The 2008 USDA Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey confirms what irrigators probably all new−energy expenses associated with irrigation are rising. But if you ask an irrigator, “By how much?,” you’ll get numbers all over the board. The variability comes from the different sources of energy used in agricultural irrigation. But on average, energy costs per irrigated acre (from groundwater sources) have risen 54% to just over $60 per acre since 2003.
Intuitively, based on the spikes in fuel prices over the past four years, one can assume the nation’s 115,000 Diesel powered irrigation pumps have significantly contributed to the 54% increase. But as the chart shows below, other energy sources have not been kind either.
In addition to the rising commodity prices of energy, increased depth to water and additional pumps being added to serve a single irrigation system are helping drive up costs. In order to help control costs, every irrigated hour is going to count in the future. Take steps to conserve energy today.








