North Dakota

Soybean Gall Midge Emerges As Top-Tier Threat

Mon, 11 May 2026 20:19:27 GMT

Soybean gall midge is no longer just a curiosity or annoyance for many Midwest farmers. The pest is chewing into yield and profitability for soybean growers across parts of at least seven states – Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota.

Iowa State University Entomologist Erin Hodgson reports the pest’s footprint is significant, present in at least 42% of the 45.4 million acres of soybeans farmers harvested across the seven states in 2025.

“At least 19 million soybean acres are potentially impacted by this pest,” Hodgson says, noting that the pest continues to spread. Eight new counties were confirmed in 2025, with five of those being in Iowa .

According to a recent farmer survey led by University of Nebraska Entomologist Doug Golick, the pest has become a major threat in parts of Nebraska. “In the last year or two, soybean gall midge is approaching as near high of concern as herbicide-resistant weeds for survey respondents,” Golick says.

Since 2018, the soybean gall midge has spread to 185 total counties in seven states, including five new counties in Iowa this past year, according to Erin Hodgson, Iowa State University Extension entomologist and professor.

(Erin Hodgson)

Look For Small Orange Or White Larvae

Damage from the insect starts at the base of the soybean plants, largely out of sight. Adult midges emerge from the ground in May and June, then seek out tiny fissures in young soybean plants near the soil line to lay eggs, according to Thales Rodrigues da Silva, a master’s student at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

The larvae cause severe, localized yield losses from 20% to 100% loss along field edges and 17% to 50% reductions in entire fields average under heavy infestation, according to University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Extension. The larvae – small, orange worm-like pests – feed inside the base of the stem, causing plants to wither, die, and lodge (break), with damages sometimes extending 100+ feet into fields. Scouting for the pest should occur after the second trifoliate (V2) growth stage, according to the Crop Protection Network.

This damage in a soybean plant at the soil level shows the result of soybean gall midge larvae feeding.

(University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension)

Because the pest often feeds along field edges, the damage in affected plants is often mistaken for issues caused by compaction or herbicide injury, according to Stine Seed Company .

To confirm the pest’s presence, Stine agronomists recommend digging up compromised soybean plants and splitting open the stem. If white or orange larvae are found feeding within the inner layers, growers should check the Soybean Gall Midge Alert Network tracking system to determine whether the pest has been reported in their area. Next, they should contact their local Extension specialist to help confirm the diagnosis and report the finding if their county is not yet documented in their area.

Cultural Practices Show Promise

Unfortunately, there are few strategies to manage and control soybean gall midge, according to Tony Lenz, Stine technical agronomist.
With no labeled, consistently effective in-season insecticide program and no established treatment threshold, researchers are testing cultural and mechanical tactics that might give farmers at least partial relief.

Tillage ahead of planting — a tough sell in no-till systems — shows some promise in reducing early infestations in current-year soybean fields.

“Turns out that disking alone, at least in (our) study… did reduce infestation,” says Justin McMechan an entomologist and associate professor at UNL.

“There’s a significant reduction as we move from no-till to that… where it’s just disked and planted into, and then disking and hilling (a practice used in growing potatoes), which really is effective, because you’re covering up the infestation site,” McMechan adds.

He notes that even subtle changes in seedbed shape may help by covering fissures or altering microclimates at the stem base.

On planters running row cleaners, McMechan says adjustments at field edges might be one of the more accessible tools.

“There are not huge differences, but they are statistically significant,” he adds.

Field edge management has been another area of experimentation, including mowing or managing dense vegetation next to infested fields. Results are mixed, but McMechan says there are situations where mowing modestly cuts pressure.

“Nebraska saw on occasion where mowing would reduce infestation and lead to marginal yield benefit… we’re talking like 6-bushel differences,” he says, adding that weather and nearby corn canopy can override those gains.

There are no insecticides currently available to control soybean gall midge. A combination of cultural practices and mechanical efforts is likely the best option, for now, to stop or slow the pest.

(Justin McMechan)

Scientists Evaluate ‘Out-Of-The-Box’ Practices

Other work by researchers is pushing even further outside the box to find control measures. At UNL, graduate research assistant Kristin Heinrichs Stark is testing whether a biodegradable surface barrier called BioWrap can physically trap larvae in the soil and prevent emergence.

The work is early-stage and raises reasonable questions about cost and field-scale application rates, but it points to the kind of layered, non-chemical tactics Extension researchers say will likely be needed to address the pest.

Even as these cultural and physical strategies are developed, Hodgson reminds farmers that the ag industry still lacks any clear control option once larvae are inside the soybean stem.

“We really don’t have a treatment threshold, or a rescue treatment option at this time,” she says. “We know that the soybean gall midge certainly can cause yield losses, plant death, and that directly relates to yield. But we don’t really have great answers on like, how many plants does it take? How many larvae per plant (causes yield loss)?”

For now, farmers dealing with soybean gall midge are being asked to combine careful field scouting, crop rotation, and targeted cultural tactics to address the pest as the research community races to find answers and close those gaps.

Specialists from three Midwest universities provided the latest updates on soybean gall midge (SGM) this spring in a webinar, available at the link below:

The Arthur Companies Acquires Minnesota Ag Retailer and North Dakota Ag Aviation Company

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 16:02:01 GMT

Today, The Arthur Companies announced it has purchased the assets of AgriMax and Right Way Ag Aerial Spraying.

AgriMax is an independent agronomy-based ag retail business with two locations—Fisher and Fertile, MN. It was founded in 1998 and had a merger with Ross Seed Company in 2009. Its footprint covers the Red River valley serving hundreds of customers with seed, crop protection, custom application and seed conditioning.

“AgriMax is a great fit for The Arthur Companies because its culture and how they’ve served growers,” says James Burgum, CEO of The Arthur Companies. “We are two independent businesses that have competed to earn growers’ business and trust—first and foremost.”

This acquisition expands the company’s geographic footprint into Minnesota.

“This is a grower base we’re excited to work with,” Burgum says. “It’s new territory for us in Minnesota, but we’ve had our eyes on it for some time. We believe we can provide competitive alternatives for growers.”

Burgum is referring to Arthur’s bid to buy West Central Ag, which was acquired by CHS in 2024.

Right Way Ag Aerial Spraying is based in Casselton, North Dakota. Founded in 2019 by Matt Hovdenes, who will continue as chief pilot, its service geography spans the Red River Valley. Its aerial application services will be paired with retail business provided by AgriMax. Both companies will be rebranded. AgriMax as The Arthur Companies, and Right Way Ag Aerial Spraying will become Arthur Aviation.

