California Drought Continues for a Third Year

Feb 24, 2014

Three Years of Intense Drought Leaves Uncertainty in Agriculture

As the severe drought in California continues for a third year in a row, farmers in the nation’s largest agricultural producing state grow more concerned that their businesses may not survive much longer without water. The usual winter rains failed to materialize again this year, leaving nearly the entire state parched. Ground water wells and reservoirs are quickly becoming depleted, and the recent storms in Northern California have hardly had any impact on the dire situation.

With the majority of fruits and vegetables in the United States being grown in California, consumers can expect food prices to increase as production becomes more difficult and unsustainable. According to California Governor Jerry Brown, this is "perhaps the worst drought California has ever seen since records began being kept about 100 years ago."

With more than 200,000 hectares (over 770 square miles) now lying fallow, farmers are losing income at record levels, which has also lead to a reduction in their workforce, in some cases shutting down their entire operations and laying off their employees. This is not the first time in California’s history that drought has been a major concern. In 1976-1977, the state suffered a major drought, and before that in 1924. However, while the drought we are seeing now in the 21st century is severe, it may continue for longer than the dry spells the state has experienced in the past.

Farmers continue to reduce their water consumption as much as possible (agriculture accounts for 80% of the state’s water usage) and have even switched to growing crops that require less water to produce. All Californians must remain vigilant and continue to practice water conservation by reducing water use for non-essential purposes, including outdoor water use for lawns and gardens.

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.