News

Heat damages the local crops

By Heather Milbrath

07/24/2012

Each year, many farmers feel like they are gambling with each crop they plant. Some years, like last year, they do not even get a change to go all in because of too much water.

This year seemed like a year when farmers would win big due to the dry spring. However, so far, with little rain, farmers are feeling less lucky about their crops.

This drought is not completely widespread across the county however, due to the hit-and-miss storms. The Westhope and Antler areas are sitting pretty well, because they received more rainfall earlier in the summer. Areas like Bottineau, Souris, Gardena and Willow City, on the other hand, are quite dry.

Ryan Ellsworth, an agronomist at the Bottineau Farmers Elevator, says that the yields for the western third of the county should be average or above average for the year. Ellsworth does not feel it will be the same for the rest of the county.

“This year this could have been a record yielding year if we would have just got little late season rain—thanks Mother Nature.” Ellsworth said.
Some crops, like the later small grains, are already starting to show symptoms of the heat, according to Roger Heidbreder, the Agronomy Center Manager for Bottineau Farmers Elevator.
“Corn and soybeans could use some rain to help with grain fill.” Heidbreder said. “Sunflowers are liking this heat but still a rain could be beneficial.”

Although many crops around the county are hurting because of this drought, some others are being saved due to early harvest. Some farmers have already gotten much of their winter wheat crop off for the year, and are quite happy with that particular harvest. Many other farmers will begin harvesting peas within the next week.