“We’ve made the decision to grow. And growth is a choice,” Burgum says. “This is about growing into markets where we want to be a competitor, and competition is good for growers.”

While the AgriMax acquisition doesn’t include grain, which has been a foundational division of The Arthur Company’s business–Burgum says there are natural overlaps in the agronomy business, seed conditioning, and wheat breeding/research divisions.

“Arthur Companies is continuing to look for growth and bring our model of local decision making, family values, local empowerment to other parts of the northern tier,” Burgum says. “We’ve consistently invested back into our business—through good times and bad. We’ve learned through our 120 year history, for us, we need to invest through all the cycles. And we’ll come through this in a stronger position together. We aren’t going to take our foot off the gas.”

Be Prepared: Intense Storm Cluster With 75+ MPH Winds Working Through Upper Midwest Monday Evening

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 19:57:58 GMT

A powerful cluster of storms is forming in the Upper Midwest with a chance for crop-damaging winds and potential tornados in central South and North Dakota as well as southwestern Minnesota, warns The National Weather Service and meteorologist Bret Walts with BAMWX.com.

Walts expects the cluster will release a lot of wind energy this afternoon and this evening as it gathers steam moving east through the upper Great Plains. It could even intensify into a rare derecho storm with hurricane force winds.

UPDATE: The Weather Channel is now reporting a “derecho is likely to strike the Northern Plains.”

“We’ve got a stronger (atmospheric) jet stream moving in with a lot of instability in place still with the heat and humidity across parts of Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Minnesota,” he says.

Walts is paying close attention to how quickly the individual storm cells merge together. He says the faster that formation occurs the more intense the storm has the potential to become.

7/28/25: Intense severe storms are expected to form this afternoon in SD and spread southeastward into MN and IA through tonight. Swaths of damaging winds, potentially 75-90 mph, are the main concern. Be prepared to take action if watches and warnings are issued for your area. pic.twitter.com/wf2rH7eUdD
— NWS Storm Prediction Center (@NWSSPC) July 28, 2025

Walts forecasts the timing as 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. CT for parts of South and North Dakota, while 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. would be the time frame for the most intense winds in northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota.

“If that initial cell to the north shoots out of a lot of boundaries it could lead to the setup becoming a little bit messier,” Walts says. “We’ll know by five or six o’clock that if this thing is not getting organized, then we have an idea it is not going to be that intense. But I don’t anticipate that happening because the environment is very, very unstable and there’s a lot of wind energy. That combination this time of the year normally is not a good thing.”

NOAA says it expects these storms will move very quickly, and it is important to take action when warnings are issued locally. Do not wait until you see or hear signs of a strong storm because by that time it might be too late.

Your Next Read: Insights From Seed Companies on Tackling Tassel Wrap Challenges

No, John Deere is Not Freezing Production or Stepping Away From its U.S. Factories

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 16:48:46 GMT

An online report last week claimed John Deere is shutting down ALL manufacturing in response to the ongoing tariff situation in the U.S.

But we looked into it, and we’re here to tell you: don’t take the bait — or, as the kids say, feed the trolls — because it’s simply not true.

An article authored by Kieran Schalkwyk and titled “John Deere Freezes U.S. Manufacturing in Unprecedented Shutdown” appeared on MSN.com and was aggregated by Google News feeds last week, claiming the manufacturer is “making a radical move that some might think is ‘un-American.’”

John Deere shared the following LinkedIn post Friday afternoon. You can also visit Deere.com for more information on the company’s U.S. manufacturing presence.

The MSN.com post has since been taken down and brings up an error page:

MSN.com screenshot

(MSN.com)

It’s somewhat bewildering timing for this particular misinformation ploy.

John Deere recently put out a blog post outlining its commitment to U.S. manufacturing. The statement says John Deere will invest $20 billion into its U.S. footprint over the next decade, which includes major expansion projects in Iowa, Missouri, North Carolina and Tennessee.

Today, the company has 60 manufacturing facilities in more than 16 U.S. states and employs over 30,000 American workers.

What is true is over the past 18 months, the company has been forced to lay off some employees , and it strategically slowed manufacturing at some production facilities in Iowa in response to depressed farmer demand for new tractors and combines.

Of course, John Deere is not alone navigating a treacherous global farm economy. Machinery rivals AGCO and CNH also made the tough choice to layoff factory workers over the past 12 months. CNH even completely shutdown its overseas machinery imports during the first few days of the tariff policy rollout, although that pause was only temporary.

In February, we updated our popular “Who Makes What Where” feature showing where major farm equipment is manufactured around the world.

Our analysis of John Deere’s global factory network shows that of the 60 John Deere machines relevant to U.S. farmers, 50 of them (83%) are manufactured here in North America. Of all the major farm equipment manufacturers we polled, John Deere has the largest U.S.-based manufacturing footprint other than Canadian-based Buhler Industries, which is 100% North America based.

So, it feels safe to say we can put this rumor to bed once and for all: No, John Deere is not shutting down its factories. Myth Busted. Shutdown the rumor mill.

Your Next Read - All The Details: Inside John Deere’s New F8 and F9 Forage Harvesters

Crop Protection Lawsuits Refocused: What This New State Law Means

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 19:43:51 GMT

Earlier this month, Bayer officials said progress on controlling its Roundup liability litigation was a top priority, and in the next six months something had to develop to mark progress otherwise they’d stop being the only domestic manufacturer of glyphosate.

Today, North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong became the first to sign into law a bill reasserting federally approved pesticide labels are the law, and companies can not be subject to litigation when those laws are followed.

“This new law is crucial for providing the tools North Dakota’s farmers rely on to produce America’s food supply,” says Brian Naber, president, crop science North America and Australia/ New Zealand region. “Without crop protection tools, America’s consumers could face higher costs to provide for their families and put food on the table. By signing HB 1318, Governor Armstrong is supporting North Dakota’s farmers, America’s consumers and the decades of innovation that underpin the state’s proud agricultural history and vibrant economy.”

Read more: Roundup at a Crossroads: Bayer Lays Out Short-Term Window for Finding a Way Forward with Glyphosate

Starting last year, Bayer has worked at the state level with legislators to introduce legislation to put a focus around pesticide labels and liability. In 2024, Bayer focused the policy efforts in three states: Idaho, Iowa and Missouri. This legislative cycle, they’ve expanded to 10, which includes: Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee and others.

In North Dakota, HB 1318 details any pesticide registered with EPA and sold under a label consistent with EPA’s own determinations is sufficient to satisfy state label warning requirements for health and safety.

