Benefits of Alternative Crops
Cache valley is currently dominated by a few commonly grown crops. However, there are also several alternative crops that are well suited to the climate of the region. Adding these crops into rotations with crops that are already commonly grown can add drought tolerance, lowering risk of losses because of drought. Some alternative crops may also be more profitable than some of the currently grown crops, though in some cases markets may be difficult to find. Learn more about potential alternative crops below.
Explore Alternative Crops for Cache Valley
Below is a list of current and potential alternative crops for Cache Valley agriculture, and their environmental requirements, such as irrigation and frost-free days. You can sort potential crops by Category, Purpose, Frost Free Days, and Total Water Use to explore crops that best suit your needs.
| Category | Crop | Purpose | Average evapotranspiration (in/day) | Irrigation timing (months) | Irrigation days | Total Water Use (in) | Growing degree days (GDD) | Frost Free days required | Germination temp (F) | High temp (F) | Water Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current major field crops in Utah | Alfalfa | Feed | 0.25 | MJJASO | 180 | 45 | NA | 45 | 40 | 104 | High |
| Current major field crops in Utah | Silage corn | Feed | 0.2 | MJJASO | 180 | 36 | 2700 | 115 | 50 | 104 | High |
| Current major field crops in Utah | Grain corn | Feed | 0.2 | MJJASO | 180 | 36 | 2700 | 115 | 50 | 104 | High |
| Current major field crops in Utah | Winter wheat | Grain | 0.04 | ONAMJ | 150 | 6 | 2000 | 95 | 40 | 104 | Low |
| Current major field crops in Utah | Spring wheat | Grain | 0.05 | AMJJ | 120 | 6 | 2000 | 95 | 35 | 104 | Low |
| Current major field crops in Utah | Barley | Grain | 0.18 | AMJJ | 120 | 21.6 | 2260 | 75 | 40 | 104 | Moderate |
| Current major field crops in Utah | Oat | Grain | 0.19 | AMJJ | 120 | 22.8 | 1700 | 87 | 40 | 104 | Moderate |
| Current major field crops in Utah | Pasture | Feed | 0.15 | MJJASO | 180 | 27 | NA | 50 | 40 | 104 | Moderate |
| Alternative forage crops | Sorghum-sudangrass | Feed | 0.17 | MJJAS | 150 | 25.5 | 2600 | 75 | 65 | 104 | Moderate |
| Alternative forage crops | Teff | Feed | 0.15 | JJAS | 120 | 18 | NA | 50 | 60 | 104 | Moderate |
| Alternative forage crops | Forage soybeans | Feed | 0.19 | AMJJA | 180 | 34.2 | 1900 | 40 | 55 | 104 | Moderate |
| Alternative forage crops | Forage sugarbeets | Feed | 0.18 | MAMJJA | 180 | 32.4 | 1250 | 130 | 50 | 104 | Moderate |
| Alternative forage crops | Flax | Feed | 0.095 | MJJA | 120 | 11.4 | 1800 | 92 | 45 | 104 | Low |
| Alternative oilseed crops | Safflower | Oil | 0.12 | MJJA | 120 | 14.4 | 2200 | 120 | 40 | 104 | Moderate |
| Alternative oilseed crops | Sunflower | Oil | 0.24 | AMJJA | 150 | 36 | 2000 | 125 | 50 | 104 | High |
| Alternative oilseed crops | Canola | Oil | 0.2 | AMJJA | 150 | 30 | 1500 | 77 | 45 | 104 | High |
| Alternative oilseed crops | Sesame | Oil | 0.15 | JJA | 90 | 13.5 | NA | 120 | 70 | 104 | Moderate |
| Alternative grain crops | Dry edible beans | Food | 0.12 | JJAS | 120 | 14.4 | NA | 100 | 65 | 104 | Moderate |
| Alternative grain crops | Grain sorghum | Grain | 0.17 | AMJJA | 150 | 25.5 | 2600 | 105 | 65 | 104 | Moderate |
| Alternative grain crops | Lentils | Food | 0.09 | MJJ | 90 | 8.1 | 1900 | 92 | 40 | 104 | Low |
| Alternative grain crops | Pearl Millet | Grain | 0.15 | MJJAS | 150 | 22.5 | 1400 | 80 | 65 | 104 | Moderate |
| Alternative grain crops | Quinoa | Grain | 0.085 | MJJAS | 150 | 12.75 | 2500 | 120 | 40 | 104 | Low |
| Alternative grain crops | Spelt | Grain | 0.04 | AMJJA | 150 | 6 | 2000 | 100 | 40 | 104 | Low |
| Alternative grain crops | Triticale | Grain | 0.13 | AMJJA | 150 | 19.5 | 2000 | 100 | 40 | 104 | Moderate |