ULSE CROPS  – Dry peas and lentils have exploded in acres this past year.  In North Dakota dry pea acres jumped from 315,322 in 2004 to over 540,892 in 2005.  At the same time, lentils increased from 98,574 to over 147,480 acres.  Montana saw the same response with dry pea acres jumping from 80,389 in 2004 to 153,799 in 2005.  Lentils jumped from 77,020 to 146,200 acres during that same time period.  We are working on developing more marketing options for these pulse crops.  Processors are considering to expanding their operations.  Superior Grains of Crosby has built a facility in Williston and others are waiting to see what happens with the 2007 Farm Bill.  Another option is to expand the feeding opportunities of dry peas to beef cattle and dairy cattle.  At today’s market prices, dry peas are very competitive in nutritional value when comparing protein.  Also with dairy production expanding in the region, dry peas would make an excellent feed and may also improve milk quality.  Many educational talks this winter will emphasize the ease and advantage of feeding dry peas.

ORN -  Corn grain acres continue to climb in acres.  A large percentage of the current corn acres are needed for the livestock feedlot operations.  Now with Bostana Dairy near Sidney and Greenway Dairy near Savage on board and the possibility of others coming to the area, we will greatly expand our demand for corn grain and silage.  We need to continue to watch for the best varieties suitable to our region based on Growing Degree Days because of weather and storage concerns.   

ALT BARLEY - Barley acreage and production has stabilized over the past year.  We continue to work with Busch Agricultural Resources on variety and production practices to increase yields and quality in the.  The Busch Ag is committed to building the irrigation infrastructure in the region in order to receive a more consistent supply of malt barley.  The western malt barley project is proceeding well.  Within the next five years new varieties will be developed for this region under dryland and irrigation conditions which will improve our production and quality traits.  Check with local elevators and other malt barley companies to see which varieties they are marketing.

MALL FRUIT PRODUCTION - Small fruit production has become a unique interest in the region.  With wineries in Culbertson, MT, Burlington and Bowman, ND, the need for small fruit has increased dramatically.  The Williston Research Extension Center has received grant monies to research variety response of fruits grown in the region.  This year 16 grape varieties were planted along with rhubarb, strawberries, and other fruits.  Another research project was planted this year looking at different planting depths.  The result is to determine at what depth that is most effective and realistic to plant the grapes and protect the crown. 

THER CROPS – Under irrigation, we saw producers seeking other crop opportunities.  Sunflowers, dry peas, flax, corn, canola, soybeans, alfalfa, and barley are the more popular in crops to try this past year.  Elevators and processors are recognizing this and are getting geared up to handle some of these crops.  We have two companies in the region, West Dakota Feed and Seed and Specialty Exports, looking for non-GMO soybeans.    Irrigated pastures are an idea some growers are thinking about because of high cattle prices and the hay yields coming off the irrigation.  Dryland producers are looking at more broadleaf crops in their rotations (ie. flax, peas, mustard, safflower, lentils, and corn).  Producers need to seek out markets for these different commodities.  At our last year’s MonDak Value Added Ag Day, we had six processors looking at purchasing at least 10 different crops.

ORKSHOPS - Assisted with several workshops promoting production agriculture and value added processing of commodities Including National Hard Spring Wheat Show, MonDak Pulse Day and summer field tour, an Irrigation workshop to improve yield and quality potential, several different Ag Days to discuss crop and livestock opportunities, Gateway to Opportunity promoting entrepreneurship, MonDak Ag Open and Value Added Ag Day promoting the region’s resources to bring in other agricultural businesses, and summer Research Center field days.   We will have many of those workshops again this year so watch for further information.

AIRY – With the irrigation opportunities to produce high quality forage and grain for dairy production, the MonDak region has begun to see interest from the dairy industry.   Environmental concerns also make the region appealing to the dairy industry.  Bostana Dairy near Crane, MT is doing very well.  Greenway Dairy is just getting started near Savage, MT. These projects boost the need for production of high quality alfalfa and other feeds which are vital to maximize milk production for dairies at a very competitive market price for the producers in the region.  And as more dairies locate in the region, others will follow as favorable opportunities exist to work together on transportation costs, feeds, milk prices and other factors.

THANOL – Ethanol has become a topic of interest as we are looking to utilize more natural resources to curb our dependence on petroleum.  There have been inquires about building an ethanol plant in the MonDak region.  We have the water and energy resources available to assist in attracting a plant.  To produce 50 million gallons of ethanol, roughly 18 million bushels of corn is utilized.  The distillers grain that is generated from making ethanol will be a great benefit in the backgrounding of beef calves and the dairy industries as a supplemental feed source.  Other grains being considered to produce ethanol are barley and wheat. 

EAT PROCESSORS – The meat processors in western ND are developing an alliance to work together to improve marketing capabilities, make distribution more efficient, and utilize each others resources.  The idea is to take one to three of each processor’s top products and market them under one name and logo.   We have been conducting taste testing surveys at different events to determine the top brauts, summer sausage and other meat products.

¹ NDSU/MSU Area Extension Specialist, Williston Research Extension Center, Williston, ND