The bill had strong support in the North Dakota house and senate. Groups supporting the legislation included Modern Ag Alliance, North Dakota Corn Growers Association, North Dakota Department of Agriculture, North Dakota Farm Bureau, North Dakota Farmers Union, North Dakota Grain Growers Association, North Dakota Soybean Growers Association, Northern Canola Growers Association, Northern Pulse Growers Association.

Another state-level bill has passed in the Georgia house and senate and is awaiting action by Governor Brian Kemp.

In its statement, Bayer said: “The enactment of HB 1318 makes North Dakota the first state to reinforce the authority of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) science-based rulings that crop protection products are safe when used as directed.

“Crop protection products have transformed modern farming by enabling effective and safe weed management. Glyphosate has undergone rigorous testing and oversight, with the EPA and leading regulatory authorities worldwide consistently affirming its safety when used as directed. When the EPA makes its science-based conclusions around a product label, this new law ensures that stands.

“Bayer hopes the courts will begin applying this legislation to provide the legal certainty regarding claims about the health and safety warning labels on crop protection products.”

Farmers Watch As Next-Generation Biofuels Chase Market Growth In 2025

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 16:55:12 GMT

Optimism remains high that growth in the biofuels industry will continue under the new Trump administration. In late February, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced year-round E15 sales in eight Midwest states.

“Today’s decision underscores EPA’s commitment to consumer access to E15 while ensuring a smooth transition for fuel suppliers and refiners,” said EPA Administrator Zeldin in a press release .

In Congress, permanent E15 bills with broad bi-partisan support have been reintroduced in both chambers. A permanent E15 rule would increase ethanol demand by 5 to 7 billion gallons a year.

“The President has been, I believe, fairly unequivocal in stating his support for the importance of biofuels in the larger energy independence picture, and he also understands how important it is to our farmers and our ranchers who produce it,” said U.S. agriculture secretary Brooke Rollins during Top Producer Summit.

While the industry is watching the administration closely, green fuel mandates around the globe and those implemented during the Biden administration helped spark a flurry of investment in the renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) markets.

Farmdoc Daily at the University of Illinois counted 23 renewable diesel plants in operation by the end of 2026 with a total capacity of 5.261 billion gallons.

“I do believe U.S. agriculture’s future is in green diesel and green fuels, including sustainable aviation fuel. That’s where our demand growth is going forward,” says Dan Basse, president and CEO of AgResource. “It takes policy and it takes someone at the helm with a budget to make sure that it happens.”

As those investments mature and as a compliment to renewable diesel, manufacturers are also looking to grow the SAF market. In 2021, the Biden Administration set a goal of 3 billion gallons of SAF by the year 2030. Farmdoc Daily estimates that in 2025, there will be six plants online with a capacity to produce 834 million gallons.

(U.S. Energy Information Administration)

“Just in the U.S. alone, there’s about 30 billion gallons of conventional jet fuel used every year,” says Jeff Davidman, the vice president of state and local government affairs at Delta Airlines. “The U.S. airline industry has made a commitment as an industry to replace 10% of their conventional jet fuel with SAF by 2030. That’s 3 billion gallons. In 2022, there were 25 million gallons made.”

This means the industry can scale quickly to meet those targets as long as the demand for these fuels continues. Delta isn’t alone - other airlines like Southwest touted SAF usage in 2024. The airline is reportedly cutting staff, and looking to pull back on sustainable targets.

However, investments in these “green” fuels continue to be announced. On Feb. 3, 2025, Gevo, Inc. announced the acquisition of Red Tail Energy’s ethanol production plant in Richardton, N.D., where it will focus on SAF.

“We’re primarily focused on sustainable aviation fuel and commercializing essentially a brand new industry,” says Kent Hartwig, director of state government affairs at Gevo. “We’ve been able to utilize ag products for renewable fuels for four decades now. As we see changes in fuel usage, that’s going to mean potential changes in ethanol production. How do we continue to sustain this industry? It’s through new markets. Having a new outlet, like sustainable aviation fuel, is an important market driver to keep farm profitability high.”

Even as a new administration takes over in Washington, Hartwig remains bullish despite the vocal calls to increase domestic oil production.

“The president has been crystal clear on his administration’s desire to see domestic energy dominance,” Hartwig says. “We’ve seen multiple executive orders that have laid out his plan for how we continue to be dominant in that area and in both he specifically calls out biofuels. So, while ‘drill, baby, drill’ is what the President has been saying, I also think he means ‘grow, baby, grow’.”

Ag secretary Rollins echoed those same sentiments during a fireside chat at Top Producer Summit in February.

“Remember during his first primary election, President Trump was the first major candidate to support biofuels, and I think that carried him through Iowa in many ways,” Rollins says. “He hasn’t forgotten that.”

“I think what you see in the policy space is the need to have these fuels available in the future,” says Cory-Ann Wind, director of state regulatory affairs for Clean Fuels Alliance America .

Her organization focuses on advancing biodiesel, renewable diesel and SAF policies.

“I think as long as the regulations or the policies evolve, you’re going to see more and more innovation in this industry,” Wind says.

Wind says regardless of what happens in Washington, state mandates and private industry goals are helping keep the momentum going.

“We’re looking at any mode of transportation that uses diesel,” Wind says. “We’re talking about trucks, ag equipment, construction equipment, long-haul semis and even marine.”

As global demand for these new-era biofuels continues to rise, it’s building a domestic market with the potential to improve prices on the farm.

“In 1979, the U.S. accounted for 62% of world agricultural trade and today that number’s down to 12%,” Basse says. “We now need to find another demand driver for U.S. agriculture.”

In 2024, the U.S. exported a record 1.9 million gallons of ethanol around the globe. CoBank put out a report that says those exports are the key to that industry’s growth. It says exports could top 2 billion gallons in 2025 and 2026.

“This is a real opportunity for the Midwest and Midwest farmer to lead in this space,” Davidman says. “This isn’t just U.S. or Delta demand. This is global demand.”

CHS and West Central Ag Services Acquisition Closed

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 21:07:41 GMT

On January 2, CHS closed its acquisition of West Central Ag Services. Officially, the former West Central Ag Services is new ag retail business unit called CHS West Central now part of the CHS supply chain.

CHS announced Jesse McCollum, former West Central Ag Services CEO, will serve as senior director of operations.

“This is an exciting time for our owners and our cooperative as we join CHS and become part of the global supply chain through CHS,” McCollum says. “West Central Ag Services and CHS have had a strong relationship for many years based on aligned visions to advance the cooperative system, serve our owners better and create more value for owners. Now we will do that as one cooperative.”

