Report: Water productivity of winter cereal crops in the San Joaquin Valley
Over 500,000 acres of farmland in California are expected to come out of production by 2040 because of water limitations from drought and state regulations. While some of this land may be put to other uses, much of this acreage could be left fallow. Finding ways to keep growing crops even when water is limited would help farmers, protect the environment, and support the economy. Winter cereals such as wheat, barley, and triticale could be a part of the solution. These crops are low maintenance and offer growers options for flexible management. They can be grown with little water input, relying mostly on precipitation from the winter rains, and can be harvested for a range of forage and grain products. In some parts of California, winter cereals are grown without any irrigation, but rainfall in the San Joaquin Valley is unpredictable and typically lower than the state average, making dryland agriculture more difficult.
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