Why alfalfa is ideal for California and the Southwest
By Ayman Mostafa The Southwest continues to endure a megadrought, signifying drought con-
water and air pollution. Alfalfa improves soil characteristics with its deep roots; as a legume, it fixes atmospheric nitrogen through bacteria in the root nodules. Alfalfa is a rich habitat for wildlife and preserves many endangered species from different animal families. Alfalfa fields are important contributors to the biodiver- sity of agricultural systems by function- ing as insectaries for beneficial insects, many of which are pollinators or natural enemies that play important roles in the low-desert agroecosystem. Western alfalfa production is quite different from production in other areas where nondormant, irrigated varieties provide a year-round habitat for insects. This allows alfalfa to play an important role in insecticide-resistance manage- ment by acting as a refuge, especially for aphids and whiteflies. If alfalfa fields are eliminated or signifi- cantly reduced, it is highly likely that most of the original acreage will be converted to residential and commercial uses. This situation will likely decrease farmland and increase population in those areas. As a result, the Southwest may experience shortages of certain food products, thereby relying on food from nonlocal sources, in- cluding those imported from abroad. This will likely increase food prices and extend the supply chain. With the increase in population comes environmental im- pacts, alteration of ecosystems and pol- lution of air, water and soil, all of which impacts our carbon footprint. Alfalfa pro- duction can make that footprint smaller. (Ayman Mostafa, Ph.D., is a field crops and entomology specialist and director of the Urban Agriculture Production, Small- Scale and Beginning Farmer Program at the University of Arizona. He may be contacted at ayman@cals.arizona.edu.)
ditions lasting at least two decades. Historic water-sup- ply challenges, par- ticularly from the depleted Colorado River, have focused attention on a key agricultural com- modity: alfalfa. The crop is sec-
Ayman Mostafa
ond to almonds in terms of acreage and wa- ter use in California. The share of water go- ing toward alfalfa hay production supports dairy and livestock industries in southwest- ern states including California, Arizona and New Mexico. Alfalfa is the leading crop in terms of gross value in California’s Imperial County and comprises the largest acreage among all crops in Arizona. Increased demand for high-protein- source dairy products and meat has been reflected in soaring prices of alfalfa hay in recent years. Still, some believe the amount of water used to irrigate alfalfa is a major contributor to the region’s water shortage. They fail to recognize alfalfa’s economic efficiencies, environmental impacts and agronomic benefits to our ecosystem. Alfalfa is an ideal crop to have in California and the Southwest when it comes to irrigation water usage and ef- ficiency. The crop has one of the highest water-use efficiencies when calculated as yield per water unit. Alfalfa has a unique deep-root system that can help absorb groundwater that is not viable to other crops and can allow the plant to stay alive during long periods of lacking irrigation. While suspected of higher total applied irrigation water than many other crops,
Alfalfa grows on a farm in the Imperial Valley. Despite criticisms about its water use, alfalfa can thrive with less than optimal irrigation. The crop also provides various environmental benefits.