Additionally, CHS and West Central Ag Services had a 50/50 joint venture in Central Plains Ag Services, based in Hannaford, N.D., which is now wholly owned by CHS and is part of the CHS ag retail business unit located in Devils Lake, N.D.

In late November, West Central Ag Services’ membership voted to affirm the merger with CHS. The total votes exceeded 1,100 active patrons, of which more than 70% voted in favor with the CHS merger (two-thirds approval was required to affirm the merger.)

The vote came after weeks of campaigning for the cooperative to consider a resubmitted offer for purchase by The Arthur Companies, which resulted in CHS increasing its original offer by $25 million.

West Central Ag Services’ previous footprint included grain and agronomy services to more than 3,000 members and 14 locations in west central Minnesota. CHS says its footprint extends to more than 450 communities across 16 states.

Previous Coverage:

West Central Ag Membership Affirms Merger With CHS

Co-Op Board Delays Merger Vote, Farmers Will Consider Two Offers

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 21:29:41 GMT

With a message also posted on its website and social media , the West Central Ag Services board of directors has delayed its member vote on a potential merger.

The original vote was scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 7 after members had an opportunity to review the offer from CHS for acquisition. However, earlier in the week The Arthur Companies launched a campaign alerting farmers of its previously denied offer to purchase the business. This was reported on Tuesday in the story: Can A Last-Minute Campaign Derail An Ag Retail Merger?

The message from the West Central Board reads:

As you may already know, on November 4, 2024, West Central Ag Services received an unsolicited bid to be acquired by The Arthur Companies. Our Board of Directors has reviewed this unsolicited offer and has decided to postpone the November 7, 2024 patron meeting until November 26, 2024 in order to further evaluate this offer. Rest assured, our Board of Directors is taking The Arthur Companies offer seriously and is focused on ensuring the best outcome for our patron members. We apologize for this inconvenience, as we know many of you have made special arrangements to attend the November 7 patron meeting to exercise your vote with this important matter. As always, you may reach out to the West Central executive management team if you have any questions or concerns.

The vote is being held at the company’s headquarters in Ulen, Minn. On social media, some individuals posted concern having the rescheduled vote the week of Thanksgiving citing travel conflicts during the holiday.

CEO of the Arthur Companies, James Burgum says, “We’re grateful for the leadership of West Central’s board of directors for giving their growers the appropriate time and space to evaluate both of these offers. The Arthur Companies would welcome the opportunity to meet with the board and answer any questions they have about our offer.”

Can A Last-Minute Campaign Derail An Ag Retail Merger?

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 18:38:10 GMT

There’s another vote this week getting attention in farm country across Minnesota.

As announced in May, CHS and West Central Ag Services have signed a nonbinding letter of intent for acquisition. The farmer member vote is Thursday, Nov. 6.

“We believe strongly in the value of the cooperative system and think CHS is a great home for West Central Ag Services. CHS is a farmer-owned cooperative that connects farmers to a global supply chain while providing patronage back to owners,” says Rick Dusek, EVP, ag retail, distribution and transportation at CHS.

However, on Nov. 4, The Arthur Companies disclosed they had put in an unsolicited bid for West Central acquisition in April. When the details of the merger with CHS were revealed in the voting paperwork received by farmers, Arthur Companies’ CEO James Burgum launched an unprecedented outreach effort.

“We know, after reviewing the proposal, that our alternative proposal is a stronger proposal for growers’ bottom line,” he says. “We wanted them to make sure as they go in to vote this Thursday and make a decision about the future of their cooperative, they have all the information and all the facts about The Arthur Company’s proposal about who we are and why we’re excited and interested to put ourselves in front of the patrons as an alternative path.”

Three things make this unique in the ag retail business:

This represents a family-owned business looking to acquire a cooperative
Typically, when a company does not get chosen as the winning bid, they don’t reveal themselves
Not only is Arthur Companies making it known they sought to acquire West Central, they are actively asking farmers to reconsider a resubmitted indication of interest

As detailed on ArthurAdvantage.com , the company outlines what is different about the proposals and posts the letter Burgum sent to West Central farmer members, which includes his contact information for direct outreach, and he says there has been a lot of inbound calls.

“This is important that they know there are still alternatives for them as they think about the future of their cooperative,” he says.

West Central Ag Services was founded in 2000, is headquartered in Ulen, Minnesota and has 14 locations.

A State To Eliminate Property Taxes? Ballot Initiative in North Dakota

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 20:28:22 GMT

North Dakota voters are facing a significant decision this fall regarding property taxes and state funding.

A constitutional initiative on North Dakota’s November 2024 ballot proposes to eliminate property taxes based on assessed value, the Associated Press and others report.

If passed, this measure would:
• Prohibit political subdivisions from levying taxes on the assessed value of real or personal property, except for paying bonded indebtedness incurred through a certain date.
• Require the state government to replace property tax revenue to local governments, equal to the amount of tax revenue collected in 2024.

The potential financial impact of this measure is substantial. A top legislative panel estimated the cost of replacing lost property tax revenue at $3.15 billion every two years. This is a significant amount considering North Dakota’s 2023 two-year general fund budget was $6.1 billion.

A similar measure was on the ballot in 2012 but was defeated, with 76.54% of voters opposing it. However, some expect this year’s vote to be closer due to increased frustration and political changes in North Dakota since then.

Supporters argue:

Property tax is viewed by some as an immoral tax that infringes on private property rights.
North Dakota’s strong financial position, including oil and sales tax revenues, could potentially cover the lost revenue.

Opponents contend:

The measure could lead to drastic cuts in various state services.
It may result in a loss of local control over spending decisions.
There are concerns about potential chaos in the legislative and appropriations process.

If the measure passes, several areas could be affected:

Government Services: Funding for Medicaid expansion, hospitals, nursing homes, and education programs might face cuts.
Infrastructure: Money for infrastructure projects could be at risk.
Local Governance: Cities and counties may lose a significant portion of their budgets. For example, property taxes make up about one-third of Fargo’s budget.
Tax Structure: The state might need to increase other taxes or create new fees to compensate for the lost revenue.

North Dakota has recently implemented tax reforms. In 2023, the legislature passed a package of income tax cuts and property tax credits estimated at $515 million. The 2024-2025 budget includes $358 million in income tax relief and $157 million in property tax relief.

Concept AgriTek Expands with New District Sales Manager

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 21:28:10 GMT

Concept AgriTek is expanding their sales team with Ethan Jones, who will serve as district sales manager for customers and dealers in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and the northwest corner of Iowa.

