Agriculture Diversification

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Agriculture Diversification
Jay Davison, Area Specialist University of
Nevada, Cooperative Extension Fallon, Nevada
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Why Diversify into Alternative Crops?

• Hays are 92 of all crops grown in Nevada
• High risks related to market and pests
• Water is more limiting (economics and political)
• Input costs are increasing while prices are static

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Feasibility Analysis Steps for Alternative Crops

• Marketing analysis
• Crop environmental requirements vs. site
  characteristics

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Examples of Alternative Crops Currently Grown in
NV

• Wine grapes
• Poplar trees
• Nursery stock (shrubs trees)
• Teff

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Wine Grapes

• Reduced water use
• Higher income potential

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Frey Vineyard Project

• Assembled a team of interested people (Producers,
  Businessmen Researchers, Extension, Community
  Members)
• Attended wine grape production class
• Built community support with public presentations
• Pursued outside funding

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July 1, 2001Planting
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2005
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Hybrid Poplar Trees

• Market is growing for various wood products and
  bio-fuels in US
• Poplars successfully grown in Nevada for years
  (homeowners)
• Cheap and easy to test/grow (.20/cutting)
• Real Diversification forestry vs. farming

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Nursery Stock

• Nevada is the fastest growing state in U.S.
• Nevada is one of the most urban states in U.S.
• Every homeowner needs some planting stock
• Almost all planting stock is grown outside Nevada

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Nursery Stock Trial 2001

• Planted 24 varieties (bareroot) March 2001
• Expanded trial to 4 acres in 2003
• First commercial harvests in 2005 and 2006
• Appears to be a commercially profitable venture

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Spring 2002
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Tef, A New Crop for Western Nevada
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Tef Facts

• Eragrostis tef
• Annual grass (not cold tolerant) from Ethiopia
• Seeds (flour) used for injera (flat bread) in
  Ethiopia major U.S. cities
• Source of gluten free flour
• Hay is palatable, digestible, w/high energy
  (horse hay)

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More Potential New Crops

• Turfgrass (sod)
• Sea buckthorn
• Non-gluten flours
• Bio-energy crops

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Alternative Crops Summary

• Do your homework! Markets, Crop Needs, Site
  Evaluation
• Start small to determine crop survivability and
  production potential
• Keep complete records on production and total
  costs
• Expect difficulties and be persistent
• Be willing to market crop directly to consumers