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Drought Conditions Continue to Improve

Last weekend’s heavy rains across North Dakota and Minnesota were enough to improve dry conditions, but more rains will be needed to break the longer-term drought. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows Golden Valley, North Dakota in exceptional drought, with the rest of the sate ranging from abnormally dry to extreme drought conditions. Minnesota also had a reduction in drought, with the severe conditions in the western part of the state now at moderate to severe drought.

Dry Bean Scene

Johnstown Bean Company general manager Dylan Karley joins this week’s Dry Bean Scene on the Red River Farm Network. While pinto and black bean yields have been coming in below normal, a bright spot have been favorable harvest conditions. This radio update is made possible, in part, by the Northarvest Bean Growers Association.

Gov. Burgum Announces Plan for COVID Funds

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum has unveiled the Accelerate North Dakota plan to use federal funds from the American Rescue Plan. This plan includes $207 million in income tax relief over the next two years. There’s $396 million for workforce and economic development projects, including money for livestock finishing and processing and support for autonomous agriculture. Another $590 million will be invested in capital improvements, including roads, bridges and broadband.

Weekly Dry Bean Market Review

USDA Market News reports trading of dry beans remains mostly light, though higher than recent reports, with good demand compared to last week.
 
For pintos, the grower price in Minnesota and North Dakota is $48-to-$50 per hundredweight. That’s steady to $2 higher. Black beans are steady to $1 higher at $48-to-$49. Navies are unchanged at $42 per hundredweight. Dark red and light red kidney bean prices remain steady at $44-to-$49 per hundredweight.
 
New crop prices for all pulses remain steady to firm. View the September 28 report.

Crop Progress Report – Sept. 27, 2021

According to USDA’s Crop Progress Report, dry edible bean harvest in North Dakota was 73%. That’s near 71% last year and ahead of 63% average.
 
Topsoil moisture supplies in North Dakota were 32% very short, 39% short, 28% adequate, and 1% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 41% very short, 35% short, 23% adequate, and 1% surplus.
 
In Minnesota, dry beans harvested was 72%. That’s ahead of 67% last year and 69% average.
 
Topsoil moisture supplies in Minnesota were 9% very short, 24% short, 65% adequate and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 17% very short, 37% short, 45% adequate and 1% surplus.
 
Dry beans were 96% harvested in Montana (including Chickpeas), 81% in Idaho, 95% in Washington, 74% in Colorado, 63% in Nebraska, 74% in Wyoming and 64% in Michigan. Get the latest Crop Progress numbers.

Dry Bean Scene

In this week’s Dry Bean Scene, hear harvest updates from both North Dakota and Michigan. This radio update is made possible, in part, by the Northarvest Bean Growers Association.
 

ND to Hold Special Legislative Session

North Dakota lawmakers will meet in Bismarck beginning November 8 for a special legislative session. The session will address redistricting and appropriating federal COVID relief funds.

Crop Progress Report – Sept. 20, 2021

According to USDA’s Crop Progress Report, dry edible bean condition in North Dakota rated 15% very poor, 30% poor, 39% fair, 16% good, and 0% excellent. Dropping leaves was 95%, near 96% last year, and equal to average. Harvested was 57%, ahead of 51% last year and 49% average. Topsoil moisture supplies in North Dakota were 0% very short, 34% short, 34% adequate, and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 43% very short, 33% short, 23% adequate, and 1% surplus. In Minnesota, dry beans rated 19% very poor, 24% poor, 46% fair, 19% good, and 2% excellent. Dropping leaves was 95%, near both 92% last year and average. Harvested was 52%, ahead of 42% last year and 48% average. Topsoil moisture supplies in Minnesota were rated 11% very short, 24% short, 61% adequate and 4% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 19% very short, 37% short, 43% adequate and 1% surplus. Dry beans were 90% harvested in Montana (including Chickpeas), 73% in Idaho, 91% in Washington, 63% in Colorado, 49% in Nebraska, 30% in Wyoming and 49% in Michigan. Get the latest Crop Progress numbers.

Early Dry Bean Harvest is a Mixed Bag

The edible bean market is poised for below average production, judging by the prices, which still are strong as farmers begin their harvest, said Tim Courneya, Northarvest Bean Growers executive vice president.
 
“They aren’t backing off,” he said. “We planted enough beans to be a little more bearish but the markets are bulled up.”
 
A few elevator Courneya called in early September were offering prices for navy beans that were in the high $30s per hundredweight and one had a price of $41 per hundredweight.
 

Crop Progress Report – Sept. 13, 2021

According to USDA’s Crop Progress Report, dry edible bean condition in North Dakota rated 16% very poor, 30% poor, 37% fair, 16% good, and 1% excellent. Dropping leaves was 93%, ahead of 88% last year, and near 89% average. Harvested was 39%, ahead of 26% last year and 32% average.
 
Topsoil moisture supplies in North Dakota were 28% very short, 36% short, 34% adequate, and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 42% very short, 32% short, 25% adequate, and 1% surplus.
 
In Minnesota, dry beans rated 12% very poor, 24% poor, 45% fair, 17% good, and 2% excellent. Dropping leaves was 91%, ahead of 82% last year and 84% average. Harvested was 35%, ahead of 19% last year and 26% average.
 
Topsoil moisture supplies in Minnesota were rated 15% very short, 28% short, 55% adequate and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 22% very short, 40% short, 37% adequate and 1% surplus.
 
Dry beans were 85% harvested in Montana (including chickpeas), 60% harvested in Idaho, 81% in Washington, 35% in Colorado, 34% in Nebraska, 22% in Wyoming and 6% in Michigan. Get the latest Crop Progress numbers.