At the 2024 Irrigation Show and Education Week, attendees will have the opportunity to delve into the latest findings from the 2023 Irrigation and Water Management Survey, which offers a comprehensive overview of irrigation practices and water use across American farms, ranches and horticultural operations.
This 45-minute session will feature a representative from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, who will present key insights from the survey results, set to be published on Oct. 31, 2024.
The IWMS, previously known as the Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey, is the only in-depth report that captures extensive data on how American producers use water in their operations. Covering everything from the quantity of water applied to land and the sources of that water to the types of irrigation systems used and the associated energy costs, the survey’s findings are indispensable to a wide range of stakeholders.
“The presentation will offer a few remarks on the background and history of the survey and provide a high-level overview of irrigation usage on U.S. farms and ranches; the amount of land irrigated, the volume of water used and their sources, the methods used to irrigate these operations, and the expenses tied to irrigation,” says Julie Weber, head, environmental and demographics section for the USDA’s NASS.
The data serves as a crucial resource for agricultural producers, policymakers and private sector analysts alike says Nathan Bowen, vice president of policy and industry advancement for the Irrigation Association. Survey results will shed light on trends in water use and investments in irrigation infrastructure, helping to inform decisions about sustainable practices and water conservation efforts. Attendees will also gain insight into shifts in irrigation between the last survey conducted in 2018 and the current one, enabling a comparison of how water usage has evolved over the years.
Participants in the session can expect to leave with an understanding of the national landscape of irrigation, including a breakdown by state and water resource region, as well as an appreciation for how these trends impact agricultural productivity and economic costs. This information is designed to help stakeholders make informed decisions that will shape the future of water management and irrigation practices across the U.S.
