ABSTRACT
The interrelationship between the food security of the United States and a diminishing water resource balances on the condition of that water resource, the quantity of other substitute resources, and the level of future technology. The 1960s were characterized by chronic surpluses in most nonperishable agricultural commodities. Various land retirement programs were in evidence. In the long run, the consumption of water must be less than or equal to the supply of water. In 1975, the United States withdrew 338 billion gallons per day of fresh water (both surface and ground) for such offstream uses as agriculture, manufacturing, etc. Real energy prices have increased in the past decade and will continue to increase in the foreseeable future. The demand level also influences the levels of change that these variables undertake. The maximum production alternative examines the production potential of this nation assuming a high level of technology along with the 507 million acre cropland base.
