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Last modified: Wednesday, October 1, 2008 11:50 AM CDT
Wheat crops highly successful this fall
by Erin C. Hevern • Daily News
North Dakota farmers are putting to a close what industry officials are calling one of the most successful spring and winter wheat harvests in more than a decade.
Although Richland County farmers primarily raise spring wheat and very little winter wheat, yields still appear to be above average.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimated Tuesday that North Dakota's spring wheat production at 246 million bushels, up 5 percent from last year. According to USDA data, the 2008 figure is the second-highest since 1996.
Richland County Extension Agent Dale Siebert said many farmers are reporting 55-60 bushels per acre. This is higher than the county's five year average, he said.
Richland County's bushels per acre is nearly double the state average of 38.5 and above figures being reported in western North Dakota.
"It's amazing we got as much out of this year as we did," said Neal Fischer, administrator of the North Dakota Wheat Commission, in an Associated Press report. "[Spring wheat] yields were not good to the west. Apparently, that's been offset by much better conditions in the east."
Siebert said a cool growing season helped bring spring wheat yields to the higher level they are at. Ideal growing conditions are ones with daily highs of around 85 degrees and night time lows around 60 degrees.
Other factors influencing higher yields include lack of disease, better plant varieties and management techniques.
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