In the current agricultural economy, it’s tough to raise a crop that will cover input expenses. However, Lake Region State College Adult Farm Management instructor Joel Lemer tells farmers not to give up on sunflowers or malting barley. “There was a lot of sprouted barley this year, so it didn’t make malting grade. There may be future opportunities to latch onto a contract,” says Lemer. “There were more sunflowers this year than we’ve had in a long time. Unfortunately the early fall snowstorms beat the daylights out of them, but the last two years yields were good and there are lower inputs.” Wheat was a bigger disappointment in 2019 than originally anticipated. Lemer says the wheat market continues to struggle, which makes it hard for farmers to cover expenses. Lemer spoke at the Central Dakota Ag Day held in Carrington, North Dakota. Listen to the full interview.