Smart Water and Nitrogen Management: Why 2026 is a Turning Point

Welcome to 2026! As we kick off the new year and start thinking about what needs to improve in crop production, water and nitrogen management should be near or at the top of the list.

Sentinel Ag is focused on providing guidance to farmers on difficult, in-season management like water and nitrogen. These are highly affected by weather and soil interactions. In irrigated areas, water is the lifeline to keep the crop growing during the hot and dry summer months; in rainfed areas, excess water can delay planting and development, and too little water can create drought conditions. These can also affect nitrogen availability and uptake.

We know that going into 2026 input management will be as important as ever; nitrogen prices, especially UAN and urea, are at near-record highs, and water restrictions for irrigation continue in certain areas. It is important to be good stewards of what is provided and to not be wasteful, but at the same time to maintain profitability.

We encourage you to check out our Blog, containing helpful articles and insights around nitrogen and water management. We dig deep into the science surrounding the interaction of nitrogen and water, as well as other nutrients and pests. Sentinel Ag also has an Agronomy Literature Library with additional articles focusing on nitrogen management. Our goal is to provide the farmer with helpful tips and insights to maintain profitability and continue stewarding the land and water in 2026.

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management for your crops.