Question

A farmer grows 81 acres of a crop that requires 35 inches (net) of irrigation per year. Water costs $68 per acre-ft in this area. What would the annual water cost be if the irrigation efficiency is 71%?

Answer 1

$22,626.76

Explanation:

Data provided in the question:

Area of the crop = 81 acres

Height of water required in the field = 35 inches = 2.9167 ft [ 1 ft = 12 in]

Cost of water = $68 per acre-ft

Irrigation efficiency = 71%

Now,

Total amount of consumed by the crop = Area of the crop × Height of water

= 81 acres × 2.9167 ft

= 236.25 acre-ft

Also,

irrigation efficiency = Water consumed ÷ Water supplied

or

0.71 = 236.25 acre-ft ÷ Water supplied

or

Water supplied = 332.75 acre-ft

Therefore,

Cost of water required = Water supplied × Cost of water

= 332.75 × 68

= $22,626.76