Grain Storage Capacity Lost in Recent Storms

The economic loss from the tornadoes and straight-line winds continues to mount. North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring estimates that anywhere from 50 to  80 million bushels of grain storage capacity has been lost. “This could be over 100 million bushels; I don’t want to sound like I’m an alarmist, that’s why it’s so important that we get good, hard data to understand what the impacts are.” Farmers are being asked to provide information about their losses to their county Extension office. Those details will be submitted to the Governor’s Office, the Department of Emergency Services, and other affected agencies. “This is just trying to assess what is happening.” Goehring said it will take years to restore the grain storage capacity in the state.