NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD-TV) — In Arizona, where water scarcity shapes every planting decision, farmers are redefining what sustainability looks like in one of the driest regions on earth. An Arizona Farm Bureau commentary by Julie Murphree argues that growing food in the desert is not wasteful — it’s a strategic investment in food security, technology, and resilience.
Murphree notes that while agriculture once used up to 90 percent of Arizona’s water, today that figure has dropped to roughly 72 percent, driven by efficiency gains and widespread adoption of precision irrigation.
Many producers have cut water use by 20 to 50 percent through upgraded systems, lined ditches, surge irrigation, soil moisture sensors, and real-time data that enable water to be applied with pinpoint accuracy. Livestock and dairy operations increasingly reuse water for crops such as alfalfa, while conservation tillage helps trap moisture in the soil.
Arizona agriculture contributes about $31 billion annually to the economy, growing everything from leafy greens to forage for dairy and beef operations. Murphree argues that restricting or eliminating farming in arid states would weaken domestic food security at a time when global instability and supply-chain risks make local production critical.
“Agriculture isn’t the problem,” she writes. “It’s part of the solution.”
Farm-Level Takeaway: Arizona producers are proving that desert farming and water conservation can coexist through technology, reuse, and efficiency — reinforcing both food security and environmental stewardship.
Tony St. James, RFD-TV Markets Expert
January 16, 2026 09:57 AM
·
Wind repowering offers a rare opportunity to renegotiate outdated leases and improve long-term land income for landowners who act early.
January 16, 2026 06:00 AM
·
NEFB President Mark McHargue recaps the Farm Bureau’s Annual Convention, producer sentiment in Nebraska, and discusses key issues facing agriculture.
January 15, 2026 01:17 PM
·
Congressman Dusty Johnson of South Dakota joined us to discuss key ag policy developments and his outlook for agriculture in 2026.
January 15, 2026 12:51 PM
·
Tight beef cow supplies and steady demand point to continued record-level cull cow prices in 2026.
January 15, 2026 11:23 AM
·
Expanded school access to whole milk provides modest but reliable demand support for U.S. dairy producers.
January 15, 2026 10:14 AM
·
RFD News correspondent Frank McCaffrey reports from Texas on the ongoing water dispute and its implications for U.S. farmers.
January 14, 2026 12:17 PM
·
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2026 agenda centers on labor stability, biosecurity, and economic resilience for family farms. Expanded DMC coverage improves risk protection for dairy operations facing tighter margins.
January 14, 2026 11:19 AM
·
A high-stakes legal case in a South Dakota federal court concerning misleading country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL), such as “Product of the USA,” on food products, will significantly impact U.S. agricultural policy for years to come.
January 14, 2026 09:00 AM
·
