'Agriculture Wasteland' Across California's Rice Capital
Sept 11, 2022 15:33:15 GMT -5
Post by J.J.Gibbs on Sept 11, 2022 15:33:15 GMT -5
Satellite Image Reveals 'Agriculture Wasteland' Across California's Rice Capital
BY TYLER DURDEN
SUNDAY, SEP 11, 2022 - 12:00 PM
New satellite imagery shows a large swath of California's rice fields has been left barren without harvest as fears of a 'mini dust bowl' emerge due to diminishing water supplies.
Kurt Richter, a third-generation rice farmer in Colusa, the rice capital of California, told San Francisco Chronicle that fields upon fields of the grain have already transformed into a "wasteland."
A report via the US Department of Agriculture shows about 300,000 out of the 550,000 acres committed to rice growing in California will go without harvest. This could potentially drive up sushi prices nationwide because most of the rice produced in the state is for just that.
UC Davis agricultural economist Aaron Smith warned the collapse in rice production in the state will translate to an estimated $500 million loss for farmers, about 40% of which will be covered by federal crop insurance.
Satellite imagery service Sentinel Hub shows a satellite view of the farmland in the rice capital this month compared with the same time last year -- only to reveal many fields appear fallow.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
Richter said rice fields are "abandoned," and a mini dust bowl could emerge west of the Sacramento River in Colusa County. He said this summer's scorching heat and lack of moisture are some of the significant contributors to the area's water shortage.
Not all is lost in the rice capital. In Butte County, green fields can be seen via satellite imagery. San Francisco Chronicle noted, "Butte County farmers planted slightly more acres of rice than last year."
Luis Espino, a farm advisor at UC ANR's cooperative extension in Butte, said water sourcing is critical and is why some rice farms can source more water than others.
Continued at link
BY TYLER DURDEN
SUNDAY, SEP 11, 2022 - 12:00 PM
New satellite imagery shows a large swath of California's rice fields has been left barren without harvest as fears of a 'mini dust bowl' emerge due to diminishing water supplies.
Kurt Richter, a third-generation rice farmer in Colusa, the rice capital of California, told San Francisco Chronicle that fields upon fields of the grain have already transformed into a "wasteland."
A report via the US Department of Agriculture shows about 300,000 out of the 550,000 acres committed to rice growing in California will go without harvest. This could potentially drive up sushi prices nationwide because most of the rice produced in the state is for just that.
UC Davis agricultural economist Aaron Smith warned the collapse in rice production in the state will translate to an estimated $500 million loss for farmers, about 40% of which will be covered by federal crop insurance.
Satellite imagery service Sentinel Hub shows a satellite view of the farmland in the rice capital this month compared with the same time last year -- only to reveal many fields appear fallow.
Source: San Francisco ChronicleRichter said rice fields are "abandoned," and a mini dust bowl could emerge west of the Sacramento River in Colusa County. He said this summer's scorching heat and lack of moisture are some of the significant contributors to the area's water shortage.
Not all is lost in the rice capital. In Butte County, green fields can be seen via satellite imagery. San Francisco Chronicle noted, "Butte County farmers planted slightly more acres of rice than last year."
Luis Espino, a farm advisor at UC ANR's cooperative extension in Butte, said water sourcing is critical and is why some rice farms can source more water than others.
Continued at link
