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- cross-posted to:
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Agriculture is the biggest user of the Colorado River, with alfalfa and other sources of livestock feed accounting for nearly half of the water consumed. Municipal water systems use about a quarter.
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I don’t get why they’re growing alfalfa in the regions least capable of sustaining its water needs.
The alfalfa growers hold snior water rights, so they can do whatever they feel like while everybody else suffers
“They” is also the Saudi government which uses the water to grow alfalfa necessary to raise dairy cattle.
Because “they” (the alfalfa growers & livestock corps) care about short-term financial profit, not long-term environmental sustainability.
I feel like I link this video at any opportunity, but Climate Town does have a really good explainer video on the entire mess with the Colorado River basin here, including the incentives behind growing alfalfa. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XusyNT_k-1c
Alfalfa needs to be dried before you bale it; otherwise (ironically) it spontaneously combusts. It’s cheapest to dry it out on the ground for a while between cutting and baling. If it rains during that time the crop is ruined.
It’s too risky to rely on weather cooperation in a wetter region. Much safer to rely on irrigation in a desert.
The only US chance for survival is a complete overhaul of their political system and real corruption investigation for everyone involved into current administration with real jail times.
Otherwise current scum will just come back again next time.
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