Jones has a degree in precision technology from Lake Area Technical College in Watertown, S.D., and has served in sales and agronomy roles for agriculture and seed companies throughout the region.

“I’m working to learn Concept AgriTek’s extensive product portfolio and be able to apply the Concept AgriTek “A,B,C’s,” Jones says. “I thought that I knew agronomy, but I have realized in these past few weeks that I have a lot to learn. Concept AgriTek has opened my eyes to assessing agronomy, biology, and chemistry; how important it is to start off knowing what a plant or the soil actually needs and using all of that information to help the grower. It isn’t just selling a product.”

After nearly a decade of experience, Jones shares he is excited for the challenge ahead - as is the rest of the Concept AgriTek team.

“We’re as excited as Ethan is to have him on the team,” says Daniel Hensley, Concept AgriTek president. “We grew significantly in 2023 and we have plans to continue that growth in 2024. But we aren’t growing faster than we can manage. Qualifications add up to more than experience and background, our team is cohesive and wants to learn, that’s what it takes to serve the growers we work with. We hire people who truly want to be a part of something that’s a different approach to agronomic sales. Ethan has that drive and is already a valuable member of our team.”

New Survey Shows Labor is Serious Challenge for Ag Industry

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 18:00:19 GMT

A new survey from the Minneapolis Fed found ag bankers rank labor availability as a top concern for their farm clients.

The survey, which was conducted with ag bankers from the ninth district (Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin), found the issue is viewed as a “serious challenge” for 63% of respondents and a minor challenge for the majority of the remaining 37%.

“It’s becoming more and more difficult to obtain the labor needed to operate,” a Minnesota-based banker told the Minneapolis Fed.

The availability of livestock workers was seen as more limited than crop workers and those surveyed also shared that finding long-term help is more difficult than temporary help due to the seasonal nature of the ag industry.

As far as how this compares to past conditions, 39% of respondents said labor availability has gotten “much worse” over the past five years and 44% said it’s “a little worse”.

The Minneapolis Fed attributes this challenge to the region’s low influx of migrant workers and aging workforce.

According to U.S. Census Bureau data, 10% of animal production employees in the area are foreign born, compared to 18% nationally. The number is even lower for crop production with just 5% of workers being foreign born, compared to 32% nationally.

The region also has some of the lowest unemployment rates in the U.S.

At the same time, the median age of workers in the region rose from 51 to 56 in 2021. The number of workers between 45 to 54 has declined over the past decade with a small increase of those between the ages of 25 to 44 and a large increase of those over 55.

Three Midwestern Farm Credit Associations Announce Collaboration

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 15:26:50 GMT

AgCountry Farm Credit Services, Frontier Farm Credit and Farm Credit Services of America announced they have signed a collaboration contract. The three boards will share leadership, planning and technology responsibilities, while local boards, offices and programs will be retained.

“Continual improvement is vital to the long-term success of any farm or ranch,” said Shane Tiffany, chair of the Frontier Farm Credit board. “Our financial cooperatives are no different. As agriculture gets more complicated and our risks and costs as producers increase, we need to know we can count on our lender. This collaboration better positions us for the future.”

Combined, the organizations have a reach of over 85,000 producers in eight states: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

“There are many examples of successful collaborations in the Farm Credit System,” said Nick Jorgensen, chair of the FCSAmerica Board. “This one is unique in allowing each association to share functions where it makes sense, yet retain the local experience we all have come to value from our individual cooperatives and financial teams.”

At the end of 2022, AgCountry, based in Fargo, ND, had a reported loan volume of $11.6 billion. Frontier Farm Credit, based in Manhattan, Kan., had a volume of $2.6 billion and FCS America, based in Omaha, Neb., reported $38.3 billion.

“Our three boards are comprised mostly of farmers and ranchers. We were elected by our fellow member-owners to make decisions ensuring our associations fulfill their mission to current and future producers,” said Lynn Pietig, chair of AgCountry’s board of directors. “Each association enters this collaboration in a financially strong position. By working together, we can achieve benefits of scale that make us even stronger.”

The collaboration is expected to take effect no later than April 1, 2024.

US Treasury Dept. Moves to Limit Foreign Land Purchases Near Military Bases

Mon, 08 May 2023 20:20:32 GMT

By now, you’ve likely heard of the Chinese balloons that made their way across the U.S. in late January and early February and were eventually shot down. The spy balloons, coupled with a Chinese-owned company purchasing land 12 miles from a U.S. Air Force base in North Dakota, have sounded alarms on both state and federal levels.

To limit further foreign activity on U.S. lands, particularly the sale of land, the Treasury Department’s Office of Investment Security proposed a rule on Friday that would require foreign entities to garner U.S. government approval before they are able to purchase land within 100 miles of eight military bases.

Related story: Out-of-Country Farmland Investors: Here’s What The Numbers Show

Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) welcomed news of the proposed rule, which could have blocked the North Dakota land sale to the Fufeng Group.

“This is a good first step to bolster reviews and mitigate threats similar to what we saw with Fufeng,” Cramer said in a statement on Thursday.

The Office of Investment Security is responsible for screening foreign business dealings in the U.S. and has the authority to block or force term changes in sales in order to protect national security.

Backstory on Fufeng Group’s North Dakota Purchase

Fufeng Group says it plans to use the land to build a $700 million corn milling plant, which would create at least 200 jobs, as well as residual opportunities for logistics, trucking and other services.

Many North Dakotans made their sentiments on the sale known, which led to a review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. However, the committee’s review found no issue with the sale.

Related story: China’s Latest Land Purchase Could Pose Major U.S. Security Risk

“More needs to be done to ensure the U.S. food supply chain is secure and independent,” says Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.). “If we do not prevent these land grabs, we are failing to protect our farmers, our families and our country.”

In September, Newhouse, along with 50 other members of Congress, asked USDA and other agencies to take effective action in addressing the potential national security risks that appear to arise from this transaction.

Instead of waiting on the government, some states are taking legislative action on their own.

Missouri Puts Up a Foreign Land Ownership Wall

The Missouri Senate made moves on the issue in April when it backed a plan to amend the state’s foreign land ownership threshold from 1% to 0.5%. The bill also includes a provision that would limit foreign countries — including China, Russia, Iran and North Korea — from acquiring farmland in Missouri by Sept. 1.

“We’re not going to allow for foreign ownership in the state of Missouri,” said Sen. Rick Brattin (R-31). “We have to draw a line in the sand today. It protects our sovereignty as a nation.”

