Agriculture Water Use and Demand Forecasts Overview

Farmers use irrigation – water from streams or aquifers – to optimize production efficiency and increase income for themselves, their rural communities, and the state. What is Agricultural Irrigation?

Farm Gate Values in 2006 Sources : McKissock, J.C Economic impact of Food and Fiber Production and Processing in Georgia. Center Brochures: to UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, Athens Ga. Row and Forage Crops: $1.5 billion Vegetables: $828 million Fruits and nuts: $306 million Ornamental horticulture: $765 million Is Farm Income Important to Georgia?

Sources : McKissock, J.C Economic impact of Food and Fiber Production and Processing in Georgia. Center Brochures: & UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, Athens Ga. Food Processing output totaled $16.8 billion in 2005 and employed 64,000 Georgians Food products account for 20% of Georgia Manufacturing Output Food products Account for 15% of Georgia Manufacturing Employment Farm Income = Georgia Income & Jobs

Sources : McKissock, J.C Economic impact of Food and Fiber Production and Processing in Georgia. Center Brochures: & UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, Athens Ga. Most of the food, feed, and fiber production from Georgia farms depend upon agricultural irrigation. Farm Income = Georgia Income & Jobs

Where is Agriculture Most Active?

Surface withdrawals Where does Agricultural Irrigation Occur?

Groundwater withdrawals Where does Agricultural Irrigation Occur?

On an area basis, traditional row crops – cotton, peanut, corn, and soybean – fill the largest area. Economically, vegetables and fruit, pecan and other orchards, ornamentals and specialty crops claim a significant share of irrigation water use. What Crops do Georgia Farmers Produce with Irrigation?

In 2008, a severe drought year, farmers had to use 7 to 14 inches, on average, for their row crops. Fruit and vegetables used 9 to 12 inches, except apples where early season frost protection was required. Sources: Harrison, K.A Georgia Irrigation Survey for CES Misc. Pub. January 22, Cooperative Extension Service, Athens, GA. (graph) and Flanders, A. et al Georgia economic losses due to 2008 drought as reported in FSA Loss Assessment Summary. Center Report: CR-09-01, January, UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, Athens Ga. How Much Water is Applied to These Crops Annually?

Preferred Irrigation Systems have Changed over the Years

When you put all irrigators together in region the pattern shows overlapping growing seasons. Seasonal patterns of water use are evident. Most irrigation occurs between May and September Regional rain events lead most irrigators to shut off their irrigation simultaneously What does this Water Use Pattern Look Like in a Region?

What Water Sources do Farmers Use?

Water from a single permitted source may be used to supply water to several irrigation systems in nearby fields. What Water Sources do Farmers Use?

Permits are required for agricultural withdrawals that exceed 100,000 gallons/day – Small pump running all day at 70 gal/min use this much – Most farm irrigation systems exceed this rate Flow totalizing meters are required for permitted irrigators – Reported once per year Are Agricultural Water Users Regulated?

EPD Issues & Manages Agricultural Water Withdrawal Permits  Required since 1988  Specifies location of withdrawal  Types  Irrigated field location NOT specified  Withdrawal quantity NOT specified 15,600 wells (blue) - Floridan and other aquifers 16,700 pumps (green) - farm ponds and streams * fall, 2008; includes current applications

EPD Issues & Manages Agricultural Water Withdrawal Permits  Required since 1988  Specifies Location of Withdrawal  Types GW – Wells SW – Streams, ponds, reservoirs Well to Pond  Irrigated Field Location NOT Specified Change location and area each year Maximum irrigated area listed  Withdrawal Quantity NOT Specified Change days of irrigation each year Maximum pumping rate listed

SWCC Installs& Manages Agricultural Water Use Meters  Required effective July, 2009  SWCC manges installation  Field Locations Mapped  Records water applied to field, NOT water withdrawn from source  Georgia Forestry Commission

SWCC Installs& Manages Agricultural Water Use Meters  Required Effective July, 2009 Started installation 2004  SWCC Manages Installation Grandfather permits – SWCC installs > 2003 permits – owner responsible  Field Locations Mapped Specific Area and Meter Location Wetted Area  Records Water Applied to Field, NOT Water Withdrawn from Source GW – Wells SW – Streams, ponds, reservoirs Well to Pond  Georgia Forestry Commission Annual Field Visits Records Amount Applied (acre-in)

In addressing Georgia’s future needs for water we need to address the question: How much water will be needed to sustain viability of Georgia’s irrigated agriculture through 2050? Approach looks to trends from the past and considers foreseeable changes:  Which crops will be grown; how many acres of each will need to be irrigated  How much water is needed for each crop, each acre – how is that affected by weather  What is the total of acres to be irrigated, and where will those be located  Which water sources will be used  How much water will be withdrawn and applied Forecasting Agricultural Water Demand

Final Agricultural Demand Forecast will be available - Council Meeting 3 Q & A Forecasting Agricultural Water Demand