Farmers in North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota are worried that current flood conditions will result in crop loss like the dismal year of 1997. That year spring blizzards caused devastating flooding that destroyed cattle herds, crop plans and sent revenue down 85 percent.
The wet fall and severe winter will have a huge impact on this season’s crops. Farmers are concerned that plans will be pushed back or depleted and it is hard to determine what the spring will bring.
One ranch, owned by Leroy and Karleen Materi, lost 120 cows and calves from flood off a creek. The couple may reolocate because “It’s hard to live like this,” Kathleen told WCCO.com. “It’s not a pleasant situation. (Leroy) said at first he was going to sell them all. But it’s hard for him to give that up. That’s his life. I think maybe he was just talking.”
Some farmers are more optimistic like Bryan Hest who lives in Minnesota on the Red River “I’m quite confident there is still opportunity,” he said. “If we can get in (the fields) relatively decently this spring, we can pull out a crop.”
In 1997 the Red River flooded the valley and over 800,000 acres were “prevented planting” that means that the ground cannot be seeded because it is too wet or too dry. This is not expected this year, but there is definitely a delay in planting. Later planting leads to potential loss of yield and quality, and farmers will not meet the deadlines for their crops.
The expected starting date of field work is not until April 29 this year, that is two weeks later than normal.
There is help for farmers who cannot get crops in the ground at all, but it is not enough to make a profit off of.
If you are in need of a farm loan contact Farm Plus today. Low rate farm loans are available now for any of your farming needs. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information regarding farm loans.