Related story: Missouri Moves to Tighten Reins On Foreign Land Ownership

According to the Missouri Department of Agriculture, foreign land ownership in Missouri accounts for 0.36%, just shy of the 0.5% proposed limit. In total, the department says China owns roughly 42,596 acres in Missouri.

USDA Confirms Planters Have Started Rolling in Every State Except North Dakota, South Dakota

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 21:11:59 GMT

Corn and soybean planting is now underway in every state except North Dakota and South Dakota. USDA’s weekly Crop Progress Report shows while farmers in Missouri and Tennessee are planting at a rapid pace, those in the upper Midwest are already behind.

USDA says, as of Sunday, April 23, 14% of the nation’s corn crop is now in the ground— double the amount of corn planted a year ago . At 14% planted, corn planting is 3 percentage points ahead of average, and a 6-point bump in a week .

Other highlights from this week’s corn planting report compared to average include:

Missouri farmers gained another 28 points in planting pace at 58% planted vs. 18% for five-year average
Tennessee is 49% planted vs. 29% for the average pace
Illinois is 18% planted vs. 11% average
Iowa is on pace with average at 10% planted
Indiana is 9% planted vs. 6 % average

There are some states lagging in corn. Here’s a rundown of who’s already running behind:

Minnesota farmers have 1% of their corn planted vs. 8% average pace
Wisconsin is 1% planted vs. 3%
South Dakota hasn’t started planting corn, and the average for this time of year is 2%
North Dakota is 0% planted vs. 1% for the average pace.

Planting pace and emergence seem to be two different issues, as well. USDA reports 3% of the corn crop is now emerged, which is 1 percentage point ahead of average.

Soybean planting is also progressing, with 9% of the nation’s soybeans now planted. This year’s pace is 6 percentage points ahead of the same time last year and 5 points faster than the average planting pace.

There are several states ahead of the curve this season:

Arkansas is 34% planted, double the average pace
Tennessee is 16% planted vs. 3% average
Mississippi farmers have 34% of their crop planted, compared to 25% for the five-year average.
Illinois has 15% of the soybean crop planted, vs. 6% for the average pace

Tale of Two Planting Stories

We asked the U.S. Farm Report Facebook page for any planting progress updates. The responses reiterated what UDSA’s latest progress report shows: Little to nothing is planted in the upper Midwest and Northern Plains, whereas the western Corn Belt continues to making major headway in planting this year.

Matthew Trefz farms in Winchester, Ohio, and he says they’ve finished planting soybeans already. He says as soon as conditions get dry enough again, they will start planting corn.

Allen Ippensen farms near Quincy, Ill., and planting has progressed nicely in his area. Ippensen says he’s planted 100% of his corn, and 40% is emerged. He says 80% of his soybean crop is now in the ground, with 0% emerged.

Steve Clark is located in northwest Oklahoma. He says it’s too dry to plant, and if the rains do come to fruition over the next five days, he may switch to milo to plant. He says it looks like his drought-stricken area of Oklahoma should get a decent rain later this week.

In northeast Georgia, Anita Anderson Spangler says they are getting ready to plant alfalfa for their Angus cattle. A lush landscape shows the ample amount of moisture received this year.

Corey Gross farms in southern Tama County, Iowa. He says they only have 85 acres of corn in the ground and 340 acres of soybean. He says they put planting on pause due to the cold weather, and he thinks it could be another week before they get back in the field. Gross says the ground temperature dropped 20 degrees in three days.

Farther north, Micah Peterson is on the northern Iowa and southern Minnesota border. He planted some of his crops during the warm weather two weeks ago, but since then, he’s seen snowfall three times, and below freezing temperatures five times. Their area also saw rain. He says the forecasts don’t show temperatures above 57 degrees for at least 10 more days. Now, some in the area think they’ll have to possibly replant.

Kevin Wolsky is still staring at snow in his area. He lives in Carrington, North Dakota, where he says it was 31 degrees this morning.

Similarly, Rob Ruff is in the south central part of North Dakota. He thinks it could be mid-May before anything is planted around him. He says last year, they started planting May 15.

How’s planting progressing in your area? Share your photos and comments below.

Farmers in the Northern Plains Gambled Big with Planting Last Year, 2023 Likely Won't Be A Repeat

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 19:57:08 GMT

The crop progress report from USDA on Monday should show an increase in the overall planting progress pace for several states across the Corn Belt. As the market balances its focus between more farmers getting the opportunity to plant, and the reality of saturated soils and more chances of rain and snow in the northern tier of states, farmers decisions on what and when to plant this year are much different than 2022.

It’s hard to forget last year’s planting debacle in North Dakota and South Dakota . Continued rain pushed the start of planting back to late May. Last year, farmers had every incentive to plant, even if that meant to go past crop insurance dates and take on added risk. Tommy Grisafi of Advance Trading says that’s because commodity prices last year encouraged more farmers to plant.

“Last year at this time, we were $7 December corn on our way to $8 December corn, so those farmers planting on June 6 in North Dakota last year, were planting corn hoping and praying that they had a nice fall, and they did, but that’s not always normal in North Dakota,” says Grisafi. “So for how expensive this crop is in the northern plains, North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota up in Canada, are they willing to put the highest price crop they’ve ever planted into the ground very late and a lot of things have to go right for that to go well?

Grisafi says last year, farmers planted everything but corn, since the price of soybeans, canola, sunflowers and a host of other crops were so strong.

“Now, the price of all of those things, edible beans, barley and everything, have calmed down tremendously. There’s not as much motivation to put in a crop and it not go well. And so financially, it could be a disaster,” says Grisafi.

Kristi Van Ahn-Kjeseth, COO at Van Ahn & Co, says farmers in the northern plains aren’t getting excited about planting crops like spring wheat due to current prices. She says for wheat, as well as corn and soybeans, there are a couple major price levels that farmers need to watch.

“Right now, we’re focusing in on this $5.50 level for December corn. It’s a level that needs to hold,” she says. “You look at recent lows just below it, and so that’s going to be a watch point for us to see if we can stabilize here. We know we generated a good crop insurance price, but that only covers so much when you look at it.

She says the key line to watch for soybean price levels is $13.

“We’ve came down and tested it multiple times, and it just seems to be holding pretty strong. So, we’re going to trust that level.”

Van Ahn-Kjeseth points out it’s a different story for spring wheat since there’s currently not a lot of potential for profitability with spring wheat this year. And if the wet weather pattern continues, spring wheat acreage could drop even further.

