“Agriculture is fundamental to California,” Brown told “NewsHour” on PBS. “And, yes, they use most of the water, and they produce the food and the fiber that we all depend on and which we export to countries all around the world. So, we're asking them too to give us information, to file agriculture water plans, to manage their underground water, to share with other farmers.”
David Doll, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources nut crop advisor in Merced County, explained that farmers have been cutting their water use with conservation and by leaving land fallow.
“This drought impacts farming severely,” Doll said. “I think in many cases we don't understand how bad it will affect agriculture until the end of the year.”
UC ANR experts were used by many news outlets for commentary on stories related to Gov. Brown's unprecedented mandatory water conservation efforts:
The environment, agriculture and urban consumers drink up California's water
Robert Rodriguez, The Fresno Bee
As California confronts a snowpack only 5 percent of average, "Everyone is feeling it," said the director of UCANR's California Institute for Water Resources, Doug Parker. Parker said some of the water dedicated to the environment also provides recreation or navigation. “There are a lot of times when water has multiple uses,” said Parker, who is also the strategic initiative leader for the University of California's Agriculture and Natural Resources' Water Initiative.
California's water woes primed to get worse as groundwater is drained
Todd C. Frankel, Washington Post
The most alarming feature of the state's water shortage remains hidden from view, scientists say. California is running low on groundwater. And as the water is pumped up, the ground sinks down. In some places, the pace of subsidence could reach one inch a month for the rest of the year, said Thomas Harter, a UC ANR groundwater hydrologist based at UC Davis. That could end up further damaging infrastructure, such as the state's vital network of water canals.
California's drought probably won't make your food prices rise
Sally French, Market Watch
Consumers will largely be spared of any drought-related price increases, said UC ANR's Daniel Sumner, who directs the Agricultural Issues Center. For one, the affected crops have been mostly field crops, such as rice, cotton, hay and corn silage. Crops like produce, berries and avocados tend to come from coastal regions where water cuts have been smaller and ground water is available, Sumner said.
California's Wasteful Water Habits Run Up Against a Dry Future - and Past
Andrew Revkin, New York Times
The reporter references a presentation that is part of the UC ANR California Center for Water Resources' Insights: Water and Drought Online Seminar Series.
California almonds draining state's water supply
News 10 ABC
California Department of Water Resources estimates the annual almond harvest accounts for up to one tenth of the state's total water consumption every year. Ken Shackel, a UC ANR Agricultural Experiment Station faculty member based at UC Davis, says almonds drink a lot less water than other products when you compare them nutritionally to other crops and commodities. "If something is high in sugar, it's probably relatively inexpensive water wise, and if something is high in proteins and fats especially it's going to be a much higher price to pay."
Tips on how to cut water use
KGET NBC 17 Bakersfield
UC ANR experts in Kern County provide water saving tips. UC ANR Cooperative Extension director Brian Marsh said the office has been conducting drought research and education for many years. UC ANR advisor David Haviland explained that warmer weather this spring is helping flies develop more quickly than usual.