About Crops
Crops are plants grown for food, animal feed, fiber, fuel, oils, medicines, or industrial materials. Climate, soil, water, daylight, pests, machinery, markets, and local traditions all influence which crops succeed in a region.
Grains
Wheat, rice, corn, oats, barley, millet, and sorghum feed billions of people.
Learn MoreFruits and Vegetables
Produce farming includes hundreds of species with different harvest methods.
Learn MoreOilseed Crops
Soybeans, canola, sunflowers, peanuts, and other crops are grown partly for oil.
Learn MoreFiber Crops
Cotton, flax, hemp, and other plants produce useful fibers.
Learn MoreGrowing Seasons
Every crop has temperature and daylight needs.
Learn MoreCrop Rotation
Rotating crops can improve soil and disrupt pests.
Learn MoreHarvest
Harvest timing strongly affects quality.
Learn MoreCrop Breeding
Farmers and scientists select plants for useful traits.
Learn MoreGrains
Grain crops are grasses grown mainly for their seeds. They provide carbohydrates, protein, oils, and animal feed. Different grains are adapted to different climates and farming systems.
Fruits and Vegetables
Some crops are harvested for leaves, roots, stems, flowers, fruits, or seeds. Lettuce, potatoes, carrots, broccoli, tomatoes, apples, and beans all come from different plant parts.
Oilseed Crops
Plant oils are used in cooking, food manufacturing, animal feed, soaps, fuels, and industrial products. The leftover meal after oil extraction can be valuable animal feed.
Fiber Crops
Plant fibers can become clothing, rope, paper, insulation, composites, and other materials. Fiber quality depends on plant variety, harvest timing, processing, and storage.
Growing Seasons
Farmers choose planting dates and varieties based on frost risk, rainfall, heat, soil temperature, and expected harvest conditions. Some crops need a long warm season, while others tolerate cool weather.
Crop Rotation
Planting the same crop repeatedly can favor certain diseases, weeds, and insects. Rotations with legumes, grains, cover crops, or pasture can change nutrient demand and pest cycles.
Harvest
Grain may need a target moisture level, fruit may need a certain ripeness, and vegetables can become too large or tough if left too long. Weather near harvest can make timing difficult.
Crop Breeding
Traditional breeding and modern genetics can improve yield, disease resistance, flavor, storage, drought tolerance, or nutritional traits. Agriculture has changed crops dramatically over thousands of years.