West Texas encompasses the expansive High Plains and the more arid Trans-Pecos areas. Despite its challenging geography, this region is a major contributor to the state’s agricultural economy. The crops cultivated here demonstrate adaptation to localized environmental conditions. The region’s agricultural output links local rural economies directly to global supply chains.
The Environmental Factors Shaping West Texas Farming
The selection of crops in West Texas is determined by the region’s semi-arid climate. Annual precipitation averages around 20 inches, coupled with a high evaporative demand that quickly draws moisture from the soil. This scarcity means sustained agricultural production requires reliable supplementary water.
For decades, farming in the High Plains has relied heavily on groundwater drawn from the Ogallala Aquifer. The use of this non-renewable water source controls whether farming operations remain economically viable in this dry landscape. As the aquifer continues to be depleted, water conservation and drought tolerance have become the primary factors for crop viability.
The soils in the region, often characterized as sandy loams, also present a challenge due to their lower water-holding capacity and reduced organic matter content. Successful West Texas agriculture requires crops that efficiently use limited moisture and tolerate intense summer heat. This environmental context has created a specialized crop portfolio focused on low water use and high heat tolerance.
Primary Commodity Crops
The agricultural economy of West Texas is defined by the large-scale production of commodity crops, most notably cotton. The Texas High Plains is one of the largest contiguous cotton-growing regions in the world. Cotton is suited to the environment because it withstands the high temperatures and intense sunlight characteristic of the growing season.
Sorghum, in both grain and forage forms, is the second major commodity crop, with Texas ranking among the top producers in the United States. This crop is favored by producers because of its drought tolerance and water use efficiency, yielding consistently even under limited irrigation or dryland conditions. Grain sorghum is used for livestock feed and ethanol production, while forage sorghum supports the extensive regional cattle industry.
These two crops are often integrated into rotation systems, such as a sorghum-cotton rotation, which helps manage soil health, control grassy weeds, and spread out the water demand. Winter wheat is another important commodity, especially in the northern parts of West Texas. Planted in the fall, it utilizes winter moisture and serves as a less water-intensive crop compared to summer-irrigated alternatives.
Specialty and High-Value Crops
West Texas supports a range of specialty and high-value crops that thrive in specific microclimates. Pecans are a significant high-value crop, produced in managed orchards and from native trees along river bottoms, which provide access to reliable water sources. The state is a major pecan producer, and the nuts represent one of the highest-value crops per acre.
Peanuts are another localized, high-value crop, with Texas being the only state to grow all four major commercial types. Peanut production is concentrated in sandy soils and often fits into crop rotation schedules with cotton and corn. Forage crops, such as alfalfa hay, are grown under irrigation to provide necessary feedstuffs for the substantial beef cattle and dairy operations. Limited production of high-value vegetables, including onions and melons, can be found in the Trans-Pecos area where specific irrigation resources are available.