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WHEAT WAS ONCE KING
Irrigation changed Manteca farming
dairy
Milk production continued to dominate as Merced County’s leading agricultural commodity for 2022 (Journal file photo). - photo by Bulletin file photos
Wheat — and not almonds, pumpkins or even grapes — is what attracted farmers to the Manteca region after the Gold Rush.The crop started appearing in the area in 1850. It was about the only viable crop for several reasons. First there was no irrigation.