Many irrigated acres won't receive enough water this summer to grow their usual grain or root crop. Forage crops also need water for high production, but unlike many crops, at least some useful yield can be gathered when total available water is very low.
To explore this option, consider whether you expect water limits to continue for several more years? If so, a perennial forage would eliminate the cost and time of establishing a new crop each year. Switchgrass is one good choice because it is less expensive to plant, needs water mostly during early summer when water is available, and it can be used either for hay or pasture. Other good warm-season grass options include big or sand bluestem and indiangrass, especially for grazing. Some of the wheatgrasses and bromegrasses as well as alfalfa can work with limited irrigation, but these cool-season plants respond best to water applied during spring. For some irrigators, water doesn't become available until after the most efficient time has passed.
Another set of options are annual forages like pearl and foxtail millet, cane, and sorghum-sudangrass. These forages are relatively water efficient and their yield will be proportional to the amount of water they receive. Small grains like rye, triticale, and oats for fall and spring forage may also work well if you have moisture at those times.
It may not be what you hoped for, but growing forages under limited irrigation may help you make the best out of a bad situation.
Bruce Anderson
Extension Forage Specialist, Lincoln
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