Water scarcity is one of the most significant challenges facing the dairy industry, particularly in Texas where the cow population has more than doubled over the past two decades. This growth has come with its own set of hurdles, with water availability being the most pressing.
This issue isn’t isolated to Texas alone, as Sarah Dorland, managing partner at Ceres Dairy Risk Management, aptly noted during the Idaho Milk Processors’ Association (IMPA) Annual Conference in Sun Valley, Idaho, last week. According to Dorland, “where there’s water, there is a way.” Her observation highlights the critical nature of water resources in determining where new dairy facilities and investments are likely to occur.
Migration of Investment Based on Water Availability
“That’s where you’re going to see your different facilities and investment migrate towards,” Dorland says, noting that areas already experiencing significant investments in milk processing, particularly in the Sunbelt, including Texas, may see a slowdown in further investments due to water limitations. She suggests that regions along the U.S. Canadian border, where water is more abundant, will present new opportunities for growth.
“If you run along the U.S. Canadian border, both sides tend to be sufficient in water. In my opinion, that’s what you’re going to see opportunity,” Dorland says.
The Reality of Water Scarcity in Texas
Juan Piñeiro, an assistant professor and extension dairy specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, identifies water scarcity as the prime obstacle for dairy producers in Texas.
“The Panhandle is a semi-desert, with roughly 12 to 18 inches of precipitation a year,” Piñeiro says. To address this, improving water efficiency technologies and practices is critical. “Improving water efficiency with the use of new irrigation technologies, drought-tolerant crops, hydroponic systems, and soil health management, among other strategies, will be key in the future.”
A-Tex Dairy’s Adaptation Strategies
Tom Alger, co-owner of A-Tex Dairy in Friona, Texas, agrees with Piñeiro’s assessment. A-Tex Dairy, which is home to 5,300 cows, faces significant water-related challenges. Alger shares that water scarcity was a problem even when they moved to Friona in 2007, but it has since become a significant challenge.
“The wells’ average flow rate is 400 gallons per minute, and today they might get 150-200 gallons per minute,” Alger explains. “I’ve got some wells holding, while others are dropping quickly.”
A-Tex Dairy has plenty of water for its cows, but feed production is a different matter. “It’s obviously a concern every year,” notes Alger. “We look at what water we have available before we decide what crops to plant.”
To combat water shortages, A-Tex Dairy grows fewer acres of corn and opts for more drought-resistant crops, like sorghum or wheat. “Double cropping is not an option anymore,” explains Alger. By owning 3,500 acres and rotating crops, the dairy manages to feed its cattle efficiently. This year, they plan to allocate 900 acres for corn silage.
Collaborative Solutions
Given the limited rainfall, especially over the last two summers in the High Plains area, water remains a significant concern for producers. A-Tex Dairy collaborates with neighboring farms to purchase additional feed and feels well-positioned for its 2025 feed supply. The dairy also supplements feed with a mix of gluten, distiller grain, and some cottonseed.
The water scarcity issue in Texas’s dairy industry is multifaceted and requires innovative approaches and collaborative efforts to sustain growth. With proactive strategies in water management and crop selection, dairies like A-Tex Dairy are paving the way for a more resilient future in dairy production amidst challenging environmental conditions.
