An Economic Analysis on the Transition to Dryland Production in Deficit-Irrigated Cropping Systems of the Texas High Plains

The objective of this analysis was to integrate hydrologic, agronomic, and economic methods evaluate various management strategies by changing crop acreage better manage the declining resources Ogallala aquifer. A non-linear optimization model used estimate optimal water use, mix, yield, net returns over a 50 year period under dryland deficit irrigation scenarios in Texas High Plains. Results indicated that growers could maintain profitability switching from fully irrigated center pivots irrigating ½ ¼ pivots.