California agriculture is successful, in large part, because of the Mediterranean climate and irrigation infrastructure. While irrigating crops is the norm, there are growers who practice dryland, or rainfed, farming. These growers utilize winter rainfall to produce the crop.
Recently, I received an inquiry for dryland farming resources available from UC. With the help of other farm advisors, we located some resources, all of which are available online. There are two cost and return studies produced by UC Cooperative Extension and the UC Davis Agricultural and Resource Economics Department. One of the studies is for dryland safflower and the other is for dryland oat hay. The cost and return studies are intended to guide growers in preparing budgets and making production decisions based on practices that are typical for specific crops and regions of California. The UC ANR Small Grain Production Manual references rainfed systems and how they may differ from irrigated production in terms of seeding rate, fertility and tillage. Additionally, the University conducts statewide wheat and barley performance trials, and some trial locations include rainfed treatments. See the Agronomy Progress Report No. 318 for performance trial results.