With the global food security at risk, every bushel of grain is important. The spring planting delays puts many acres in jeopardy. “There’s been a big window of opportunity to get crops planted in the ‘I’ states,” said Tommy Grisafi, Risk Management Advisor, Advance Trading. “The real hot spot is North Dakota and northwest Minnesota; the rainfall and planting delays is concerning.” The Northern Plains went from a historic drought in 2021 to a soggy start to the current growing season. An April blizzard brought more than three feet of snow to North Dakota. That has been followed by persistent rains throughout April and May. As of May 31, less than 60 percent of North Dakota’s intended spring wheat acreage has been seeded. Fifty-six percent of the state’s corn acreage and 23 percent of the soybeans are planted. The planting pace is also far behind the long-term average for sugarbeets, durum, barley, canola, potatoes, dry edible beans and sunflowers. “Mother Nature is large and in charge and putting the hurt on our farmers in North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota and Canada,” said Grisafi. “The story needs to be told on what is going to get planted and what is not going to get planted.” The Red River Farm Network and Advance Trading will gain a first-person perspective on planting progress and acreage decisions with the Boots on the Ground Tour Thursday-Saturday, June 2-4, 2022. Will farmers in North Dakota and northwest Minnesota choose Prevent Plant, adjust maturity or switch to an alternative crop? “Those questions will be answered on the Boots on the Ground Tour,” said Don Wick, president, Red River Farm Network. “We will talk with the growers making these tough decisions.” In addition to the RRFN radio audience, reports will be available at www.rrfn.com. Coverage is also available on Twitter at @rrfn and @trust_ati.
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