2013 North Dakota Crop Values Expected to Match 2012 Historic Records
Corn was one of many North Dakota crops to hit individual records of production values in 2012
In 2012, North Dakota saw historic crop values at almost $11 billion with several crops setting individual records, reported an article from The Republic. North Dakota farmers expect 2013 to be just as, if not more, lucrative in crop production due to the opportunity for early spring planting.
According to the article, crops including corn, soy beans, dry beans, spring wheat, and canola all hit individual records of production values in 2012 in North Dakota. Darin Jantzi, director of the North Dakota field office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Ag Statistics Service, attributes this success to the state largely escaping the drought that affected other areas of the Midwest. A warm 2011-2012 winter allowed farmers to begin plating on March 2, 2012 (22 days earlier than normal) and, despite more snowfall this year, Jantzi does not expect it to adversely affect the timing of spring field work.
"It's good from the standpoint of moisture, being it was a little dry last year. It could delay (planting) a little bit, but we still have a little time for it to melt and get into the ground," Jantzi said. Jantzi also reported that due to the number of farmers who are moving away from corn production and moving to cotton planting, North Dakota will likely see another year of high corn crop production values.
Growers in North Dakota have also been asked by the USDA to send in reports of what they expect to plant this year in order to get a better sense of the state’s crop production projections.