AFBF Analysis Calls Attention to Drought Conditions in Western U.S.

Smith: Following a winter of limited snowpack in higher elevations, conditions are very dry in the Western United States, and water supplies are shrinking. Danny Munch, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said snowpack is like a "water savings account" in the Western U.S.

Munch: It builds throughout the winter and then melts to supply rivers, reservoirs, and irrigation systems during the growing season. When that snow pack is weak, there is simply less water available when farmers need it most. This year is especially concerning. Across much of the West, snow pack levels have fallen well below normal. For example, Oregon has just ten percent of its average snow pack.

Smith: He said when water supply is tight, farmers have to make difficult real-time decisions.

Munch: It can mean fallowing acres for field crops and for multiyear crops like orchards and vineyards, pulling those crops out of the ground because farmers no longer have water to sustain them. On the livestock side, reduced pasture and forage often leads to herd sell-offs. It can take years to rebuild, and our farmers rely on that production to support their families.

Smith: Munch points out that the Western U.S. impacts the farm economy all across the country.

Munch: Over 70 percent of the nation's vegetables and melons, nearly 90 percent of its fruit and tree nuts, over a third of dairy products, and a quarter of cattle production comes from the Western States reliant on snow melt-fed water system, so a very vital part of the country for agriculture.

Smith: Learn more on the Market Intel page at fb.org. Chad Smith, Washington.