Survey: Farms face sweeping impacts from drought As persistent drought continues to hammer the western half of the United States, a new survey by the American Farm Bureau Federation reveals the toll it has had on farmers and ranchers—and how parched conditions put production of certain commodities at risk. and ranch businesses. AFBF conducted similar surveys in June 2021 and October 2021. The more than 600 survey responses illus- trate the far-reaching implications of drought on food availability and affordability. Some 74% of respondents rated a re- duction in harvest yields as prevalent or higher, while 42% rated the intention to switch planned crops due to drought as prevalent or higher.
year. Similarly, 33% reported destroying and removing orchard trees and other multiyear crops as prevalent or higher. Fifty percent of California respondents reported that factor as prevalent or higher. In one case, a California farmer men- tioned dropping all fruit on 5 acres of young cabernet grapes to help them sur- vive with no applied water during the past two years, removing all revenue-generat- ing potential for the current year. Because the Golden State produces 80% of the world’s almonds, the survey results suggest its drought conditions risk global access to the tree nut. The surveyed region provides more than 70% of the nation’s hay, and 90% of respondents reported an increase in local feed costs as prevalent or higher in their area. Two-thirds of respondents re- ported prevalence of selling off portions of their herds or flocks, with average herd sizes expected to be down 36% in the survey region. In many Western states, where the federal government owns the majori- ty of land, drought has diminished any usable forage, with 57% of respondents reporting impaired use of public lands as prevalent or higher and 71% reporting removing animals from rangeland due to insufficient forage as prevalent or higher. Of the 67% of respondents who report- ed reducing herd sizes in 2021, nearly 50% were further reducing their herd or flock this year; 37% were maintaining the reduced herd size; and 14% were building their headcount back up. Producers also reported additional regulations on well drilling that have stunted access to groundwater. One California farmer noted that drilling a new well would be more than a year and a half away. Still, more than 60% of re- spondents continue to report increased use of groundwater, with the highest uses in California at 63%. In some cases, wells do not guarantee reliable water access, the survey found. “Discussing with adjacent landowner use of his well by agreement for a source of groundwater to replace anticipat- ed loss of my well because of dropping groundwater levels and no source of surface water,” one California farmer ex- plained in the survey. Overall, respondents said they expect their farm-related revenue to be down 38% from the average year due to drought, with the highest expected declines in Texas at 54% and New Mexico at 50%. “The effects of this drought will be felt for years to come, not just by farmers and ranchers but also by consumers,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Many farmers have had to make the devastating decision to sell off livestock they have spent years raising or de- stroy orchard trees that have grown for decades,” Duvall added. “Long-term solutions to drought mitigation must be discussed and implemented to ensure farmers in drought-prone regions can continue to provide safe, affordable and abundant food for their states and the rest of the country.”
Across the surveyed region, respon- dents said they expected average crop yields to be down 38% this year because of drought conditions. Those who reported tilling under crops jumped from 24% last year to 37% this
AFBF surveyed farmers and ranch- ers in 15 states from California to North Dakota to Texas. Together, these states contribute nearly half of the U.S. agricul- tural production by value.
Distributed between June 8 and July 20, the new survey represents the third one AFBF has conducted to assess ground-level drought impacts on farm
THE DROUGHT IS HERE, PROTECT YOUR WATER SUPPLY…
DEMAND A 100 YEAR WELL.
Roscoe Moss Well Screen • STRONGEST COLLAPSE STRENGTH • LEAST LIKELY TO CLOG • CORROSION RESISTANT STEEL OPTIONS • HIGHEST EFFICIENCY FOR MAX WATER • STOCK READILY AVAILABLE • MADE IN CALIFORNIA SINCE 1926
PVC Screen History of Cracking
Vertical Mill Slot Screen Prone to Clogging
LOS ANGELES 323.263.4111 • ROSCOEMOSS.COM • BAKERSFIELD 661.747.6908
6 Ag Alert August 24, 2022
Powered by FlippingBook