Crops Articles
Feeding the Crop is the Key to Yield
Published April 24, 2020
Crop nutrition is a priority as growers prepare for the 2020 growing season. "Fertility makes up about 60 percent of what the farmer is going to get out of that field," said Sherry Koch, technical product manager, Mosaic. "With that…The Sugarbeet Report
Published April 23, 2020
Sugarbeet growers in the southern Red River Valley are starting to plant this year's crop, while the northern RRV is still a few days away. Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative Vice President of Agriculture Todd Geselius says this is a…ND Farmers Begin Planting Small Grains
Published April 23, 2020
Bismarck, North Dakota farmer Clark Coleman wrapped up barley planting this week. "We've been planting pretty hard for the last few days and the conditions are good." Coleman said he’ll plant spring wheat soon. "We'll probably jump into the wheat…Warmer Temperatures Could Help with Planting Progress
Published April 23, 2020
Temperatures are warming up in the Northern Plains. Planting progress is expected in the next two weeks. "There will still be some interruptions with cool fronts coming along, but it won't be anything like we've seen in recent weeks. It…Monitor Seed Depth and Seeding Rates
Published April 23, 2020
To get the spring wheat crop off to a good start, attention should be given to seed depth and seeding rates. Across eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota, the general recommendation is 1.4 million pure live seed calculated for germination.…Dry Conditions Found in Latest Drought Monitor
Published April 23, 2020
New areas of abnormally dry conditions are reported in the latest U.S. Drought Monitor. Most of western North Dakota and northwest South Dakota now have that designation. Abnormally dry conditions are also being seen in extreme northeastern South Dakota extending…Demand Decline for Frozen Spuds Means Fewer Potatoes Planted
Published April 23, 2020
The lack of demand for frozen potato products will impact process potato acres for 2020. Acreage declines range from 10 to 25 percent. "Those are fluid numbers," explained Donavon Johnson, president, Northern Plains Potato Growers. "Processing plants are still trying…Record Contracts Signed for 2019 ARC and PLC Programs
Published April 22, 2020
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, farmers and ranchers signed a record 1.77 million contracts for the Agricultural Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs for the 2019 crop year. That’s more than the five-year average. The deadline to…MN Farmers Starting to Plant the ’20 Crop
Published April 20, 2020
Minnesota farmers are starting to put the 2020 crop in the ground. University of Minnesota Extension crops educator Jared Goplen says both wheat and corn have been planted in the Morris area. "This is the first time in a couple…