New economic data from California shows the state could face anywhere from $3-14 billion in water losses each year if no action is taken.
California has faced water supply challenges for years and is expected to shrink by 12-25% by 2050.
The data collected by researchers at UC Davis and UC Merced shows that without coordinated action, nearly three million acres of California farmland could be taken out of production.
That would mean a loss of 67,000 jobs, severely impacting rural communities.
The research supports the state’s Senate Bill 72, which proposes California’s first-ever water supply target to develop 9 million acre-feet of new water by 2040.
Related Stories
Dr. Peter Beetham, interim CEO of Cibus, joined us to discuss the status of EU gene-editing deregulation and its potential implications for agriculture.
Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX), who sits on the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, spoke exclusively with RFD NEWS about what Congress is doing to address screwworm concerns, including funding for a sterile fly production facility in Mexico.
HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy calls on cattle producers to retain breeding cows while Ivomec receives emergency authorization to prevent New World screwworm.
The House Agriculture Committee is set to debate a new, “skinny” Farm Bill at the end of February, according to a release from Committee Chairman Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson.
Regulatory uncertainty could slow the growth of fiber and grain hemp unless implementation is delayed.
As cattle markets show renewed strength, producers gathering at CattleCon are focused on protecting operations, managing risk, and positioning for opportunity in the year ahead.