“Last year, they did have a really, really late spring. And they took a gamble on it, put it in because spring white spring wheat was so high priced. It actually worked out for them. They had great yields when you look at spring wheat, but this year is a little bit different. The profitability is not so much there. And I think you’re going to look at a producer saying where is the profitability? And I think you’re going to see those farmers start on that corn and see what they can get in for corn first.”

She says the prevent plant rules also changes, where farmers can now graze it. She thinks that may play a big role in more farmers possibly utilizing the prevent plant option, since they can rent that ground out for cattle grazing.

What’s Wrong with the Current Waters of the U.S. Rule?

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 18:26:01 GMT

The latest Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) definition—put into motion by the Biden administration on March 20—was met with a wave of backlash from the ag industry for its “overreaching” jurisdiction.

That opposition was validated on Wednesday when a U.S. District Court Judge, Daniel Hovland, granted an injunction that blocks enforcement of the WOTUS rule in 24 states.

“An injunction at this early stage can avoid the massive waste of resources and delayed projects in pursuit of permits that may soon be legally irrelevant,” Judge Daniel Hovland wrote in his ruling.

Related story: What Bodies of Water are Considered WOTUS?

Hovland’s decision follows a similar injunction that was filed in Texas on March 20, which effectively blocked WOTUS enforcement in Texas and Idaho. He says the EPA’s final WOTUS rule was premature, as the pending U.S. Supreme Court WOTUS case will settle the dispute in all affected states.

So, what makes EPA’s final WOTUS rule “unlawful” and worthy of an injunction? Ethan Lane, vice president of government affairs at NCBA, says it comes down to bureaucracy.

What’s Wrong with WOTUS?

Under the current rule, the following bodies of water are considered WOTUS and therefore subject to federal regulation:

• Traditional navigable waters
• Tributaries that contribute perennial or intermittent flow to such waters
• Certain ditches that meet specific criteria related to flow and function
• Certain lakes and ponds
• Impoundments of otherwise jurisdictional waters
• Wetlands that are adjacent to jurisdictional waters

Lane says the EPA’s WOTUS “patchwork” in words like “certain lakes and ponds” has carved-out room for discretion. He says this discretion will rob policymakers and landowners of time and money.

“As I understand it, this rule says EPA is going to determine jurisdiction on a case-by-case basis—that just blows me away,” Lane says. “This is never the way you want a bureaucracy to interact with your private businesses.”

Richard Gupton, senior vice president of public policy and counsel at the Ag Retailers Association, echoed Lane.

“Rushing the new rule out only served to increase uncertainty for the ag retail industry while eroding [landowners] trust in the EPA’s deliberations and stakeholder consultations.”

The remedy, according to Lane, is for EPA to define exactly what the land and water “safe harbors” are and remove any room for opinion. And Lane isn’t alone in that thought.

“This isn’t just a philosophical dispute: farmers and ranchers in the remaining states are left with no clear way to determine where federal jurisdiction begins and ends on their own property,” said Zippy Duvall, Farm Bureau president, in a press release . “With the rule now on hold in more than half the country, EPA and the U.S. Army Corps should do the right thing by listening to our legitimate concerns and rewriting the rule to draw a bright line of jurisdiction.”

Prevent Plant Concerns Heat Up As the Upper Midwest Could See the Worst Winter Storm of the Year

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 18:23:34 GMT

Two to three feet of snow is forecast to fall over parts of South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota this week. The area is already seeing historic snowpack, and with another storm on the way, some market watchers are beginning to question if 92 million acres of corn can actually get planted this year.

It’s been a long winter for those in the upper Midwest, and this week’s forecast could bring the biggest winter storm yet. The storm is also bringing 40 to 50 mph winds, which will make it tough for ranchers and cattle producers in the middle of calving season. Blizzard warnings have been issued for six states, including Wyoming, northeast Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota.

A significant April snowstorm is set to begin across the Intermountain West, central Rockies, and parts of the central High Plains today before spreading into the northern Plains and Upper Midwest on Tuesday. See the latest Key Messages for more information. pic.twitter.com/C6n9iS5ij5
— NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) April 3, 2023

⚠️ STORM UPDATE FOR MONDAY NIGHT - WEDNESDAY

- Travel impacts are expected, worsening further north and west where a blizzard is possible.
- The heaviest snow has shifted northwest, but 40-50+ mph gusts are expected!

Continue to monitor the forecast for updates! pic.twitter.com/mdvjZLekni
— NWS Sioux Falls (@NWSSiouxFalls) April 2, 2023

The late winter storm comes on the heels of USDA’s Prospective Plantings Report on Friday. USDA’s March plantings report showed farmers plan to plant more corn than soybeans this year.

Corn: 91.9 million, up 4% from 2022
Soybeans: 87.51 million, up slightly from 2022
All Wheat: 49.9 million, up 9% from 2022
Cotton: 11.3 million, down 18% from 2022

USDA also projects 318.1 million acres of principle crops to be planted this year. That’s 6 million more acres than in 2022 and nearly 1 million more acres than farmers planted in 2021.

A powerful snowstorm will evolve into a dangerous blizzard and drop more than 2 feet of snow across parts of the north-central US this week: https://t.co/T4WCyYiDMz pic.twitter.com/ESQlcbmsq0
— Breaking Weather by AccuWeather (@breakingweather) April 3, 2023

Peter Meyer of S&P Global Commodity Insights says the thing to watch is where farmers plan to plant more corn, especially in the northern tier of states that are facing historic snowfall and winter moisture, with another winter storm on the way.

“It’s where the corn acres sit, 1.3 million acres in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota, which from all indications farmers will not be able to get into the field to plant until mid-April when the temperature breaks,” Meyer says. “They’re looking at record snowpack with more cold temperatures coming. But USDA’s report does makes sense, because economically speaking, farmers should be planting corn.”

USDA shows North Dakota’s corn acres could be up a whopping 27% from last year.

It’s still early in the year, but with the latest winter storm forecast, along with flood forecasts already pointing to an elevated risk of flooding this year in parts of the Midwest, conversations about possible prevent plant are also surfacing.

Tregg Cronin, a farmer and market analyst in South Dakota, says it’s too early to talk about prevent plant, but he points out conditions are ripe for planting delays across North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

“If we’re experiencing the same weather conditions three weeks from now, I don’t think it’s going to be a stretch, and we will have some prevent plant this year. That’s almost a certainty in some regions,” Cronin said two weeks ago on U.S. Farm Report. “The other thing to remember is a lot of our area ended the year fairly empty on soil moisture. A lot of what we’ve seen this winter has gone in the ground, so I think we’re going to see a nice recharge of soil profiles.”

