news-tldr.com

The important facts, the open questions, and the sources — without the churn.

← Latest briefing

Environment & Climate

U.S. farmers explore perennial grains to build resilience against extreme weather

Crops like Kernza offer environmental advantages and drought resistance, but lower yields and limited markets slow broad adoption.

Updated Sep 4, 2026 · 14:20 UTC2 reports

The short version

  • A small number of U.S. growers are incorporating perennial grains like Kernza into their crop rotations to withstand drought, prevent soil erosion, and reduce fertilizer use.
  • Perennial grains stay in the ground for multiple seasons, using deep root networks to access deeper water and store atmospheric carbon in the soil.
  • Widespread adoption faces hurdles including yields that are 20% to 40% of local wheat, initial weed competition, harvest equipment adjustments, and limited market demand.
  • The primary challenge going forward is scaling up commercial markets and federal support so farmers can transition acres profitably.

Key facts

  • Kernza, a perennial grain domesticated starting in 2001 by The Land Institute, does not require replanting every year and uses roughly one-third the fertilizer needed for wheat.[ABC News · Associated Press]
  • Last year, U.S. farmers cultivated 3,511 acres of Kernza, compared with 37.2 million acres of winter, spring, and Durum wheat planted or harvested in the 2025–26 cycle.[ABC News · Associated Press]
  • According to Lee DeHaan of The Land Institute, Kernza yields are currently about 20% to 40% of local wheat yields because perennial crops allocate energy to both seeds and root structures.[ABC News · Associated Press]
  • A 2024 United Nations report estimated that soil degradation could lead to more than $20 trillion in global economic losses by 2050.[ABC News · Associated Press]
  • Distributors such as Sustain-a-Grain offer guaranteed price contracts that can pay five to 10 times the price of wheat per pound, but distributor capacity remains capped by low consumer demand.[ABC News · Associated Press]
  • Unlike traditional annual crops, perennial grains currently lack comparable federal bridge payments and subsidy programs.[ABC News · Associated Press]

What remains uncertain

  • It remains unverified whether optimal seeding rates and ongoing breeding can raise Kernza yields to compete broadly with annual grains without declining as crops age.[ABC News · Associated Press]
  • It is uncertain whether major food industry players will incorporate perennial grains enough to generate steady consumer demand and reduce prices.[ABC News · Associated Press]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.