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Assessment of Climate Change in the Southwest United States pp 218–239Cite as

Agriculture and Ranching

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Part of the book series: NCA Regional Input Reports ((NCARIR))

Abstract

Agriculture in the Southwest has distinctive features that influence how the sector responds to climate variability and change. First, the region accounts for more than half of the nation’s production of high-value specialty crops (fruits, vegetables, and nuts). California has the most counties where specialty crops (including melons and potatoes) account for a large share of total agricultural sales (Figures 11.3). Other areas that are important in terms of specialty crops include southwestern Arizona, the San Luis Valley of Colorado, and chili- and pecan-growing areas of New Mexico (along the Rio Grande Valley).

Chapter 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.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Arizona, USA

    George B. Frisvold

  2. University of California, Davis, USA

    Louise E. Jackson

  3. Colorado State University, USA

    James G. Pritchett

  4. University of Wyoming, USA

    John P. Ritten

  5. University of Nebraska, Lincoln, USA

    Mark Svoboda

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  1. George B. Frisvold
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  2. Louise E. Jackson
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  3. James G. Pritchett
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  4. John P. Ritten
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  5. Mark Svoboda
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of the Environment, University of Arizona, N. Park Ave Ste. 532 845, 85721, Tucson, Arizona, USA

    Gregg Garfin

  2. University of Arizona, USA

    Angela Jardine , Robert Merideth , Mary Black  & Sarah LeRoy , ,  & 

Endnotes

Endnotes

  1. i

    Chill time is the accumulation of hours between 32 °F-45 °F (0 °C-7 °C) during bud dormancy (Aron 1983; Baldocchi and Wong 2008).

  2. ii

    This would be declared by the Secretary of the Interior in response to specific conditions agreed upon by the seven states participating in the Colorado River Compact: the six Southwestern states considered in this report and Wyoming.

  3. iii

    Rather than emphasizing maximizing yield (crop output per acre), deficit irrigation focuses more on achieving greater output per unit of water applied (Fereres and Soriano 2007). The strategy can involve some sacrifice of yield, but can use less water.

  4. iv

    Both forward and futures contracts are agreements to buy and sell an asset at a specified time and price in the future, with both terms agreed upon today. Futures contracts are standardized contracts traded on commodity exchanges, while forward contracts are bilateral agreements between two parties.

  5. v

    See http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/.

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Frisvold, G.B., Jackson, L.E., Pritchett, J.G., Ritten, J.P., Svoboda, M. (2013). Agriculture and Ranching. In: Garfin, G., Jardine, A., Merideth, R., Black, M., LeRoy, S. (eds) Assessment of Climate Change in the Southwest United States. NCA Regional Input Reports. Island Press, Washington, DC. https://doi.org/10.5822/978-1-61091-484-0_11

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