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Welcome to University of California Agronomy Research and Information Center
Delivering scientific, research-based information, resources, education, and on-line tools on California agronomic crops to growers, researchers, industry professionals, governmental agencies, and the general public.
Agronomic Crops in California
Agronomy News & Updates
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Alfalfa and Grass Hay Exports on Track for Another Dramatic Increase in 2017
Added October 16, 2017
The western hay industry is in the midst of another dramatic increase in hay exports in 2017, following similar increases in...
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Friends, Family, Industry Mourn Loss of Steve Orloff, UC Farm Advisor
Added October 10, 2017
Family and friends mourned the loss this week of Steve Orloff, University of California Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor,...
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Announcing an Interactive Webtool for Small Grain Variety Selection
Added October 9, 2017
The beta version of an interactive webtool for California small grain variety selection is now available on the Small Grains...
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2017 California Small Grain Variety Testing Data
Added September 27, 2017
Results from the 2016-2017 Fall-planted small grain variety trials throughout California are now available. These include...
California Fertilization Guidelines
Nitrogen Management in California Agriculture
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program
History of Agronomy at the University of California
What is Agronomy?
Alfalfa
Alfalfa production occurs over about 1,000,000 acres throughout California, with the highest-producing regions in Imperial County and the San Joaquin Valley.
Beans
California farmers grow mainly four classes of dry beans — limas (99% of U.S. supply), common beans, garbanzos, and cowpeas — on about 50,000 total acres.
Bio-Fuels/Bio-Energy
Imported corn and sorghum are currently used to produce bio-fuel in California. However, canola, camelina, sugar beets, and sorghum offer promise as a basis for in-state production.
Corn
Corn is grown on nearly 600,000 acres in California, primarily in the Central Valley. It is mainly used for silage and grain, with a small specialty crop market comprised of sweet corn, corn nuts and popcorn.
Cotton
Uses for cotton fibers range from heavy industrial to fine fabrics. California cotton grows mainly in the San Joaquin Valley on 200,000 to 300,000 acres.
Oil Seeds
Safflower is the primary oil seed grown for oil in California. Sunflower hydrid seeds are grown and exported for oil production. Canola and camelina are showing promise as new oil seed crops.
Rice
California rice is grown primarily in the Sacramento Valley on approximately 550,000 total acres. Mostly high quality medium grain rice is produced as well as some other specialty rice varieties.
Small Grains
Small grains are an important rotation crop in California and include wheat, barley, oats and triticale planted on over 800,000 acres. Wheat is the predominant California small grain crop.
Sorghum
Sorghum is being rediscovered as a valuable rotational crop and forage that can help California meet future water needs, specialty food markets, and potentially as a renewable fuel crop.
Sugar Beets
California sugar beet production began in 1870 and beets have been produced in nearly all agricultural areas. Beets are now grown only on about 25,000 acres in the Imperial Valley.
Wild Rice
In California, wild rice has been grown commercially since the 1970s and is planted in cultivated paddies where yields range from 1200 to 2000 lb/ac.
General question for the Agronomy RIC?
Email us at AgronomyRIC@ucdavis.edu
