Fall Harvest Season 2024

September 22nd marked the official start of autumn, bringing with it pumpkin spice lattes, crisp temperatures, and the bountiful harvest season. From seeds planted months ago, fields across the state are now bursting with life.

As a predominantly agricultural state, North Dakota plays a vital role in not only feeding the nation, also “... helping keep businesses alive in small towns, provide school children with access to healthy food grown in their own communities, helping protect our planet through conservation practices, and so much more,” - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

With over 90% of its land dedicated to farming, it's no surprise that the state is a major producer of many crops. In fact, North Dakota holds the top spot for producing canola, flaxseed, honey, spring wheat, dry edible beans, and dry edible peas.

In 2023, a drought affected the fall harvest season. Thanks to a more favorable spring and summer this year, North Dakota's agricultural industry is on track for a rewarding fall harvest.

2024 Fall Harvest Stats

The following stats were taken from the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service’s North Dakota Crop Production Report for the week ending September 12, 2024:

• Soybean - Area harvest up 7% from 2023
• Corn - Area harvest down 4% from 2023
• Sugarbeet - Area harvest down 7% from 2023
• Lentil - Area harvest up 80% from 2023, yes 80%!
• Dry edible pea - Area harvest up 15% from 2023
• All chickpeas - Area harvest up 105% from 2023, yes 105%!

According to the Northern Canola Growers Association (NCGA), “Canola acres … are at a record high 2.05 million acres. … This is an increase of 14% from USDA’s March Projected Plantings Report. For the U.S. planted area of canola is estimated at a record high 2.66 million acres, up 10% from last year’s planted area. Area harvest is forecast at 2.62 million acres, up 9% from last year.

Compared with last year, planted area is up in all major canola-producing states. … Harvested area in Montana, North Dakota, and Washington will all be record highs, if realized.,” - NCGA.

Gather and Grow Here

If you are looking to gather and grow your agricultural business in one of the top agriculture states and need assistance, contact Lewis & Clark Development Group to learn about one of their many small business lending programs. To learn more about the City of Beulah and all it has to offer, contact the Beulah Convention & Visitors Bureau.