Eugenia Saini is currently FONTAGRO’s Executive Secretary. FONTAGRO is the Regional Fund for Agricultural Technology. She leads the investment fund and a portfolio of 70 international operations related to science, technology, and innovation for the Latin America and the Caribbean region. She is from Argentina and is an agronomist by training. She holds a doctorate in agricultural sciences, specializing in total factor productivity analysis. One of her seminal works in this field was the estimation of 120 years of TFP for the agricultural sector in Argentina. She is also a National Public Accountant and holds an MS in Food and Agribusiness and an MS in Applied Economics, both from Universidad de Buenos Aires. She has worked in the private and public sectors, both nationally and internationally, especially in multilateral banks. She was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship at Cornell University and, more recently, with the Abshire-Inamori Leadership Academy (AILA) Scholarship at the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C.
SUMMARY: The Dashboard for Agricultural Water and Nutrient Management (DAWN) is a free, web-based decision-support tool developed to help Corn Belt producers optimize water and nutrient inputs for efficiency gains. Supported by USDA-NIFA and developed by a team of researchers, including those at the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska, the tool translates complex climate data into six-month forecasts that can be applied for real-time, region-specific, actionable insights. With over 400 users, DAWN is gaining traction and attracting private-sector interest. By bridging science and practice, DAWN supports more efficient, resilient farming and highlights the importance of collaborative, farmer-informed innovation in digital agriculture.
As global food demand increases, tools that help producers manage risk and use inputs more efficiently are essential. The Dashboard for Agricultural Water Use and Nutrient Management (DAWN), developed through a USDA-NIFA-funded collaboration, is one such innovation—supporting U.S. Corn Belt producers in adapting to increasingly variable conditions.
DAWN is a free, web-based decision-support system that helps row crop producers in the U.S. Corn Belt manage water and nutrient inputs. It brings together researchers and stakeholders from institutions including the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI) at the University of Nebraska, the Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, Colorado State University, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Minnesota, Conserve, and UNCommon Farms. The project is led by Dr. Xinzhong Lian at the University of Maryland.
Unlike traditional tools relying on historical weather data, DAWN uses six-month temperature and precipitation forecasts. Its transparent dashboard allows users to view predicted and past weather, assess forecast accuracy, and apply insights to fit their operations.
“We’re not telling farmers what to do,” said Dr. Guillermo Balboa, Research Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. “We’re giving them the information in a way that’s already digested, so they can decide what’s best for them.” Dr. Balboa leads the development of decision support tools in nutrient management and Digital Agriculture at the Department of Agronomy. He is currently testing a dashboard to help farmers benchmark their nitrogen and water use efficiency across Nebraska. “Farmers will be able to see how efficient they are compared to other farmers in their area or with similar fields”, Balboa said.
DWFI’s Director of Research, Dr. Christopher Neale, serves as a co-Principal Investigator, leading Nebraska’s work on evapotranspiration estimation and outreach. Researchers are using NOAA data to improve forecast accuracy and model crop phenology, allowing producers to better time irrigation and nutrient applications. DAWN also offers in-season tools for irrigation scheduling, harvest planning, and input management, helping farmers make proactive, data-driven decisions.
Engaging farmers has been central to DAWN’s approach. Over the past year, Nebraska and Illinois partners have emphasized in-person outreach, field demonstrations, and practical educational materials. At the 2025 winter meetings alone, the project reached more than 1,200 producers and agronomists. Over 400 users are currently engaging with the DAWN Dashboard.
“Farmers are overwhelmed by technology,” Balboa said. “We have to ensure our tools are not only accurate, but truly useful and easy to apply.”
DAWN’s hindcasting feature allows farmers to evaluate how past forecasts compare with actual weather outcomes, further building trust. Summer internships, including student participation from DWFI, have also supported data collection and user engagement.
With interest growing from crop insurance companies and agribusinesses, DAWN may open new pathways for public-private partnerships. As the five-year project nears completion, partners are evaluating long-term sustainability and ongoing platform support.
By improving corn management decisions, DAWN helps reduce input costs, mitigate environmental impacts, and strengthen climate resilience, providing a model for practical, science-based support tools that meet real producer needs.