WSP03161

• File Number: 8276.150
• Description: Grand Valley Unit-Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 12/1/1976
• Title: Draft - Grand Valley Salinity Study
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

o

-:~
\~

.-l

.--,

~-.)l AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIC~

2 Cost return data, by crop, was developed for high, medium, and low

3 management levels of water use to determine the impact on yields,

4 irrigation labor costs, net returns and returns to management in the

5 Grand Valley. The cost-return data was prepared for three typical farm

6 operations in the valley: a 150-acre full time unit; a 25-acre part time

7 unit, and.a 10-acre orchard unit. These crop budgets can be used to

8

evaluate the economic incentive for farmers in the Grand Val ley area of

9

increasing their irrigation efficiencies.

10

Levels of Farm Management - Levels of management in the Grand Valley are

11

quite divergent and in general, reflect the degree of profitabil ity of

12

the farm operation and the efficiency level of water use in the farming

13 operation. From available data, it appears that management is the most

14

15
16

17
18

19

20

21

22

significant factor in attaining high on-farm irrigation efficiency.

This includes not only efficient water management, but also efficient

management of cultural practices.

The level of management not only varies with irrigation efficiency, but

also with soil type, whether a farmer is full or part time, and to what

extent a farm manager changes his method of operation based on new

technology.

The Investigation - Basic cost-return data were gathered in the Grand

Junction area on crops grown, yields, prices received for crops, types

23 and cost of equipment used, land values and other variables. Question-

22