Farmers Aim to Reap Advantages of Perennial Crops
September 9, 2026
A small but growing number of US farmers are switching to planting perennial—rather than annual—types of grain, and researchers are developing perennial versions of common annual grains such as wheat and rice, AP reports. In Issues, Jerry D. Glover and John P. Reganold detail economic, ecological, and financial reasons why turning to perennial crops—in the US and worldwide—is a good idea. And they offer some policy moves, including increased funding, especially from government, to help accelerate plant breeding programs, identify priority croplands, and expand training for young scientists in perennial plant breeding, crop management, and ecology.