
11: Agriculture and Ranching
Agriculture and Ranching considers the climate factors that affect crop production and agricultural water use; appraises the effects of projected climate changes on agricultural water allocation, and on ranching and disaster-relief programs; evaluates the economic impacts of climate change and the potential to accommodate changing water supplies, crop yields, and pricing.
Citation:
Frisvold, G. B., L. E. Jackson, J. G. Pritchett, and J. P. Ritten. 2013. “Agriculture and Ranching.” In Assessment of Climate Change in the Southwest United States: A Report Prepared for the National Climate Assessment, edited by G. Garfin, A. Jardine, R. Merideth, M. Black, and S. LeRoy, 218–239. A report by the Southwest Climate Alliance. Washington, DC: Island Press.

One way to adapt to climate change induced water shortages is to shift the mix of crops grown and to use more efficient irrigation technology.

Many important costs of climate change to agriculture will be adjustment costs, which for tree-crop production can be substantial.

Public and private entities can deliver useful web-based information for climate-change adaptation if they understand user needs and access.
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