Kloe Wadd

Sugarbeet root maggot populations continue to increase across the Red River Valley, according to NDSU Extension Entomologist Mark Boetel. “We had a lot of hot weather in late May and leading into early June, which resulted in some very intense hot spots.” Boetel says adult flies have largely disappeared, but damaging larvae are now feeding on roots. Fields with little or no insecticide protection are expected to show wilting and stand loss.

Dry conditions continue to limit forage production in southwestern North Dakota. Jacki Christman of JC Farms near Hettinger says dry weather and spring freezes reduced hay production to roughly half of normal. “We’ll probably get about one bale an acre this year; we’ll have to keep everything that we put up.” Christman added that canola looks promising but will need additional rainfall to withstand the recent heat.

South Dakota State University Extension Cow-Calf Specialist Taylor Grussing is seeing some of the poorest hay yields in years. “I’ve even heard some hay fields that are only ten percent of last year’s production,” Grussing said. June and July rainfall is improving the outlook for a stronger second cutting. Grussing said farmers and ranchers may also find additional forage through cover crops and late-season grazing if moisture continues.