08:27 AM PDT on Thursday, August 21, 2003

By ROBBIE JOHNSON / KTVB

VALE, Oregon - Typically, the irrigation water in Malheur County lasts until mid-October. But not this year. The water supply is being cut off two months early. A three-year drought has already forced some farmers near Vale, Oregon out of business.

The 500 farmers using the Vale Irrigation District have seen the water sources dry up early before, and it will happen in about 4 days. And for the third year, it's happening in mid-august. Crops such as hay, potatoes, and sugar beets can't survive with the water cut off this early.

"This year and last year farmers had to plant quicker grain crops and they weren't able to raise the sugar beets and potatoes," said Scott Ward, the Vale Irrigation District Manager.

Farmers like Paul Zinie will see their water cut off in a matter of days. As a result, he will lose a cut of hay that would have fed his dairy cows.

"It’s a loss we can live with. It's an unfortunate loss. We'd really like to have it, but we will live with it," said Zinie.

Other farmers may be forced to go out of business.

"I don't know everybody's financial situation, but I know some people are close now," said Zinie.

The Vale Irrigation District manager says there's not much he can do, except count on Mother Nature to turn things around.

Right now, only 40 of the Vale Irrigation Districts customers, who are all farmers, are getting water. Two other irrigations districts in the area still have water, but they are also close to running out.