Where you get your water largely depends on your location in Kansas. The western part of the state relies almost entirely on water pumped from underground. Sunday Siomades/Kansas Geological Survey
Alex Millershaski stands next to a seed planter used for crops like wheat, corn and sorghum. Calen Moore/Kansas News Service
Heath Koehn grew canola for the first time this year, turning parts of his field bright yellow. Most canola grown will be shipped to northwest Kansas and processed for biofuel. Calen Moore/Kansas News Service
Black-eyed peas, also known as cowpeas, are another crop option for high protein feed. Calen Moore/Kansas News Service
Canola is expected to increase in acres planted in Kansas, thanks to the expanding biofuels industry. Calen Moore/Kansas News Service
Western Kansas is running out of the water needed to fuel irrigated agriculture. Why is it so hard for farmers to switch to alternative crops?
GRAY COUNTY, Kansas — In dry western Kansas, the sound of artificial rain spraying from center pivot irrigation sprinklers fills the spaces between the small towns.
Irrigation has turned this region into a productive agricultural powerhouse, churning out mill…
