Drought Bill May Enhance Future of Alabama Farming

Drought Bill May Enhance Future of Alabama Farming

Agriculture has long been Alabama's biggest industry and a significant contributor to the state's economy. Only in recent years has it been eclipsed by other industries in our state, including surging automotive manufacturing jobs. To be sure, farming is facing increasing challenges, ranging from continual market pressures to Mother Nature. While little can be done to stop bad weather, I have introduced legislation to help farmers overcome its effects.

Alabama farming once dominated the state's landscape and provided a solid economic base to many rural communities. Most sleepy small towns today were bustling 50 years ago as farmers brought in their crops. While there are a number of reasons for the steady decline in agriculture nationally, Alabama farmers perhaps have been the victim of climate. Studies performed at Alabama universities say the state has lost more than ten million acres of row crops over the last half century. Much of this can be attributed to the Alabama farmers' inability to cope with sporadic summer rainfall.

Recent headlines of persistent summer drought conditions in our state are not new, but many might be surprised to learn that Alabama actually gets an abundance of rainfall. The state averages 50 inches of rain yearly. The problem is that much of it occurs during the winter and spring time when it is not needed. Furthermore, Alabama's soils do not hold water very well and what we do get in the off-season years is soon lost. While we have seen our liquid gold literally flow into the ocean, farmers in the Midwest and western states have enjoyed the advantage of soils that hold their water coupled with an extensive and effective irrigation system.

If Alabama farmers could find a way to capture and use the abundance of surface water we receive each year, they would not only be able to withstand the frequent summer droughts, but also increase current production. Last week, I introduced the Farm Reservoir Act (HR 6331) in the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation would specifically address the problem of drought control by providing cost-share assistance to construct small reservoirs on farms.

For many Alabama farmers, it is difficult or impossible to pump water from streams, lakes and wells during the growing season. However, by collecting and storing surface water in small reservoirs during the off-season when rainfall is plentiful, farmers can have a reliable source of water for irrigating their crops. Furthermore, such reservoirs make sense as population growth places increased stress on existing water supplies and sources.

Another benefit to the small on-farm reservoirs is their potential to actually help the farmer increase crop production by providing a reliable water source. Fifty years ago, Alabama farmers were growing corn on three million more acres of land than today. While we were once producing more corn than we needed, today this is no longer the case, as Alabama actually imports 200 million bushels a year to support our poultry industry. If farmers could increase corn production, Alabama could not only become self-sufficient again, but export to meet a growing national market. Corn will become increasingly important as a source of ethanol fuel production.

As a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee, I have introduced this legislation to focus attention on the great potential of small farm reservoirs. As Congress begins debate on the new Farm Bill in 2007, I am hopeful that my legislation can be included as part of efforts to lessen the impact of weather disasters on America's farmers.

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