mSTORY, IMPORTANCE, AND PRODUCnON DYNAMICS OF ALF ALF A IN CALIFORNIA

Unlike most crops which have moved east-west, alfalfa gained its fIrst important foothold in North America in the valleys and deserts of California in the 18505 after the Gold Rush. Alfalfa played a crucial role in the agriculture of California before the development of the high value fI11it and vegetable crops which now are widely associated with the state's agriculture. Although alfalfa acreage has declined in recent decades due to water constraints, crop replacement, and urbanization, California is still the nations' leading producer of alfalfa, and alfalfa is the state's third most important crop in total revenue, behind grapes and cotton. Average California alfalfa yields have increased about Yz ton each decade since the 19205, to over 7 tons/acre today. Production methods are primarily check-flood irrigation with 3-1l cuttings/year, depending upon location. Most production is in the San Joaquin Valley of C alifornia (50% ), with an additional 26% from the Low Desert Regions. California is often an alfalfa-deficit state, with alfalfa imported from many neighboring states. Alfalfa will continue to be an important component of California agriculture, due to its indispensability in dairy rations and it~ ir.:;-rdependence with the $3 billion/year California dairy industry. --.'.0 '~