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Water Use for Arizona Agriculture

Writer's picture: Nicole ClementsNicole Clements

Agriculture accounts for a large portion of the water use in Arizona, but that doesn't mean the water is wasted.


From that water use comes production. Crops are grown to either fill grocery shelves or provide essential feedstuffs for our beef and dairy operations that provide essential protein for Arizonans.


Take one acre of alfalfa for example. That one acre of alfalfa will use 5 acre feet of water per year. From that 5 acre feet that one acre will produce:

  • 8.2 tons of alfalfa per cutting

  • An average of 8 cuttings per year

Which means that one acre provides 65.6 tons of alfalfa per year. That 65.6 tons provides 7,872 servings of hay for Arizona's dairy cows. That one acre of alfalfa will provide enough food to produce a year's supply of milk for 3,684 Arizona households!



Arizona's Alfalfa Water Use Comparison Chart
Arizona's Alfalfa Water Use Comparison Chart


That is just one example of irrigated agriculture providing essential nutrients. From the months of November-April Arizona ships an average of 1,500 truckloads each day of leafy greens to the United States and Canada.


Producers in Arizona continue lead the world in agriculture production, being known for their practices and technology implemented to perpetually increase water efficiency. Arizona farmers and ranchers have forever been stewards of the land and natural resources. They work extensively to work in harmony with the environment and what it has to provide. As the years continue, Arizona producers will only increase their efficiency and continue providing more with less.


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