Hogs and dairy products contribute significantly to the state's agricultural economy as well. Crops Wheat is the leading cash crop. It is raised chiefly on the High Plains and is the only major crop grown in the state without the aid of irrigation. Because annual rainfall fluctuates, the greater part of the plains is often too dry for cultivation every year. Therefore fallowing land and other forms of soil and water conservation are important.
Corn is the second most important crop grown in Colorado.
However, much of the corn is fed directly to livestock. Hay which includes alfalfa, timothy, and wild hay, is also important, as are plants grown in nurseries and greenhouses for live sale. In some plains areas, barley, grain sorghum, and oats are also grown, often in rotation with wheat. In addition, many stock farms raise both wheat and cattle. Patterns of Farming Irrigation is used on 27 percent of all the cultivated land.