Irrigation, Water Conservation, and Farm Size in the Western United States—While just 16 percent of all harvested cropland in the U.S. is irrigated, this acreage generates nearly half the value of all crops sold. Because agriculture accounts for over 80 percent of water consumed in the U.S., conserving irrigation technologies have become central to the challenge of balancing water demands among alternative uses. |
Agricultural Resources and Environmental Indicators: Irrigation Water Management—Efficient irrigation systems and water management practices can help maintain farm profitability in an era of increasingly limited and more costly water supplies. Improved water management practices may also reduce the impact of irrigated production on offsite water quantity and quality, and conserve water for growing nonagricultural demands. |
