Spring planting ramps up across the Red River Valley
May 20, 2019 -- Posted by :By Cory Erickson, Hillsboro Banner
This year’s cool spring and wet conditions have set planting in the Red River Valley well behind schedule.
Now, local farmers are scrambling to make up for lost time.
The latest crop progress report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture noted planting around North Dakota is running 10 percent to 30 percent behind long-term averages.
Most notably, corn planting sat at 11 percent, behind an average of 43 percent for this time of year.
“Farmers are trying to get as much seeded as possible,” said Traill County Extension agent Alyssa Scheve.
“They’ve really been going as hard as they can with the weather.”
Cold, snowy weather from March into April held back planting efforts, and a deep frost kept tractors from getting into fields until early May.
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