Buckwheat
Fagopyrum esculentum Moench
Buckwheat is a short-season annual grain well-suited to Zone 6a Western NY near Lake Erie due to cool summer nights and late frost, used for grain, cover crop, or pollinators. Grows on moderate fertility soils, smothers weeds effectively.
Crop Snowflake Score
/acre
/acre
/acre
years
Overview
Growing Season
- Plant
- mid-June to mid-July (later near Lake Erie) – mid-June to mid-July (later near Lake Erie)
- Harvest
- 10-12 weeks post-planting (~early-mid Sep) – 10-12 weeks post-planting (~early-mid Sep)
- Frost-free days
- 70+
- GDD (base 50°F)
- 1,300
Yield
- Typical yield
- 15 bu/acre or lb/acre/acre
- Productive lifespan
- 1 years
- Labor
- 5 hrs/acre
Market Fit
Active Regional Buyers
Established crop with known regional buyers
Price Trend Stable/Up
Price stable over past 3 years
Supply Below Demand
Regional supply roughly balanced with demand
Multiple Buyer Channels
Limited market channels; primarily single outlet
Value-Added Potential
Strong value-added potential through processing, direct sales, or specialty products
Market Growth Projected
Strong market growth projected
Climate Fit
Hardiness Zone Match
Zone 6a within crop range (3.0-11.0)
GDD Sufficient
Regional GDD (2600) meets crop requirement (1300)
Precipitation Compatible
Regional precipitation (~40 in/yr) compatible with crop needs
Frost-Free Season OK
Frost-free season (160 days) meets crop requirement (70 days)
Chill Hours Met
Chill hour requirement N/A for this crop type or met by default
Climate Trend Favorable
Climate projections remain favorable for this crop in the region
Infrastructure Fit
Equipment Compatible
Standard farm equipment compatible or easily adapted
Storage Available
Dry/ambient storage sufficient; commonly available on farms
Irrigation Compatible
Low water needs or rain-fed viable
Field Layout Suitable
Vineyard field layouts suitable for this crop
Labor Availability
Labor needs manageable with existing farm workforce
Processing Proximity
Processing/packing facilities within viable distance in WNY
Finance Fit
Revenue Above Average
Gross revenue ($465/acre) below regional average
Input Costs Acceptable
Annual operating costs ($60/acre) within typical farm budgets
Payback Period OK
Annual crop; returns in first season
Insurance Available
Federal crop insurance available
Revenue Per Labor Hour
Revenue per labor hour ($93) is competitive
Grants/Subsidies
Grant and subsidy programs available (Specialty Crop Block Grant, EQIP, Beginning Farmer, etc.)
Economics Breakdown
| Avg Price/Unit | $0/lb (2025 NY contract) |
| Gross Revenue/Acre | $465 |
| Annual Operating Cost | $60/acre |
| Establishment Cost | $60/acre |
| Total Input Cost | —/acre |
| Net Return/Acre | $375 |
| Revenue/Labor Hour | — |
| Crop Insurance | Available |
Source: Cornell Cooperative Extension, Penn State Extension, USDA RMA, regional budget studies (2025)
Risk Fit
Manageable Pest/Disease
Low pest/disease pressure; manageable with standard IPM
Market Diversified
Market access diversified across multiple channels
Low Establishment Risk
Low establishment risk; quick to establish or low upfront investment
Climate Resilient
Hardy and resilient to climate variability in the region
Regulatory Burden Low
Minimal regulatory burden for production and sale
Diversifies Portfolio
Diversifies farm revenue away from grape monoculture
Risk data for this crop is being collected. Check back soon.
Nearby Buyers
Data sources: Data sourced from Cornell Cooperative Extension, Penn State Extension, USDA resources, and regional research.
Economics data year: 2025 · Region: Lake Erie (lake_erie)