Although the southern part of the region received somewhat less moisture than did the neighbors to the north, Sharla Sackman, Prairie County Extension Agent, feels crops in her area have ideal conditions for germination. We got nice showers earlier in April, she reports. With the showers and good winter moisture, crops are off to the right start. If we keep getting showers, well do OK.

Sackman points out that each year brings different conditions. Each year is different. We got a later start this year than last year, but its not overly late, she says. Were fairly much on schedule.

Sugarbeet acres in the southern end of the region remain about the same as last year. However, Sackman expects producers will plant more spring wheat acres than normal this year because of problems growers face with winter wheat planted last fall. We have a dilemma with winter wheat, she remarks. It was planted last fall under less than ideal conditions, and it took a long time to come out of dormancy this spring. Many producers may end up plowing it under and reseeding to spring wheat.

A few producers in Dawson and Prairie counties may also grow a few acres of onions this year on an experimental project.

Ken Nelson, McCone County Extension Agent, reports that producers in his area, who have drier fields than producers in other parts of the region, got a lot planted last week. Were drier here around Circle than most other parts of the MonDak region, he comments. Planting was delayed a week or so here, not because of moisture problems, but because of the cold weather. However, we had good planting weather the last week of April.

Red Lovec, Richland County Extension Agent, reports that Richland County producers started planting in earnest the last few days in April, nearly two weeks behind the average start-up of planting activity. Were about ten days behind normal start-up, he comments. In the Billings area, sugarbeets are up, small grains are planted and up, and they are halfway done planting corn.

However, he continues, they are dry and are worried. We are wet. With this moisture and warm temperatures, the beets and other crops will be up quickly and will do great. The growing conditions are nearly perfect for all crops. With this moisture, everything should grow like gangbusters.

Lovec expects to see area producers plant more malting barley this year. Well see more malting barley acres, and some increase in legume acres, he predicts.

McKenzie County producers, like their counterparts elsewhere in the region, delayed the start-up of planting for about a week. Dale Naze, McKenzie County Extension Agent, says, Were about a week later than normal for planting. Producers here like to have canola planted in the first week of May, so they may be rushed for early crops like the canola and field peas.

Naze points out that the cold nights coupled with the wet spots in fields delayed this years planting. The soil temperatures were OK, he remarks. It was just the combination of cold nights and wet spots that delayed planting.

McKenzie County received adequate moisture which will enhance crop germination. We had 2 inches of rain and snow in April, Naze states. Moisture is great, and although things can change so fast, were off to a great start.

Naze expects producers will grow predominantly wheat and durum, but he also expects to see increased acreage of malting barley and pulse crops.

Warren Froelich, Williams County Extension Agent, reports that activity has just begun in his area and further north, due to the amount of moisture the area received. Were just getting started, he says. There will be a lot of activity this week.

Although the northern area lags a good week or so behind normal planting averages, Froelich doesnt believe the delay will cause problems. Were about a week behind at this point, he remarks. Weve had years when weve been further behind than this, so we are OK.

He continues, Its good to get crops in as soon as possible so they are well developed and can withstand the July heat. We also never know what will happen in the fall. Added moisture and early frost can be quite detrimental on grain at harvest.

Froelich believes producers in the northern part of the MonDak region will try more non-conventional crops, and he also predicts a shift away from durum this year. Were seeing a movement to more non-traditional crops, such as the pulse crops and oil seed crops, he comments. Were also seeing a switch from durum to spring wheat. Durum has experienced quality problems with delayed planting. Delayed planting can run into unfavorable fall conditions for durum. A wet fall can cause discoloration and germination problems for durum growers, which translates into a loss of quality.