Lack of precipitation so far this season has California farmers and ranchers bracing for a third consecutive dry year that they say could have wide-reaching impact on the state’s agricultural landscape.
2013 closed out as one of the driest years on record, with reservoir and groundwater levels falling to historic lows. The state’s dismal snowpack — with water content at about 20 percent of average for this time of year — also points to how dry California’s winter has been.
The most immediate impact of the dry weather is being felt by the state’s ranchers, who depend on fall and winter rains to keep grasses growing for their livestock.
“Our pasture is as dry as it has been all summer in the hills,” says John Pierson, a Solano County cattle rancher and hay farmer.
Full story by Ching Lee at centralvalleybusinesstimes.com.
