Western Irrigated Agriculture: Production Value, Water Use, Costs, and Technology Vary by Farm Size
The largest irrigated farms in the region averaged about 3,300 acres, of which 1,020 were irrigated in 2008; the smallest farms averaged 244 acres, of which 47 were irrigated. Use of improved water-management practices can help producers maximize the economic efficiency of their irrigation systems and the potential for water savings through reduced system losses and managed reductions in crop consumptive use.