On the third day of the Red River Farm Network Crop Tour, presented by Pioneer, farm broadcasters Don Wick and Megan Ternquist left Jamestown, North Dakota Wednesday and headed toward Carrington, North Dakota. The tour moved north, near the Canadian border, before returning to the I-94 area at Windsor, North Dakota. A second leg of Wednesday’s tour started near Washburn and ended in Minot, North Dakota.
In Carrington, North Dakota, Swanson Seeds Associate Sales Representative Doug Retzlaff said the corn needs some heat to finish out. The soybeans have great potential. “The August rains were beneficial for the soybeans. We’ll see if the pod count adds up with the late rains.” Everything looks good and the crop hasn’t been stressed since spring. Check out the Carrington, North Dakota crop.
There’s a good crop around Washburn, North Dakota if it can make it to maturity. River Seed’s Clark Price said timely plantings helped the crops. “The corn is getting closer to dent, but the crops need an October frost to make it across the finish line. We have a big crop coming if it gets done. I haven’t seen much tip back.” The expectations are high for soybeans. “We were out early planting soybeans and there is minimal weed pressure.”
The biggest challenge the crops in north-central North Dakota faced this spring was cold temperatures. Pioneer Dealer Donny Allmaras said the crop was dry until mid-June. “We went from June 14 until July 12, almost one month, without moisture and then, we started getting rain again.” The 83-day corn is in the dent phase. “We have a way to go, but we’re in good shape.” There have been insect issues, like thistle caterpillars and grasshoppers, but it was not a significant problem. Allmaras farms at Bremen, North Dakota, near New Rockford. Learn more about corn and soybeans near Bremen, North Dakota.
Before Sunday, crops in the McClusky area looked beautiful. Mid-State Ag’s Paul Hagen said those hopes were dashed when the hail stones hit. “There are a few good friends and customers lost acres with the tennis ball size hail that came through,” said Hagen. “For the most part, some farmers will still do fairly well. Some of the corn, even though it was hit pretty hard, it’s far enough along to produce, but yield will be down. A decent fall would help. Farmers who have silage corn shouldn’t have issues running good tonnage. There are silver linings in every cloud.”
The 79-day corn is denting well near Fessenden, North Dakota. “We’ve had a good pollination season this year and if Mother Nature plays well with us, we should be fine,” said Pioneer Sales Representative Leon Klocke. The August rains are helping the soybeans fill pods. “It looks full, filling to the top.” There’s no white mold or aphids this year. Take a closer look at the corn and soybeans near Fessenden.
The peas, canola and wheat are being harvested near Garrison, North Dakota. Pioneer Representative Jason Foss is excited to see what happens with the canola in the next few weeks. He said there are new varieties with Liberty Link. “It’s a good year for canola. The crop is in the 2,500 to 2,700 pounds. The combines will tell the story.”
South of Rugby, North Dakota, Keith Axtmann said the big weed impacting growers this year is kochia. “We have to use new technologies to manage tough weeds. Pioneer continues to offer new tools. The combination with the seed and technology side of the business allows us to do some great things.” Axtmann says it has been dry, but the area has received timely rains. “Our beans got hurt a little bit, but the top pods are now starting to fill. The corn did not get hurt bad; I think corn is going to be the surprise for farmers this year.” Check out the Rugby, North Dakota crop.
The crops can stretch anywhere from fair to fairly well in the Minot, North Dakota area. Pioneer Sales Representative Brad Howe said emergence was spotty in areas. “Now, we need heat to finish the crop. Canola harvest is starting, along with the wheat harvest.” Howe said there are concerns about sprouting and scab in the wheat. “Timing isn’t optimum for the recent rains. No one wants to complain. There’s not a lot of disease problems yet.” There’s really nice corn near Minot. “Looking at stands, I don’t have many concerns at this point. We aren’t in dent yet, but we’re close.” The canola looks fantastic. “Liberty Link canola is getting positive response from growers.”
Ending the day, hail cut into the potential for crops in the Windsor, North Dakota area. However, North Dakota Pioneer dealer Craig Staloch said the hail set the crop back, but the corn should still do well if the crop makes it to maturity. There has been plenty of moisture and “it’s been a cool growing season, too.” Pioneer Field Agronomist Larry Lunder said the big wildcard is heat that is needed to finish the crop. “Also, moving toward Dickinson and Mandan, we have a good crop, maybe the best soybean crop ever for that area, the question is will there be enough heat for the crop to reach maturity?” Lunder says the sunflower acres are also up in the region. Check out the final stop on Wednesday’s Crop Tour.
Red River Farm Network’s second crop tour, presented by Pioneer, will wrap up tonight with the final report being released Friday morning. This tour is covering northwest Minnesota, North Dakota and northern portions of South Dakota. The Red River Farm Network Crop Tour is presented by Pioneer. Follow tour progress on Facebook, Twitter and via #RRFNCropTour19.