MORE Snow in the Northern US? + Crude Rally https://t.co/Tz9pdaIjgf via @YouTube #corn #soybeans #wheat #crudeoil #USDA pic.twitter.com/hB17Pjdd4w
— Joe Vaclavik (@StandardGrain) April 3, 2023

As a farmer in an area of South Dakota that was plagued with drought conditions in 2022, Cronin says he’s more concerned about recharging the moisture in his soils than he is about getting into the field at this point in the season. However, there’s a caveat.

“If these forecasts don’t change, and we’re into the middle of April and still looking at below-normal temperatures and snow to melt, then prevent plant discussions are really going to ramp up, which will be interesting with acres already so tight for everything from specialties to corn to soybeans to wheat,” Cronin says. “Everybody needs acres this year. If it does play out over the next few weeks, you’re going to start to see markets get a little bit jumpy, I think.”

Just a wee bit of snow in the field 😂❄️ pic.twitter.com/p3uyyEJ01l
— 👣 Barefoot’n Farmer 👣 🇺🇸🚤🇺🇸 (@LouieDN) April 1, 2023

Dan Bosse of Bolt Marketing also resides in South Dakota, an area that was concerned about planting issues even before this week’s storm.

“With the snowpack up here, and a possibly colder start to the spring, that really puts into question spring wheat acres, and the market’s job might be to make sure those acres get planted. Usually that means higher prices,” Bosse says. “But to Tregg’s point, we are a little early to talk about planting delays. We don’t usually see a rally until the May timeframe when the progress reports come out and they show we’re behind.”

There have been reports of farmers who increased their prevent plant coverage, which could be another sign farmers in the northern Corn Belt are worried about planting issues this spring.

NOAA’s spring flood outlook says snow water equivalent values (SWE) across the upper Mississippi River are the biggest factor leading to their projection of possible flooding this year due to spring melt.

As of March 20, 2023, the SWE amounts across northern and central Minnesota were between 5 and 7 inches. In Wisconsin, that amount is between 6 to 8 inches.

“These values are in the top 10% to 20% of the historical record and are the primary driver of the above-normal chance of flooding along the Mississippi River,” NOAA said in its outlook. “SWE values significantly drop along a line from roughly Austin, Minn. to Wausau, Wis.”

Farming The Northern Plains: Wheat Is A Winner, Corn Is A Headache

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 20:26:34 GMT

What are the critical decision points for farmers in the northern plains?

Dr. Lee Briese of Central Ag Consulting. Jamestown, ND, says while farmers can get a lot of work done in a short time frame, the best thing they can do to get ready for spring is set their priorities.

“The planting priorities are number one,” he says. “Then pre emerge herbicide sprays re number two. And then we’re actually shifting our fertilizer applications like in corn to a number three priority. Granted, we need that for later on, but we’ve got some time there to do it after planting, so we’re going to focus on getting the planting and that early spraying done.”

While current forecasts are indicating a potential later start to planting, Briese says farmers are busy planning, and weighing their crop decisions.

“It does start to feel late after Easter and we get a lot of snow,” he says. “But we typically get rolling the last week of April, and get a fair amount done through early May.”

He says spring wheat is still a “winner” for farmers based on the economics. Generally he refers to corn production as “a headache” for farmers, unless the planting season does get late and farmers have the logistics to support corn production.

While he’s looking at a blanket of snow right now, he says the frost underneath isn’t too thick.

“Probably the one shining positive in this whole thing is that we don’t have real deep frost in the soil. Our soils are not frozen very deep like they typically are, so we’re kind of hoping that when the melt starts and a lot of this moisture is going to be able to seek in rather than have to run off. We could use a little recharge,” Briese says.

In addition to crop mix and planting timing, Briese is watching two agronomic trends: biologicals and cover crops.

“I’m really looking forward to the potential for some of these new biologicals,” Briese says. “But I think we really need to focus on putting them in the right place. We’ve seen some hits and misses in part because some of our really good ground is already benefiting from native biologicals, but then we’ve got some ground that the soils not quite as good as it could be. So maybe that’s a place to try some of the biologicals, but I think we haven’t quite figured out the placement.”

As for cover crops, he’s seen practical use of cover crops especially in challenging conditions.

“When we’ve had some difficult planting seasons–like we’re approaching now–we maybe can get most of the field planted and some of that field is going to be underwater. That’s where I’ve seen more cover crops come in later into those once underwater areas as a weed fighting tool and a water management tool. That’s one way cover crops have been working.”

Major Flooding Possible After Exceptional Drought in North Dakota

Fri, 04 Mar 2022 15:34:53 GMT

If you are wondering how a location can move from an exceptional drought to a major flood in a short period of time, you might want to watch the Red River Valley between North Dakota and Minnesota.

North Dakota suffered from a major drought in 2021 with an exceptional drought or a category four drought (D4) based on a scale from D0 to D4 with D4 being the most intense drought. All the counties in eastern North Dakota along the Red River Valley were rated at least D3 (or extreme drought) based on the drought monitor map published on August 24, 2021.

“Cass, Traill and Grand Forks counties were even in worse conditions with D4 or exceptional drought,” says Adnan Akyuz, state climatologist and professor of climatological practices at North Dakota State University (NDSU).

The 2021 drought was a record-breaking drought in many aspects. For instance, none of the counties mentioned above were in D4 prior to 2021. In fact, more than 17% of the state was suffering from an exceptional drought in 2021. It was the most extensive drought coverage in such intensity on record, and it was also the most extensive drought coverage in D3, D2 and D1 intensities on record.

“100% of the state was in drought 11 weeks in a row from June 15 through August 24,” says Akyuz.

The economic impact of the drought to the state was estimated between $2 billion to $5 billion based on the National Centers for Environmental Information.

“The weather patterns changed in August along the southern Valley,” says Akyuz.

October was unusually wet, not only along the Red River, but all across the state, which was a welcome change. However, it was too late to reverse the severe agricultural impact. It was also too early to foresee what might be in for the Red River Valley.

“Fargo’s climate data in fall and winter are good analogs to judge the flood potential in the southern valley” says Akyuz.

“Fargo received 7.31 inches of rain in fall, the 22nd wettest fall on record. Fargo also received 46.2 inches of snow so far in winter, which is the 20th snowiest winter on record, and the winter is not over in ND yet,” says Akyuz.

Based on the National Weather Service North Central River Forecast Center’s latest forecast, there is a 90% chance that the Red River will exceed the major flood stage this spring. The probability for exceeding the major flood stage in Grand Forks is only 25%.

“North Dakota climate has consistently demonstrated that extremes can occur in a very short period,” says Akyuz.