comment: >
  
  Money. There are dairy farmers who converted parts (or all) of their pastures to being almond farms because it was cheaper than continuing to be a dairy farm. I think something like 30% or more of the almonds are being exported outside the US.
  In terms of the dairy farm costs. The USDA has certain requirements on how long dairy cows, or cattle have to be allowed to graze in open pastures in order to qualify the product being sold as 'organic' which nets a much higher premium and due to the ongoing draughts it was becoming too expensive to maintain those pastures.
context: We really shouldn't be growing such water-intensive crops in a frequently-drought-stricken area.  Anyone know why we grow so many almonds in California?  It's some ridiculous percentage of the US' total production.