The Feasibility of Growing Grains in Sonoma - Marin Counties and the North Coast of California March 24, 2015 University of California Cooperative Extension Sonoma County
Paul Vossen Specialty Crops Advisor UCCE (Sonoma-Marin) http://cesonoma.ucanr.edu pmvossen@ucanr.edu
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Division of Agriculture & Natural Resources
http://cesonoma.ucanr.edu
Sonoma Organic Growers 2012 18,503 acres 3 rd in the state 191 growers 3 rd in the state $44 million in sales 4 th in the state Small-scale 65% < $100,000 gross
Information on Growing Grain
Information on Growing Grain
Sonoma County Ag Commissioners 2013 Crop Report Data
Sonoma County Ag Commissioners 2013 Crop Report Data Field Crops Total = $ 11,890,000
Field Crop Statistics California Crop Area Harvested 1,000 s Acres Yield Per Acre Tons Production 1,000 s Tons 2013 2014est 2013 2014est 2013 2014est Wheat, Winter 345 180 2.4 2.4 828 432 Wheat, Durum 49 25 3.0 3.1 147 79 Oats 15 10 1.3 1.6 19 16 Barley 42 25 1.8 1.7 76 44 Corn 180 95 5.3 4.6 963 439 The U.S. winter wheat seeded area for 2015 is estimated at 40.5 million acres, down 5 percent from 2014 and 6 percent below 2013 CA = 0.85% of USA winter wheat acreage
Grain Prices to Growers Central Valley - Conventional 2014 - $214/ton = $0.107/lb 2013 - $ 233/ton = $0.112/lb 11 per pound 1.7 to 2.4 tons per acre @ $ 250/ton = $425 to $600 per acre (gross)
Small Grains (locally grown)
Grains for Bread Baking $1.76/lb
Barely for Beer - Yields Western 2-row irrigated barely = 3.9 t/acre Western 2-row dry-farmed barley = 2.4 t/ac Mid-West 6-row dryland barley = 2.1 t/ac
2-row barley from China
Organic two-row malting barley $1.19/lb $7.99 for 2.5 lbs = $3.20/lb
Can beer labeled with Locally Grown Grain sell at a high enough price to make a profit? OR.... If beer tastes better made from Sonoma County grains
Growing Grain for Beer Mark Hughes Brewer for Lagunitas: Yes, we would buy hops and grains grown by locals
The Specialness of Sonoma Natural beauty - diversity Climate Good soils Water Clean air High quality wine Diversity of products
What makes wine so good Warm days cool nights Matching variety with growing region Vigor management (rootstock, training system, water management, etc.)
42ºN Cold Ocean Current S.F. California Sonoma County influenced by fog pattern L.A. 33ºN
Great reputation for quality Sonoma County Wines are Special
Wine grapes are profitable because we do it right The perfect blend of fog and sunshine Cultivar- clone rootstock Spacing training system - trellis Water management weed control Pruning - leaf removal Cluster thinning - shoot positioning Disease prevention - insect control Fertilization - mulching - cover crop Bird control - harvest timing Fruit handling fermentation winemaking
Very Special Foods
Excellent Milk
Specialty Cheeses
Great Tasting Tomatoes
Great Tasting Berries
Spicy Olive Oil
Vibrant Cut Flowers
Crops Lost since 1940-50 Prunes: 20,000 acres worth $6 million Hops: 2,800 acres worth $2 million Walnuts: 1,100 acres worth $800,000 Pears: 3,000 acres worth $630,000 Cherries: 1,000 acres worth $624,000 Berries: 670 acres worth $178,000 Peaches: 200 acres Kiwi: 44 acres Figs: 13 acres
Sonoma County Prunes
Maraschino Cherries
Dried Apples
Doug Mosel: Founder of the Mendocino Grain Project (five years ago), and is the principal farmer, grain cleaner, and miller. The project provides Mendocino and adjacent regions with sustainably-cultivated, nutrient-rich grains and legumes. Grows grains at Nelson Family Vineyards in the Russian River Valley south of Ukiah Supports grain growers by harvesting, cleaning, and milling their crops.
Deborah Walton: Started Canvas Ranch, a 28 acre farm, (2001) in west Petaluma, with her husband, Tim. Growing grains for four years, including rye, golden flax, and emmer (called farro in Italy) They grow a variety of grains on 6 acres at their ranch and another 10 acres they lease Launched the nonprofit North Coast Heritage Grain Alliance for farmers, millers, bakers, brewers, and distillers to re-establish a local grain economy.
Leonard Diggs: Leonard is the farm manager for Santa Rosa Junior College, Shone Farm He has experience growing and harvesting Sonora wheat in Sonoma and Lake County. He is a member of the Lake County Grain and Bean Cooperative. Members of this Coop jointly own a combine, used on their individual farms and for custom harvest. They also share grain drills and other equipment.
Mark Lundy: New UCCE State-wide Specialist in Small Grains M.S. in international agricultural development Ph.D. in agronomy from UC Davis. Work on rice fertility and weed management Worked in ag production, research and extension in California, Michigan, Ireland and Malawi. His research and extension program covered Sacramento Valley field crops in nutrient management efficiency, irrigation management, sustainable farming practices, and integrating technology into production practices.