alfalfa actually has greater water-use ef- ficiency. Additionally, the entire above- ground portion of the plant is harvested as many as 12 times per year in the south- western region. When compared to other crops harvested less frequently, alfalfa’s ratio of harvestable biomass to water ap- plied shows it is far more water efficient. Furthermore, the majority of irrigation water used in alfalfa is recycled back into the environment. Many studies have proved alfalfa’s ability to sustain different levels of deficit irriga- tion, meaning that it can be grown with less than optimal water use. Research at the University of California, Davis, demon- strated the viability of different levels of regulated deficit irrigation in alfalfa and approaches to improve water manage- ment by adopting more efficient irrigation methods and scheduling. These options can help California growers make optimal decisions for producing alfalfa with limit- ed water supplies, as we experience in the Colorado River Basin. Growing alfalfa provides numerous
environmental benefits. While the crop remains economically important, al- falfa also may help reduce impacts of climate change. Because it covers the soil for a longer time than any other crop, alfalfa is envi- sioned as a leading option for soil-carbon sequestration, also known as regenerative agriculture. Incorporating a perennial le- gume such as alfalfa can help to stabilize soils nutritionally depleted by row-crop or specialty-crop production, as has occurred in many agricultural areas in the western U.S. Alfalfa was introduced into crop rota- tion in Europe and encouraged globally to reduce the impacts of agriculture intensi- fication on the environment. Switching from annual forage crop pro- duction for dairy animals and livestock feed to perennial alfalfa can help restore depleted soils, minimize inputs and de- crease the footprint of agricultural produc- tion. Because of its nature as a perennial plant that stays in the field for three to five years, alfalfa helps in trapping sediments and takes up nitrate pollutants. It mitigates
VOL. 50, NO. 28
August 2, 2023
AG ALERT ® weekly newspaper is an official publication of the CALIFORNIA FARM BUREAU
www.agalert.com www.cfbf.com
@cafarmbureau @cafarmbureau @cafarmbureau
@calfarmbureau
Board of Directors (District 1) Ronnie Leimgruber; (2) Scott Hudson; (3) Richard Miner; (4) Kevin Merrill; (5) Brian Medeiros; (6) Joey Airoso; (7) Donny Rollin; (8) April England; (9) Jay Mahil; (10) Jan Garrod; (11) Joe Martinez; (12) Paul Sanguinetti; (13) Ron Peterson; (14) Joe Fischer; (15) Clark Becker; (16) Garrett Driver; (17) Johnnie White; (18) Daniel Suenram; (19) Taylor Hagata; (20) Jim Morris; (21) Ronald Vevoda; (Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee Chair) Leah Groves. Advisory Members Al Stehly, Chair, CFB Rural Health Department, Glenda Humiston, University of California Cooperative Extension. Letters to the editor: Send to agalert@cfbf.com or Ag Alert, Attn: Editor, 2600 River Plaza Drive, Sacramento, CA 95833. Include name, address, phone number, email address; 250-word limit.
Melanie Duval- Chief Marketing Officer
ADVERTISING: Brock Tessandori- Business Development Manager (916) 561-5585 Shelby Baldridge- Advertising Operations Assistant Classifieds: (916) 561-5573 2600 River Plaza Dr., Sacramento, CA 95833. Represented in the East and Midwest by J.L. Farmakis, Inc. Eastern office: Bill Farmakis 48 Topfield Rd., Wilton, CT 06897 (203) 834-8832; Fax: (203) 834-8825. Midwest office: Russ Parker , P.O. Box 7, Albia, IA 52531 (641) 946‑7646, Bob Brunker , 8209 NW 81st Ct., Kansas City, MO 64152 (816) 746-8814, Jennifer Saylor , 8426 N. Winfield Ave., Kansas City, MO 64153 (816) 912-2804, Laura Rustmann , 901 Lands End Cir, St. Charles MO 63304, (636) 238-8548. AG ALERT (issn 0161-5408) is published weekly except weeks of Memorial Day, July 4, Thanksgiving,
Christmas; and with exceptions, by the California Farm Bureau, 2600 River Plaza Dr., Sacramento CA 95833 (telephone: (916) 561-5570). Periodicals postage paid at Sacramento, California. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to AG ALERT, 2600 River Plaza Dr., Sacramento, CA 95833. The California Farm Bureau does not assume responsibility for statements by advertisers or for products advertised in AG ALERT nor does the Federation assume responsibility for statements or expressions of opinion other than in editorials or in articles showing authorship by an officer, director, or employee of the California Farm Bureau Federation or its affiliates. No alcohol, tobacco or political ad-
Peter Hecht- Chief Editor, Publications
Christine Souza- Assistant Editor
Ching Lee- Assistant Editor
Caleb Hampton- Assistant Editor
Paula Erath- Graphic Designer
Nicole Pacheco- Graphic Designer
Shawn Collins- Production Designer
vertising will be accepted. Jamie Johansson , President
GENERAL INFORMATION: (916) 561-5570
Shannon Douglass , First Vice President Shaun Crook , Second Vice President
agalert@cfbf.com
Printed on Recycled Paper
BPA Business Publication Member
2 Ag Alert August 2, 2023
Powered by FlippingBook