04-24-01: Weather delays planting in valley

Red River Valley farmers are off to a slow start in planting their fields this spring.

Further delays in the regions planting season could spell trouble come harvest.

Rain and snow have prevented farmers from planting cool-season crops, including spring wheat, barley, corn and sugar beets.

"We should be done planting our spring wheat in the first week of May, and it appears that we wont even be started, said Nord, who farms near Wolverton, Minn.

Nord said he hopes to plant 2,000 acres of spring wheat this year.

When cool-season crops are planted late, they can lose yield to the summer heat.

"I know some producers are starting to get concerned, but really when you look at some long-term studies, were not in too bad of shape yet," said John Kringler, a North Dakota State University extension agent.

"But if it would continue to stay wet, that would really complicate things," said Kringler, who works with Cass County farmers.

Last year, the statewide average starting date for planting in North Dakota was April 17, and the states five-year average is April 24, according to the state Agricultural Statistics Service.

Without any more precipitation, most farmers in the Red River Valley wont start planting until around May 4, said Duane Berglund, an NDSU professor and agronomist.

"I think were at least two weeks out in the valley and in areas where there is a lot of water (planting) is farther out," Berglund said.

Nord said he found an inch of water in his rain gauge Monday, the remnant of a 10-inch snow the day before.

"Planting by the first week of May can be critical," Nord said. "The odds start to work against you the later it gets.

"And were a lot farther behind today than we were last week," Nord said.

"Theres not much you can do about it," he said. "You hope you can get it in and that things will turn around a little bit."

Minnesotas farmers typically have 25 percent of the states spring wheat, barley and sugar beet crops planted by April 30, University of Minnesota extension agent Jim Stordahl said.

"We normally have 10 percent of the sugar beet crop planted at this point so were definitely later than normal," Stordahl said.

"Most guys are ready to roll if the weather would shape up," he said. "Theyre just playing the waiting game.

News & Events - Archived News