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Arizonan here. I understand the thought behind the above suggestion in re : cessation of irrigated ag, but the truth is that irrigation has been practiced here

Arizonan here. I understand the thought behind the above suggestion in re : cessation of irrigated ag, but the truth is that irrigation has been practiced here for over a thousand years [the current system is an expansion of / was built on top of the one created long ago by the indigenous people known today as Hohokam] and most of that was done in a responsible, sustainable manner. I certainly agree that a revision of the current practices is indicated. There is a huge amount of water wasted in AZ on lawns, golf courses, fountains, etc etc. A revamp of ag practices [maybe including some of the indigenous strategies e.g., sunken-bed planting] and wise restrictions on frivolous use would be better than eliminating irrigation; AZ is naturally a high-yield area due to the abundance of sunlight and relative paucity of pests. p.s. AZ is home to some of the most water-wise crops in the world such as tepary beans, and the corn cultivar Chapalote which has its gene center here is one of the oldest continuously cultivated food cultivars in the world

jessaustin 8y ago
Thanks for responding. Progress is being made on lawns, but I don't think you're going to be able to get rid of the golf courses in the near future. We're told that Millennials are killing golf so it might happen in another 40 years... I won't miss it. Lawns and golf courses aren't the only reasons that cities need water. As I hinted with the dairy comment, alfalfa is a more problematic crop for Arizona than tepary beans and Chapalote.
- jelliclesfarm 8y ago
  This is true re alfalfa being a thirsty crop and is mostly exported. Demand from China has multiplied multiple times over. [1] Interestingly the reason China needs alfalfa exports is because their aquifers can’t support the demand for forage for their dairy industry. It’s relatively new with the new middle class needing milk. It’s one billion plus that is hungry for stufff they never knew they needed before. Meanwhile dairy in USA is crumbling(not least of the reasons is due to the subsidies). Dairy farmers in the US make less than what it costs. What a mess! Meanwhile, Fonterra co-op in NZ started selling milk powder to China and is losing money. We are looking at a new economic landscape. I don’t even know what to make of it to predict how it will end up. Regardless, it will certainly mean more consumption. And more loss of biosphere and water becoming a more precious commodity than even black gold of the 20th century. Interesting times indeed.. [1]https://www.farmprogress.com/forage/exports-may-drive-2018-western-alfalfa-market https://www.farmprogress.com/forage/exports-may-drive-2018-w...

jessaustin 8y ago

Thanks for responding. Progress is being made on lawns, but I don't think you're going to be able to get rid of the golf courses in the near future. We're told that Millennials are killing golf so it might happen in another 40 years... I won't miss it. Lawns and golf courses aren't the only reasons that cities need water. As I hinted with the dairy comment, alfalfa is a more problematic crop for Arizona than tepary beans and Chapalote.

jelliclesfarm 8y ago
This is true re alfalfa being a thirsty crop and is mostly exported. Demand from China has multiplied multiple times over. [1] Interestingly the reason China needs alfalfa exports is because their aquifers can’t support the demand for forage for their dairy industry. It’s relatively new with the new middle class needing milk. It’s one billion plus that is hungry for stufff they never knew they needed before. Meanwhile dairy in USA is crumbling(not least of the reasons is due to the subsidies). Dairy farmers in the US make less than what it costs. What a mess! Meanwhile, Fonterra co-op in NZ started selling milk powder to China and is losing money. We are looking at a new economic landscape. I don’t even know what to make of it to predict how it will end up. Regardless, it will certainly mean more consumption. And more loss of biosphere and water becoming a more precious commodity than even black gold of the 20th century. Interesting times indeed.. [1]https://www.farmprogress.com/forage/exports-may-drive-2018-western-alfalfa-market https://www.farmprogress.com/forage/exports-may-drive-2018-w...