Agriculture in Jerome County

Agriculture

UI Extension, Jerome County works in the areas of farm and ranch management and crop production. Contact the UI Extension, Jerome County office at jerome@uidaho.edu or 208-324-7578 for information on current classes and programs.

Land use and climate

There are 387,000 acres within Jerome County, with approximately 40% of the land used for agricultural production. Jerome County’s climate is characterized as dry with an average annual participation of 10.2 inches and relatively low humidity. Temperatures range from an average daily maximum of 91 degrees Fahrenheit in July to an average daily minimum of 17.8 degrees Fahrenheit in January. The average length of the growing season, based on freeze-free temperatures, is 143 days from May 13 to Oct. 2.

Crops grown in Jerome County

Producers in Jerome County grow a wide variety of crops, including alfalfa hay and silage corn, which make up about 45% of the cultivated acres. Hay and corn silage are used locally for the large dairy industry in Jerome and neighboring counties. Other crops include barley, winter wheat, sugar beets, potatoes, beans and spring wheat.

Irrigation

Irrigation plays a vital role in crop production due to the limited annual rainfall in Jerome County. There are approximately 157,000 acres of cropland, of which almost all is irrigated. There are two primary irrigation developments that provide water to the county’s agricultural lands:

• North Side Canal Company. Services about 160,000 acres in Jerome and Gooding counties.
• American Falls #2. Service acreage on the eastern side of the county.

Water supply

Idaho’s agriculture industry is quite concerned with state water supply levels. The last few years have been somewhat dry, and water supplies have gotten lower each year. For those in the Magic Valley who are dependent on the Snake River for irrigation water, the two basins of concern are the Henry’s Fork/Teton Basin and the Snake River Basin above Palisades.

Visit the websites below for monitoring information:

• U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Find Upper Snake River Basin reservoir storage information here.
• USDA-NRCS SNOTEL Data Network. Explore information such as water equivalent reports and precipitation data.