As Texas producers navigate changing weather patterns, drought concerns, and market fluctuations, many are turning to alternative crops as a way to diversify operations and reduce risk.
According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension agronomist Dr. Calvin Trostle, nearly one million acres across Texas are planted each year in alternative crops such as sunflowers, sesame, Sudan grass, alfalfa, guar, hemp, and other specialty crops. These crops provide producers with additional planting opportunities, particularly when traditional crops fail or weather conditions create challenges.
Alternative crops can offer flexibility and income potential, especially for producers willing to learn specialized production and marketing practices. While some crops are grown under contract and have limited marketing outlets, they remain an important part of many Texas farming operations.
Sunflowers Remain a Popular Choice
Sunflowers continue to hold steady acreage in both South Texas and the High Plains. In the Lower Rio Grande Valley, sunflowers planted earlier this year are expected to be harvested in late June and July. In the High Plains, sunflower production serves both birdseed and oil-processing markets.
The crop’s deep root system allows it to access moisture well below the soil surface, making it attractive in areas where rainfall is limited.
Guar Gains Attention
Guar, a drought-tolerant legume often used in crop rotations with cotton, has seen increased interest as processing capacity expands in West Texas. The crop improves soil nitrogen levels and is commonly used in products ranging from oil and gas drilling fluids to cosmetics.
Current acreage is estimated between 15,000 and 20,000 acres statewide.
Sesame and Black-Eyed Peas Hold Their Place
Sesame continues to be grown primarily in the Rolling Plains and Winter Garden regions under production contracts. Black-eyed peas also remain a contracted crop, with much of the production concentrated in the High Plains.
Both crops offer producers additional rotational options and can help spread risk across multiple commodities.
Forage Crops Fill a Critical Need
Summer annual forages such as sorghum-Sudan grass and hybrid pearl millet account for roughly 500,000 acres statewide. Their ability to be planted throughout much of the summer and still produce harvestable forage makes them valuable for livestock operations and as replacement crops following weather-related losses.
Alfalfa Remains a High-Value Crop
Texas growers plant approximately 60,000 acres of alfalfa each year. Widely considered one of the highest-quality forage crops available, alfalfa plays an important role in supporting the state’s dairy industry. However, production remains heavily dependent on irrigation, particularly in West Texas.
Hemp Acreage Continues to Decline
Fiber hemp production has fallen significantly in recent years, with fewer than 500 acres currently planted statewide. Changes in processing opportunities, production requirements, and regulatory challenges have reduced interest among growers.
Weather Conditions Vary Across Texas
Recent rainfall has improved conditions in portions of South Texas and the South Plains, while drought concerns continue across parts of the Panhandle. Elsewhere, excessive rainfall has delayed harvest activities, saturated soils, and created disease and pest management challenges.
Across much of Texas, producers are balancing heat, moisture extremes, and insect pressures while working to finish wheat harvest, manage cotton, corn, sorghum, and forage crops, and prepare for the remainder of the growing season.
Despite the challenges, alternative crops continue to provide Texas farmers with valuable tools for diversification and resilience in an ever-changing agricultural landscape.
