In the specialty crops, barley acreage intentions nationwide are up two percent. In North Dakota, barley acreage is projected to be in line with last year, while acreage will decline two percent from last year in Minnesota and South Dakota. North Dakota is the #1 canola-producing state and that acreage is expected to increase by another 15 percent this season. If that happens, it will be the second-highest canola acreage on record in North Dakota. Dry edible bean acres are estimated to be down ten percent across the country this year, with Idaho being the only state among the seven dry bean states expected to see an increase. The intended dry bean acres is down 12 percent in North Dakota and down eight percent in Minnesota. USDA said overall sunflower acreage will jump 11 percent in North Dakota, eight percent in South Dakota and decline 15 percent in Minnesota. Sorghum acres are expected to increase by a whopping 53 percent in South Dakota. For flax, North Dakota’s planted acreage is expected to be down 35 percent from 2025, and it would be the first time in recorded history for Montana to plant more flaxseed than North Dakota.
