Despite spotty harvest in the west, wheat does well statewide

North Dakota’s spring wheat production hit an estimated 246 million bushels, up 5 percent from last year and the highest level since 2003. That’s despite crop production in southwestern North Dakota stressed by drought and the target of field-clearing hail in certain areas. “It’s amazing we got as much out of this year as we did,” said Neal Fisher, administrator of the North Dakota Wheat Commission

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Second DC restaurant opened by North Dakota farmers

The Founding Fathers restaurant recently opened in Washington just blocks from the White House. It’s the second DC eatery opened through an investment by the Farmers Union. The first, Agraria’ has struggled, but hopes are the second restaurant, featuring farm-totable, will do better, in part because of location.

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Insurance sought for buckwheat

North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson wants the federal government to provide crop insurance for buckwheat. The state is the leading buckwheat producer. Johnson worries that rising production costs will lead farmers to switch to crops that are insured.

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Corn and soybean harvest does well

North Dakota’s recent corn and soybean harvests set production records. The state’s corn crop was up 9 percent from 2007, and soybeans were up 10 percent from last year. The two crops have gained in production in recent years because of higher prices.

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ND milk production slows

During July, August and September, milk production in North Dakota was down 3.7 percent from the same period one year ago. The average number of cows in the same quarter remained fl at, but production per cow declined.

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APUC reviewing grants

The North Dakota Agricultural Products Utilization Commission will review funding requests for six projects totaling $307,270 at its quarterly meeting in Williston on Nov. 12.
The November requests to be reviewed include:
• West Dakota Feed & Seed, Ross, is requesting a marketing and utilization grant totaling $67,000 to process green or yellow fi eld peas to create a pea protein concentrate and a pea starch suitable for use in the food industry.
Commercial Lynks, Inc, Alexandria, Va., is requesting a marketing and utilization grant totaling $4,395.00 to build a business plan that will substantiate the acquisition of the facility in Stampede for processing and cleaning primarily peas and lentils.
• Dakota Prairie Organic Flour Co., Harvey, is requesting a marketing and utilization grant for $50,000 to market its gluten-free facility and product.
• Ag Plus Cooperative, Kindred, is requesting a marketing and utilization grant in the amount of $100,000. This project is the development phase of a 42 million-bushel soybean crushing facility in southeastern North Dakota which would create 65 to 80 jobs and have an annual direct impact of $45 million.
• Brookins Hybrid Drive System, West Fargo, is requesting a prototype grant in the amount of $68,750. This hybrid air/hydraulic drive system allows the recapture of up to 80 percent of the vehicle’s wasted energy. • NDSU Dept. of Veterinary & Microbiological Sciences, Fargo is requesting a basic and applied research grant in the amount of $17,125 to study the effects of flaxseed microbial loads for quality and safety.

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Ag Mag features weeds

Unwanted plants in fields and pastures are featured in the new issue of North Dakota Ag Mag for students.

“Weeds, especially noxious weeds, cost North Dakota millions of dollars every year,” said Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson. “The new Ag Mag helps youngsters understand the impact weeds have on our agriculture and economy, as well as learn what they can do to help control noxious weeds.”

Published by the Agriculture in the Classroom Council, Ag Mag is distributed free of charge to North Dakota third-, fourth- and fi fthgrade classes that participate in the Ag in the Classroom program. Each issue is accompanied by a special teacher’s guide providing background information and more ideas for learning.