Georgia's 2021 Coldest Since 2014 and Per-Acre Water Usage Down

Georgia's 2021 Coldest Since 2014 and Per-Acre Water Usage Down

Bob Larson
Bob Larson
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.

**In 2021, Georgia experienced its coldest year since 2014, with an average temperature of 64.5 degrees.

But, according to www.agfax.com, the temperature was still well above the long-term average of 63.4 and ranked the 20th warmest year overall since statewide records began in 1895.

The warmth was spread uniformly across the state, with no areas of unusually warm or cold conditions.

The year started off warmer than normal, with temperatures above average January through March.

www.agfax.com/2022/01/19/georgia-weather-warmer-wetter-than-average-in-2021/

**The Latest Rural Mainstreet Index shows rising input prices as the top threat in 2022 for farmers.

The index declined in January, though it remained above growth neutral for the 14th straight month.

Overall, the region's reading for January fell to 61.1 from December's 66.7, with 50.0 representing growth neutral.

The region’s farmland price index decreased to a very strong 88.5 from December’s record high of 90.0.

**Updated information from USDA’s Economic Research Service shows per-acre water usage is declining on irrigated farmland, which it’s been doing since 1969.

The average water use per irrigated acre was more than two acre-feet in 1969, declining to nearly 1.5 acre-feet by 2018.

One acre-foot equals roughly 325,000 gallons.

USDA says efficient water application technologies, such as the transition from gravity-based to pressurized irrigation systems, have driven the reduction in water use per acre of irrigated land.

Previous ReportDairy Production Costs Climb and Per Acre Water Use Down
Next ReportProp 12 Impact on 4-H and Vilsack on Next Farm Bill