Farm growers in California are suffering through an exceptional spell of dry weather. Companies in the state’s agricultural sector could face a $5 billion loss in revenues.
Updated: February 27, 2014, 12:00 AM
In pictures: California drought makes farmers go nuts
Sprinklers water a field in Firebaugh, California. After three years of drought in California, farmers may face $5 billion on lost revenue as they struggle to secure water for everything. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
Sheep graze on dry grass in Los Banos, California. About 91 per cent of the state was in severe drought as of last month, compared with 24 per cent a year earlier. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
Rotting pomegranates hang from a tree in an orchard in Firebaugh, California. US Bureau of Reclamation officials have announced that they will not be providing Central Valley farmers with any water from the federally run system of reservoirs and canals. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
Sprinklers sit in storage at Baker Farming in Firebaugh, California. Some farmers have to spend huge sums of money for water wells to irrigate their farms. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
A farmer in Turlock, California turns to heaven after the sky fails to provide him rain to water his crops. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
A worker rakes a truckload of shredded almond trees at Baker Farming in Firebaugh, California. Some farmers are tearing up older trees that cannot get water. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
Uprooted almond trees lay on the ground at Baker Farming in Los Banos, California. Almond farmer Barry Baker of Baker Farming had 1,000 acres, or 20 per cent, of his almond trees removed because he does not have access to enough water to keep them watered as the California drought continues. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
A tractor plows a field where almond trees have once been planted to. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
Almond trees bloom at Baker Farming in Firebaugh, California. Buyers now have to pay a higher price for almonds because of a tightness in supply. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
About 91 per cent of California was in severe drought as of last month, compared with 24 per cent a year earlier, and 68 per cent was rated extreme, which means major crop losses and widespread water shortages. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
The sun rises over the Delta-Mendota Canal in Los Banos, California. The US Bureau of Reclamation officials announced that they will not be providing Central Valley farmers with any water from the federally run system of reservoirs and canals fed by mountain runoff. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP