Irrigation is a valuable tool to mitigate the effects of weather variability
Print
EmailAccording to the latest USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Irrigation Water Management Survey, irrigated farms and acreage in Michigan have increased significantly.
Irrigation is expanding to increase the resilience of helping Michigan farms to increasingly variable weather. Over the last 20 years, irrigated farmland in Michigan has continuously expanded, from 432,665 acres in 2003 to 850,380 irrigated acres in 2023, according to the 2023 Irrigation and Water Management Survey from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS). This is likely driven by increasingly irregular precipitation and prolonged dry periods, which are becoming more common and are expected to increase in coming years, according to “Climate Change Impacts on Michigan Agriculture” by Jean et al., 2024.
According to the USDA NASS Irrigation Water Management Survey, the number of irrigated farms in Michigan has grown significantly, increasing from 3,886 in 2018 to 4,602 in 2023. This addition of 716 irrigated farms over five years highlights the growing recognition of irrigation as a vital component of recent agricultural practices.
In Michigan, corn (grain and silage) and soybeans accounted for approximately 55% of Michigan’s total irrigated acreage. One of the most notable changes is the sharp increase in irrigated corn silage acreage, which doubled from 14,790 acres in 2018 to 29,241 acres in 2023. This growth may be attributed to the increased use of irrigation to secure feed supplies. In addition, irrigated winter wheat acreage expanded from 17,673 acres in 2018 to 26,386 acres in 2023, reflecting an increasing trend of irrigation use across diverse crops and rotations.
Michigan specialty crops are an important part of Michigan’s diverse ag economy, with 306,752 acres of fruit and vegetables grow in 2023. This sector has also seen a notable expansion in irrigation use. Between 2018 and 2023, the total irrigated acreage dedicated to specialty crops increased from 226,583 to 306,752 acres. This rise may be attributed to the effects of climate change, which have prompted farmers to adopt irrigation strategies to maintain the viability of crops highly sensitive to water availability.
One of the most notable advancements is the widespread adoption of drip irrigation, likely driven by the expansion of specialty crop production. From 2018 to 2023, the USDA survey shows that the area using drip irrigation in Michigan grew, increasing from 39,821 acres to 69,941 acres.
Irrigation is becoming an increasingly important tool for Michigan’s agricultural sector as it adapts to climate change. The steady rise in irrigated farmland, coupled with the adoption of more efficient irrigation technologies and scheduling, highlights the crucial role of water management in ensuring long-term agricultural sustainability. As farmers face unpredictable weather patterns, investment in irrigation infrastructure will likely remain a key strategy for enhancing resilience and securing food production in Michigan.
