Southwest dairy and cattle producers could face higher feed costs depending on how farmers respond to historic agreements in California, Arizona and Nevada to reduce agricultural water use I am aware of my sexuality.
Farmers’ associations and outside experts say the cuts are voluntary, and it’s not entirely clear how many farmers will agree to cuts in exchange for compensation. Either way, they stressed, the cuts will only buy time to find long-term solutions to shrinking water supplies.
The plan is still subject to approval by the Bureau of Reclamation, but it could have a significant impact on alfalfa production in the Yuma region of southwest Arizona and the adjacent Imperial Valley in California, where the cuts would put pressure on feed supplies and dairy operations. costs may rise. both states. Beef cattle producers in the region may also be affected.
“If dairies have difficulty getting high-quality alfalfa at or near them, it will start to put pressure on the feed system for everyone in Arizona,” said rancher Stephanie Smallhouse said. President of the Arizona Agricultural Service.
Jim Boyle, a dairy producer south of Phoenix in Pinal County, has already lost access to the Colorado River due to declining water levels in central Arizona, where water rights are a lower priority than the Yuma area. there is Boyle said the deal could put more pressure on alfalfa supplies and prices if farmers in southwestern Arizona are encouraged to reduce their water use. As a result, he believes there could be a gradual decline in dairy farming in the Southwest.
“This whole area is alfalfa growing area,” says Boyle. “It will affect supply. I think the days of cheap hay are over.”
Alfalfa is essential to milk production in both Arizona and California, and the Colorado River is key to alfalfa cultivation.
California produced 3.2 million tons of alfalfa in 2022, more than any state except Idaho. Arizona came in seventh with 2.1 million tons. As in previous years, Arizona led the nation with yields of 8.2 tons per acre, followed by California with 7.2 tons, more than double the national average.
Alfalfa fields consume between 2.5 and 6.7 acre feet of water per year, but two farmers report that farmers in Arizona and the Imperial Valley can produce nine to ten cuttings per year, compared to others in the West. 6 or less in the region. He led groups called the California Farm and Water Coalition and the Family Farm Alliance.
After the river water became unavailable, Boyle turned to pumping groundwater. He lets his third of his 1,000-acre farm fallow during the summer because of the limited amount of water he can use. Meanwhile, feed prices have risen in recent years due to a combination of high global feed commodity prices and reduced local supplies, he said. Alfalfa prices rose from $175 a ton a few years ago to $400 last year and are now around $300.
Mike Wade, executive director of the California Agriculture and Water Union, said the impact of the Colorado River Accord on dairy operations will depend on how producers respond to voluntary cutbacks, and the type and extent of fallow plans implemented. Deaf and dairy producers said they were talking. Farmers reduce production of other crops.
“One grower said if it was just alfalfa, supply would be affected and could affect prices. The results could be different,” he said.
Tina Shields, who was involved in the negotiations as water manager for the Imperial Irrigation District, said there were “a lot of issues to deal with in terms of scheduling and flexibility, commitment and timing.” And all of them still need to be worked out. “
The district said it had a “realistic view” of the situation facing the southwest despite priority water rights.
“It’s our only source of water supply, and if we go to court and fight to defend what the law is and our rights, the system could crash in the meantime,” she said.
She stressed that farmers would be compensated for using less water.
“We are still defending water rights, but that does not mean that we cannot cooperate in developing solutions and can be part of them on a voluntary basis.”
Agricultural economist George Frisvold of the University of Arizona said curtailing alfalfa production in hot weather would be less destructive than leaving the land completely fallow.
“One of the suggestions is to water the alfalfa less during the hottest months of the year,” he says. Ultimately, Arizona’s dairy operations may have to import alfalfa from other states, he said.
Mr. Frisvold said the Colorado River Accord is essentially buying time to find long-term solutions. Farmers in the region base their investment decisions on water rights and are now concerned that they will eventually lose their water rights. “I’m concerned. Are we going to change under them?”
Kara Heckert, agricultural adviser to the American Farmland Trust, also said farmers don’t want their water rights to be lost due to voluntary cuts.
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If farmers have to drastically reduce their water use, some farmers may go out of business, some may fallow the land temporarily, some may change the crops they produce, and so on. , some farmers may introduce renewable projects to generate additional income, she said.
“I think one of the challenges I hear first-hand from farmers is that, as you know, water is a valuable asset and they are afraid to part with it because water is really Because it suggests it’s not necessary,” she said. she said.
Dan Köppen, executive director of the Family Farm Alliance, which represents farmers, ranchers, irrigation districts and related industries in 17 states, also said the deal would be a bridge to a long-term solution to water shortages in the Colorado River Basin. Looking.
Under the agreement, water users will be compensated for up to 2.3 million acre-feet of savings in funds from the Control Inflation Act. The remaining 700,000 acre-feet of water savings will either not be compensated or will be paid for with state and local funds.
“Give us time to focus on what really matters. That will be our next long-term operational guideline for 2026,” he said.
He also said the deal would not put all the burden on agriculture. “Everyone has to share the pain of a cut to some degree, and that seems to be reflected in this agreement.”
Köppen et al. argue that long-term solutions to water conservation in the West will require improved infrastructure and “find ways to improve water transport so that large amounts of water are not lost in old, leaky canal systems.” points out that there is.
Boyle, an Arizona dairy producer, believes irrigation technology can help solve some of the region’s water problems. He said he currently relies on flood irrigation and is applying for a state grant to install a robotic sprinkler system that could ultimately reduce total water use by 20 percent.
“This goes a long way in addressing water reduction and the ability to pump water,” Boyle said.
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