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ARS Home » Plains Area » Bushland, Texas » Conservation and Production Research Laboratory » Soil and Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #366456
Research Project: Precipitation and Irrigation Management to Optimize Profits from Crop Production

Location: Soil and Water Management Research

Title: Assessing economic changes due to an expanding dairy industry in the Texas High Plains

Author
item GUERRERO, BRIDGET - West Texas A & M University
item OWENS, RACHEL - West Texas A & M University
item AMOSSON, STEVE - Retired Non ARS Employee
item SUKCHAROEN, KUNLAPATH - West Texas A & M University
item RICHESON, JOHN - West Texas A & M University
item ALMAS, LAL - West Texas A & M University

Submitted to: Journal of the American Water Resources Association
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/26/2019
Publication Date: 4/3/2019
Citation: Guerrero, B., Owens, R., Amosson, S., Sukcharoen, K., Richeson, J., Almas, L. 2019. Assessing economic changes due to an expanding dairy industry in the Texas High Plains. Journal of the American Water Resources Association. 55(3):670-679. https://doi.org/10.1111/1752-1688.12742.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1752-1688.12742

Interpretive Summary: Groundwater availability from the Ogallala Aquifer under the Texas High Plains is decreasing and many farms are no longer able to grow as many irrigated acres as in the past. One way to maintain agricultural economies is to switch to farm products of higher value and in many cases animal food products are of higher value. The dairy industry in the Texas High Plains has experienced rapid expansion in the past two decades. Therefore, scientists from West Texas A&M University and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service assessed the impact of the increased presence of dairies on overall groundwater use, crop composition, and the local economy. A comparative analysis (dairy presence vs. no dairy presence) indicated a minimal impact on total water use due to dairies from 2000 to 2015. Counties with dairies had a significant increase in acres in corn or sorghum silage compared to counties without dairies. During the same time period, the number, size, and employment of related local business establishments have increased economic activity in rural areas. The increased presence of dairies has contributed to the economies of rural Texas High Plains counties without a substantial increase in groundwater extractions.

Technical Abstract: The dairy industry in the Texas High Plains has experienced rapid expansion in the past two decades. This study assesses the impact of the increased presence of dairies on overall water use, crop composition, and the local economy. The increase in water use related to the dairy industry from 2000 to 2015 was primarily due to an increase in demand for drinking by the cows (direct water) as well as an increased demand for silage (indirect water). However, a comparative analysis (dairy presence vs. no dairy presence) from single year indicates minimal impacts on total water use due to dairies. During the same time period, the number, size, and employment of related local business establishments have increased economic activity in rural areas.