Irrigation benefits outweigh costs in more US croplands by mid-century

This study explores the economic costs and benefits of existing and expanded irrigation of maize and soybean throughout the United States, considering middle and end-of-century conditions under various future climates. By mid-century, the benefits of irrigation are projected to outweigh costs in an expanding area. Increased crop water demands limit sustainable maize irrigation, but sustainable soybean irrigation is likely feasible across the Midwest and Southeast. Policymakers need to consider local water demand and availability when guiding irrigation policies.

Trevor Partridge, Jonathan Winter, Anthony Kendall, Bruno Basso, Lisi Pei, David Hyndman