Priority Areas
Michigan has almost doubled its irrigated farmland in the last 20 years to deal with unpredictable weather. More farms are now using irrigation, showing how crucial it is for farming. This includes more irrigated corn, wheat and specialty crops, with increasing drip irrigated acres.
Impacts
Over the past 20 years, irrigated farmland in Michigan has nearly doubled, from 432,665 acres in 2003 to 850,380 acres in 2023 (USDA NASS, 2023), driven by increasingly variable weather. The number of irrigated farms grew from 3,886 in 2018 to 4,602 in 2023 (USDA NASS, 2023). Corn and soybeans make up 55% of Michigan’s irrigated acreage, with significant increases in irrigated corn silage and winter wheat. Specialty crops also saw a rise in irrigation, with irrigated acreage growing from 226,583 to 306,752 acres between 2018 and 2023. Drip irrigation use expanded from 39,821 acres to 69,941 acres in the same period (USDA NASS, 2023). These trends highlight the importance of irrigation in adapting to climate change and ensuring agricultural sustainability in Michigan. The two most significant factors influencing irrigation efficiency are the uniformity of the irrigation system and the correct timing of irrigation applications. In 2024, Michigan State University (MSU) Extension employed various methods, including in-person and recorded presentations, articles, websites and field demonstrations, to educate irrigators and policymakers.
Two new agricultural water efficiency extension educators
MSU Extension hired two educators with a focus on agricultural water use efficiency
and irrigation, thanks to a partnership with and funding from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and
Rural Development. These educators aim to provide local and statewide leadership teaching farmers how to manage irrigation effectively for crop production. Additionally, guidance on efficient water management practices for raising livestock will be offered, ensuring water resources are used sustainably and productively in all aspects of agriculture.
Source : msu.edu