North Dakota’s harvest hits high gear, growers eyeing possible La Niña pattern
M.K. French
Farmer Staff Writer
The latest USDA Crop Progress report shows North Dakota’s crops are making strong headway, with most showing a marked improvement in condition compared to last year. While the state’s agriculture is still catching up on some fronts, the report points to a more promising end to the 2025 growing season.
The state’s spring wheat harvest is leading the charge, with 36 percent of the crop harvested as of mid-August. This is a significant jump from last year’s 9 percent for the same week. The report indicates this progress is not just about speed; the crop’s condition is also robust, with 65 percent rated as ‘good’ and another 13 percent in ‘excellent’ condition. This is a stark contrast to last year, where only 47 percent of the spring wheat was in the top two categories.
Barley is also seeing a notable harvest, with 43 percent of the crop now in. This is a substantial lead over the 13 percent harvested at the same time in 2024. The barley condition is also exceptional with 64 percent rated as ‘good’ and a remarkable 12 percent in ‘excellent’ condition.
In the oat fields, progress is on par with last year. North Dakota’s oat harvest is at 29 percent, only a slight decrease from last year’s 33 percent at this time. Meanwhile, the state’s corn has seen an impressive leap forward. The percentage of corn in the dough stage has increased to 45 percent, a significant improvement from last year’s 36 percent. The corn’s overall condition is also strong, with a combined 63 percent rated as ‘good’ or ‘excellent,’ a positive sign for a successful harvest.
With a significant portion of the spring wheat and barley crops already harvested, McKenzie County farmers are now focused on wrapping up the remaining fields, coordinating with custom harvesters, and ensuring grain bins are ready for storage. A key tool for many is the North Dakota Harvest Hotline, (701) 328-5110, which was once again activated this past July. Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said,
“Farmers who need custom combining and combiners looking for a job should call us at 701-328-5110…Your name and information will be entered into the Harvest Hotline database to be matched up with other callers.” This service, which is offered free of charge, is available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with callers being directed to leave a message during the evenings and weekends. This service is designed to help connect farmers with available help to avoid delays and potential crop waste. As fields are cleared, farmers will likely shift their focus to preparing for fall and winter.
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