There have been many extreme weather events such as drought occurring more frequently in recent years across prime agricultural areas in the West and Southwest. Learning how to become more water aware and utilizing best practices for reduced water consumption are essential for the success of farmers and ranchers – and ultimately, consumers. The USDA’s SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) Program provides a 360 degree view for smart water use around:
- Soil Management
- Plant and Livestock Management
- Water Management
This includes recommendations for approaches such as low-elevation spray application (LESA) vs. central pivot systems for irrigation to help reduce the amount of water needed and resulting cost. There are also other recommendations for increasing organic matter in the soil and crop variants that can help optimize water use.
Precise Nitrogen Application
While fertilizers are necessary to increase production per acre and minimize waste, the ozone layer is impacted by the nitrous oxide. Nitrous Oxide is a by-product of many nitrogen-based fertilizers. Optimizing usage may be done through a combination of soil management, crop rotation, and planting crops which naturally produce higher levels of oxygen.
Though there are no easy answers, there are alternatives being studied and measured for effectiveness. Finding the balance between boosting production while offsetting these hazardous gases is becoming increasingly important as we look ahead to the coming seasons.
Indoor Vertical Farming
Where climate or land usage limitations may affect traditional farming, indoor vertical farming is opening the door to many farmers who are producing crops that would be difficult to grow using conventional methods.
If your growing season doesn’t allow for growing lettuce or tomatoes most of the year, you may be able to “extend the growing season” and produce these crops indoors during the winter months. This could allow in-demand produce to be grown closer to the end consumer, even in urban areas, without it being shipped hundreds or thousands of miles across the country.
There are potential costs and trade-offs, but may be interesting to keep in mind as you explore food production trends.
As you consider these industry trends, how do you see integrating some of them into your agricultural business? While each one will not apply to every situation, discussing these with your trusted advisors may help you identify the ones that can pay dividends for your farm or ranch.