Written by CVI Summer Intern Maya Yost
Scientists have declared 2023 the hottest year on record. The 2021 Idaho Climate-Economy Impacts Assessment from the University of Idaho highlights that shifts in snowpack levels, runoff, and water management decisions will affect water resources – and thereby Idaho’s agricultural industry – in the coming decades. To better understand the impact of climate change and drought on local communities, CVI intern Maya Yost conducted interviews with two Idaho ranchers – Tommy Peavy and Jack Faulkner – to gain insight into the effects of climate change on Idaho’s agricultural sector and the innovative solutions being implemented to sustain their livelihoods.
Maya first met with Tommy Peavey, a fourth-generation rancher who has spent every summer of his life on the family ranch. Peavey works alongside his two sons to operate Flat Top Sheep Co., started by his family in 1929. His father, John Peavey, a notable figure in Idaho’s history, ran for Lieutenant Governor in 1994. John also founded the Trailing of the Sheep festival in Ketchum, which features 2,100 ewes parading down Main Street.
For Peavey, the lack of water is unprecedented in his experience. He reminisced about his childhood when his hay fields yielded two cuttings per season, compared to only half a cutting now. To cope, he has had to switch to less nutrient-dense feeds like Beardless Barley. Peavey acknowledges climate change’s impact, citing a significant drop in water levels in a lake on his ranch as a clear indicator of the problem.
Maya then spoke with Jack Faulkner, a dedicated sheep producer from Gooding, Idaho. Faulkner runs both sheep and cattle on his family’s ranch, which was founded in 1933. Jack’s father, John Faulkner, has spent his entire life in sheep farming, and Jack continues this legacy with operations across eight counties. John Faulkner is also known for his involvement in the Trailing of the Sheep festival, which features their sheep and attracts visitors eager to see the wooly ewes.
One of Faulkner’s current priorities is integrating clean energy into their operations. “We need to do more with clean, renewable energy.” Faulkner emphasizes the importance of adapting farming practices to navigate challenges and sustain their operations. “You know, us U.S. farmers, we’ve got to feed the world, really.”
The ongoing drought affects farmers and ranchers in multiple ways, with rising temperatures being a major factor. “Hot summers are very tough on sheep; they prefer cooler conditions for grazing, and there’s simply not enough cool time available,” Peavey explains, noting that shifts in precipitation patterns are also disrupting traditional grazing practices. “The heat dries out the feed, and lambs thrive on green, tender plants.” He recalls that rain around Memorial Day and mountain showers help rejuvenate grass softening the feed. Without these rains, the feed remains too dry.
The financial burden on farmers is severe. During this time of year, the electric bill for irrigation on Faulkner’s ranch can reach $150,000 a month. This financial strain, compounded by the drought, poses a significant challenge for Idaho’s agricultural community.
However, farmers are nothing if not adaptable. Peavey and Faulkner both shared innovative solutions to continue their operations despite the substantial challenges. Peavey is adapting by moving cattle to higher elevations as early as June or July and focusing on water use efficiency. He explains that his ranch relies on surface water, so conserving water for high-value crops like alfalfa is crucial.
“It’s a way of life. Some years are extremely heartbreaking, but it’s just the way of life,” Peavey reflects. Despite his struggles, he remains hopeful about government support, including drought emergency relief programs that have become more accessible.
Similarly, Faulkner is adopting several innovative strategies to keep his ranch thriving. Inspired by a small-scale hydroelectric project initiated by his father in 1987, Faulkner Land and Livestock is now significantly expanding its renewable energy efforts by integrating solar panels and wind turbines to manage high irrigation costs and provide a steady power supply. The solar panels will be installed high enough to allow sheep to graze underneath, offering shade and extending grazing periods on otherwise dried-up land. Additionally, they are developing a hydroelectric project using pumped storage providing peak-load power to stabilize the power grid, ensuring a reliable energy source when solar and wind output fluctuate. This project also incorporates measures to protect aquatic life in Anderson Ranch Reservoir.
When asked about informing others about their drought challenges, Peavey emphasized, “No one has more concern for the rangeland, the grasses, the health of the community, than a rancher.” Faulkner added, “We are out on the land with our livestock. We run on almost 1000 square miles of public land. So, we have to improve it or leave it better than we found it.”
Both ranchers expressed a desire to leave their land in better shape than it was given to them. Despite the challenges posed by climate change and record heat, Idaho ranchers like Tommy Peavey and Jack Faulkner are innovating and adapting.