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The top California crops threatened by drought

Just a few years ago, cotton production was booming in Central California, as seen in this 2010 photo of the fall harvest. But the United States Department of Agriculture says California farmers are planting as much as 35% less of some varieties in 2014 compared with last year.

Just a few years ago, cotton production was booming in Central California, as seen in this 2010 photo of the fall harvest. But the United States Department of Agriculture says California farmers are planting as much as 35% less of some varieties in 2014 compared with last year.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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Agriculture is one of the biggest industries in California. But plants need water, and water for farming is in increasingly short supply as the drought gets worse. Here are the top crops imperiled by tightening water supplies in California.

Corn

California farmers expect to plant 430,000 acres of corn in 2014, a 28% decrease from last year.  (Ricardo Lopez / Los Angeles Times)

Rice

Rice grows in a watery field in the Sacramento Valley in this 2013 photo. California farmers intend to seed rice on 450,000 acres this year -- 20% less than last year.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Wheat

Winter wheat feeds these sheep in Fresno County, but farmers are planting 15% less of it this year than last. Some 520,000 acres are expected to be seeded to winter wheat in California in 2014. Meanwhile, 65,000 acres have been seeded to durum wheat, 13% less than in 2013.   (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

And a related item: Ranching

No rain means no pastures. Cattle and sheep ranchers can’t afford to keep feeding their animals hay, which has more than doubled in price in the last few years. Many have liquidated their herds, which has contributed now to smaller supplies of meat and record retail prices.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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