From The Extension Desk
Wheat, corn, soybeans perhaps? I had the opportunity to attend an ag improvement association and soil conservation meeting in Williston, N.D., last week. Dr. Frayne Olson was one of the featured speakers who is the crop economist for NDSU. He had some interesting insights into what is happening with our crop markets and the differences we are seeing in our western region and across the country and world.
No doubt we were in one of the worst droughts on record for Montana. We saw cattle heading to town, crops that withered away and grasshoppers and hail would vie for anything else that may have been still around. Some farmers still were able to get a little something, and irrigated crops held on, but the disposition of the area was grim.
Despite the dingy outlook for northeast Montana and surrounding areas, apparently the rest of the United States crop markets were making up for it and then some. According to Dr. Olson, we had the second highest yielding corn crop and the highest yielding soybean crop. These scenarios are also what is bringing the wheat markets up.
Olson also suggested that the weather conditions in Brazil are being watched because they are mirroring the conditions that occurred this previous season in the United States with the country partially in drought and partially excelling in crop conditions. This could affect our markets. Another indicator he mentioned with what could happen with our markets, is the situation between Russia and the Ukraine. Russia is a heavy wheat exporter, and their political climate will affect the future wheat market.
Northeast Montana is such as diverse cropping area, the choice for crop acres is getting down to the wire.
The National Hard Spring Wheat Show will be in Williston on Feb. 9 at the Williston Area Recreation Center. Dr. Frayne Olson will also be one of the featured speakers. Attend the show and see if his outlook has changed any. The day will be filled with expert speakers and some good education/entertainment from Jolene Brown.
For more information, contact Kelly Leo at the Williams County Extension office at 701-577-4595.
