Wisconet weather station
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Wisconet weather station
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Real-time environmental tracking is gaining rapid momentum across Wisconsin, offering major benefits for both the agricultural sector and outdoor enthusiasts. Wisconet, the state’s environmental mesonet managed by the University of Wisconsin–Madison, has launched a new “Plant Available Water” data feature to help growers optimize field management.
Precision Data at Five Soil Depths
The network now features 400 soil sensors deployed statewide, making it one of the largest specialized monitoring grids in the United States. According to Chris Vagasky, Research Program Manager for Wisconet, the new metrics give farmers precise soil-moisture percentages compared against maximum water capacity.
The system reads data at five strategic depths:
- 2 inches
- 4 inches
- 8 inches
- 20 inches
- 40 inches
Farmers can access these live maps and interactive charts for free via the “Agricultural Tools” dashboard on the Wisconsin weather station network.
The Bottom Line for Growers
Monitoring real-time water availability helps farmers protect both their bottom lines and the local environment by allowing them to:
- Reduce overhead costs by eliminating unnecessary or premature irrigation cycle expenses.
- Maximize crop yields by identifying and mitigating localized crop moisture stress early.
- Protect local watersheds by keeping liquid fertilizers and nutrients locked within the root zone instead of allowing runoff.
Blanketing the State
Wisconet currently operates 79 active weather stations. However, Vagasky stated that expansion plans are actively moving forward. The program aims to add roughly 40 additional stations to create a comprehensive data blanket.
Once fully realized, this expansion will ensure a high-utility station sits within 20 miles of any given location in the state. This expansion includes localized weather data gathering infrastructure currently being deployed across the Apostle Islands to provide critical coverage near Lake Superior.
