Two data points:
- total number of acres to be harvested
- bushels of wheat per acre
- previous record: 550,000 acres harvested in 1984, 2008
- this year: 720,000 acres predicted
- that's a whopping 30 percent increase
- that really is huge
- last September, ND farmers planted 750,000 acres, tied record set in 1985
- last year's (2010) winter wheat was a record at: 55 bushels/acre
- this year's expectation: 48 bushels/acre
- previous record, 2009: 26 million bushels
- this year's estimate: 2012: 35 million bushels
- wow, that is huge; we're not talking a tad more -- (35-26)/26 --> 35% increase
- wow
I remember folks talking about "oil millionaire" farmers quitting farming to enjoy the good life.
Others were concerned that all the oil activity, all the oil pads, the bad roads, the grocery shortage would all adversely affect North Dakota farming. I could be wrong but the bulk of winter wheat farming is done in oil country, the western side of the state.
The real story is this: with oil money, ND farmers can now afford to farm. Good for them!
The wheat story, April, 2011.
You are right on with that comment.
ReplyDeleteMost farmers I know that are getting oil money are buying new and better equipment left and right to help lessen their tax liability.
I could have added that with all the "noise" / all the intrusion caused by the oil industry, the farmers are probably happy just to get back into their tractors, trucks, combines, and tune out all the noise.
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