AFBF: A Majority Of Western Farmers Struggling During Drought

The American Farm Bureau Federation recently surveyed producers in the 13 western states to find how the drought is impacting day-to-day operations.

“Over 85% rated selling off portions of their herd or flock as prevalent or higher, 87% of respondents say there’s an increase in feed costs associated with drought, 77% of them reduced their acreage and see that as prevalent or higher within their region," noted AFBF Associate Economist Danny Munch. "So, making a lot of different operational-level changes to really deal with drought conditions.”

For crop farmers, Munch says many report tilling under or destroying crops to deal with any potential future loses in production.

“That was rated as moderately prevalent. We know in certain areas where there’s specialty crops, like out in California with your almond trees, some producers were bulldozing almond trees or kind of pruning off your fruits and veggies to save the trees. So, you’re really experiencing major changes on a lot of these farms and orchards to deal with a lack of water.”

Munch adds 86% of respondents said that they’ve experienced reduced water deliveries.

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