured an article by Christopher Neale, DWFI Director of Research, in the Fall 2022 edition of its magazine. The story explores how learning how ag irrigation is approached elsewhere around the world is key to improving strategies here in the U.S. Neale specifically discusses the state of irrigation in Brazil, sub-Saharan Africa and the U.S. — areas of the world in which DWFI has extensive knowledge on irrigation systems.

"Instead of growing the largest crop possible, improve profits by optimizing resources," said Neale.

A hotter, drier future could change how we eat, how we breathe and where we get our water

November 29, 2022 | NPR

Dry ground doesn’t just hurt agriculture. It can also hurt people, by making its way into their lungs through dust storms like the ones that hit western Kansas earlier this fall.

Jesse Bell, DWFI director of water, climate and health, studies water, climate and health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and was interviewed in a recent story by Nebraska Public Media. He said when drought hits, public health declines — even if that’s not immediately clear.

“When you look at other weather-related disasters, you can see the impacts on society pretty quickly,” he said. “Drought itself in the United States typically isn’t a cause of death. But drought changes the environment, and that change in the environment can lead to human health outcomes.”

Air pollution from dust-storms and wildfires could cause serious problems for people with asthma. Or hot, dry conditions could increase heat-related deaths and suicides from farmers struggling with growing conditions.

What the future looks like with the new normal of hotter, drier and longer droughts

December 11, 2022 | NPR

DWFI Director of Water, Climate and Health Jesse Bell was interviewed by Harvest Public Media for a story on drought and its future impact on human health.

"Drought changes the environment, and that change in the environment can lead to human health outcomes," said Bell.

Water challenges met with innovations

January 17, 2023 | Nebraska Farmer

DWFI Executive Director Peter McCornick was interviewed for a recent article by Nebraska Farmer, in which he touched on the unique resources, challenges and innovation in managing water for Nebraska agriculture.

Even in a state with abundant resources, water can easily be overexploited, McCornick says. Nebraska is not immune to a growing demand for water to grow agricultural products and to more severe weather conditions that can challenge producers and water managers.

However, “because of the water and leadership to have the forethought to manage water well, Nebraska is in a relatively good position for climate change,” McCornick says.

Efficiencies in crop production improve livestock productivity

March 2023 | Nebraska Cattlemen

Livestock production has increased considerably in the United States over the last 60 years, leading to a corresponding increase in demand for animal feed — of which the state of Nebraska plays a major part in fulfilling.

Crop yields and livestock production are closely intertwined in Nebraska. According to the Nebraska Corn Board, about 16% of Nebraska corn is fed to livestock within the state. Another 24% is used to feed livestock throughout the U.S. and around the world. When our crop systems are efficient and productive, our livestock production is as well — and this includes the effective use of water.

Given the importance of livestock production to Nebraska’s economy and its impacts on water resources, there are surprisingly few studies related to its water productivity. However, in 2019, the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI) at the University of Nebraska produced the Nebraska Water Productivity Report (NWPR), which assesses the water productivity of crop and livestock production.

DWFI and its partners throughout the U.S. and the world will continue to explore new technology and enhance existing tools and partner with farm producers and water managers to address complex challenges to water use in agriculture. With a large portion of Nebraska crops being grown to feed cattle, any additional efficiencies gained in use of water resources directly improve the water productivity of cattle. Innovations can also help producers adapt to climate change and unpredictable weather; crop water use; and nutrient variability — all factors that can ultimately affect yields and profitability.

$52 mn in 5 years: Why is irrigation agritech struggling to attract VC investments?

March 31, 2023 | Business Today

Ankit Chandra, DWFI research program manager, was interviewed about his recent report on venture capital investments to the irrigation agritech market for a story by India's largest business magazine, Business Today.

Venture capital investments to the irrigation agritech market have remained extremely low, with just $52 million invested over the last five years, according to Chandra's report. Investors are not putting money into the sector for a variety of reasons, including its slow growth and non-compelling returns on investment, the study finds. Irrigation agritech start-ups focus on water management to address water crisis in irrigated agriculture, enhance climate resilience, decrease water and energy consumption, and leverage water data for managing water risks and minimizing environmental impact. The study has identified and mapped 21 active agritech start-ups in the agricultural water use ecosystem, of which 15 are backed by private equity or venture capital investors. The biggest challenge for irrigation agritech start-ups is to reduce customer acquisition costs while scaling up, which is often exacerbated by time pressure from investors, particularly those without long-term experience in agricultural innovation. Employing a direct-to-customer marketing approach, the need for in-field education and after-sales support for small farmers makes it difficult for companies to grow their customer network. To overcome these challenges, some start-ups are now looking towards building partner relationships to operate through existing distribution channels, the study finds. Despite low investment, there is potential for growth as more start-ups focus on sustainability and climate change. Additionally, large enterprises are investing in this sector, indicating a potential shift in the industry.