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Water report targets farmers: Think tank says they can help Delta with more conservation; some balk at findings

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on September 26, 2008 at 6:42 am

From Stockton’s Record:

A solar-powered probe buried in Keith Robertson’s walnut orchard tells the fourth-generation farmer how much water the young trees need. Not far off, drip lines dampen vineyards, and sprinklers spritz a fine mist on almond trees. While old-fashioned flood irrigation is employed on Robertson’s mint-green alfalfa fields, any excess water is pumped back for reuse.

After all this, he bristles when someone suggests farmers should save more water. “I grew up out here and did every job there is,” he said. “I hate to have someone else tell me how to do it when they’ve never seen a hayfield.”

Such is Robertson’s reaction to a water think tank’s recent report suggesting that farmers could help save the overstretched Delta by conserving enough water to fill anywhere from three to 20 hypothetical reservoirs.

Among other tactics, the Pacific Institute recommends growers shift a small percentage of water-thirsty field crops to less demanding varieties and reduce flood irrigation in favor of sprinklers or drip lines. It also calls for changes in water rights, groundwater management and a shift in subsidies, all controversial ideas.

Some farmers think the report missed one big point:

“They don’t even mention what this would do to the food supply,” south Delta farmer Alex Hildebrand wrote to Gleick. Dropping field crops such as alfalfa and grains means less feed to produce milk, cheese, ice cream and eggs, he said.

Gleick responded that farmers have been growing more food with less water for years, and some water conservation methods proposed in the report can increase both farm productivity and profits.

Read more farmer reaction to the report from Stockton’s Record by clicking here.

September 26, 2008 · Filed Under Agriculture, Conservation

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