As a veterinarian, I read with great interest the recent editorial, “Why it’s time for Utah to buy out alfalfa farmers and let the water flow.” As the editorial aptly states, alfalfa is one of the most water-intensive crops grown in Utah. But the piece ignores the impact of the dairy industry, even suggesting this abusive and destructive industry is one of the few agricultural sectors with a future in Utah.
Any discussion of water usage must consider the major consumer of alfalfa — dairy cows. Moreover, the dairy industry is a significant source of pollution affecting the Colorado River, which serves the water needs of 1 in 10 Americans. Dairy produces a significant portion of the region’s nitrogen and phosphorus pollution, which is a major contributor to the algal blooms that plague the river. This is a serious issue, threatening the health of the environment and the people who rely on it for their drinking water.
More concerning, Lake Powell, which supplies energy to 5.8 million households and businesses in the region, is also at risk from water shortages and drought conditions. This threat recently prompted the Biden administration to call for drastic cuts to water use totalling 2-4 million acre-feet or up to one-third of the river’s flow.
If Utah is serious about water, it should consider alfalfa’s major consumer and encourage a decrease in consumption of dairy products and incentivize a scaling down of the dairy industry as well.
Crystal Heath, Berkeley, Calif.