It is looking to be another dire situation in California this growing season, as the wet months come to an end.
A University of California professor says that there is not enough water in the state for farmers to continue their current practices.
The San Joaquin Valley is one of the most productive ag regions in the world, and some climate advocates say that it is under the threat of ecological collapse. A recent study found farmers may need to abandon half a million acres by 2040 to achieve sustainable water usage.
As for this year, USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey explains: “It is going to be a difficult year in many areas of the west as we have existing low reservoir levels; expected poor runoff prospects. That is going to lead to widespread cutbacks and water allocations. Not just for agriculture, but extending into other sectors, such as hydropower. There’s also minimum requirements for environmental purposes that also cause more water to be lost from reservoirs and we have to think about municipal water supplies as well.”
He adds that nearly every western state but Washington is reporting below average reservoir shortage heading into the spring.
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Drought is a real concern for growers as planting season draws near and dryness expands