“The 2013 irrigation survey expands on the data collected about irrigation during the 2012 Census of Agriculture and provides the most comprehensive source of up-to-date information regarding on-farm irrigation and water use in the United States,” said NASS Administrator Joseph T. Reilly. “The latest report reveals key data on the agriculture industry’s use and stewardship of our nation’s water resources.”

Data highlights from the 2013 Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey include:

  • The largest portion of irrigated farmland acres in the U.S. were dedicated to harvested cropland – including grain and oilseed crops, vegetables, nursery and greenhouse, and hay crops.
  • Farmers irrigated nearly 52 million acres of harvested cropland acres in 2013.
  • The irrigation results show more irrigated acres with sprinkler systems than gravity irrigation.
  • Equipment, in general, is one of the leading irrigation expenditures, with farmers and ranchers spending $2.6 billion on irrigation equipment, facilities, land improvements and computer technology in 2013.
  • The total amount of water used in 2013 was 88.5 million acre-feet.
  • The average acre-feet applied was 1.6, which compares with 1.7 in the 2008 irrigation survey. (An acre-foot is the volume of a sheet of water, 1 acre in area and 1 foot in depth).
  • Irrigated area of horticulture under protection was 1.4 billion square feet in 2013. This compares with 1.37 billion square feet in 2008.
  • Irrigated acres of horticulture grown in the open was 524,000 acres in 2013. This compares with 580,000 acres in 2008.

The 2013 Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey followed up with 35,000 producers who indicated in the 2012 Census of Agriculture that they irrigate. To ensure the most accurate and complete results, NASS made an additional effort to include nursery and horticulture producers in the 2013 irrigation survey. Producers provided information on water sources and amount of water used; acres irrigated by type of system; irrigation and yield by crop; and system investments and energy costs.

“The results of the Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey can be used to develop improved technology, better equipment and more efficient water-use practices,” said Reilly. “For farmers and ranchers who are looking for more efficient ways to irrigate their land and ways to reduce their expenses, the results of the survey will provide a valuable tool to help them make informed decisions about the future of their operations.”

To access the results of the 2013 Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey, visit the USDA, Census of Agriculture website.  FG

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—From the USDA NASS news release