NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD-TV) — Farmers across the United States have seen major shifts in irrigation patterns over the past 25 years, according to new USDA Economic Research Service data. While total irrigated land declined slightly from 56.3 million acres in 1997 to 54.9 million in 2022, the national total masks sharp regional expansions and contractions driven by water availability, drought, and production needs.
Western states recorded some of the steepest losses. California’s irrigated acreage fell from 8.8 to 8.2 million acres, and Texas lost nearly 2 million irrigated acres as drought, groundwater depletion, and competing municipal demands reduced water access. Some counties also saw declines tied to urban expansion.
In contrast, several eastern and Delta states expanded irrigation to stabilize yields under increasingly unreliable rainfall. Nebraska rose from 7 to 8 million irrigated acres, and Arkansas added more than 1 million acres, surpassing Texas in 2012 as the third-largest irrigated state.
Operationally, the growth of irrigation in rain-fed regions reflects producers’ efforts to manage risk and maintain crop consistency. Meanwhile, water scarcity in the West continues to constrain acres and influence cropping decisions.
Looking ahead, ERS notes that long-term water trends will shape where irrigation remains viable.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Water access—not acreage alone—is driving where irrigation expands or contracts.
Tony St. James, RFD-TV Markets Specialist
FarmHER Debra Lockard joined us Friday on the Market Day Report to discuss her upcoming show episode, which premieres on Tuesday, October 1 at 9:00 PM ET, only on RFD-TV!
September 30, 2024 11:03 AM
·
Meet FarmHER Debra Lockard, a third-generation Tennessee produce grower who splits her time running two farms in West Tennessee and teaching ag classes that promote sustainable farming practices in her Memphis community.
September 26, 2024 05:55 PM
·
FarmHER Kate Hitchcock joined us on the Market Day Report to discuss the upcoming episode of the show where Kirbe and the crew visit her family’s produce operation in California’s Salinas Valley, which premieres tomorrow, Sept. 24 at 9 PM ET only on RFD-TV.
September 23, 2024 02:01 PM
·
The FarmHER crew catches up with fifth-generation California sweet baby broccoli producer Kate Hitchcock and her team in the middle of the harvest season in the Salinas Valley.
September 18, 2024 12:05 PM
·
FarmHER Janet Dennison joins us live on the Market Day Report for an interview before her new episode premiere on Tuesday.
September 16, 2024 02:47 PM
·
Kentucky Flower FarmHER Janet Dennison’s retirement project flourished into a thriving business, Mammoth Cave Transplants, in Kentucky. Learn about it and the beautiful ornamental plants she grows in this new episode of FarmHER.
September 12, 2024 04:49 PM
