(Bismarck, ND) -- Despite a challenging growing season for much of North Dakota, canola crop yields are looking better than expected.
Statewide average canola yields are coming out to be higher than what the crop condition rating showed this year, with the Northern Canola Growers Association saying the highest yield recorded this year was 3,500lbs per acre, a record high for the crop in North Dakota. Farmers in many parts of the state struggled with drought, while areas closer to Bismarck saw more rain. The drought was expected to bring the average crop yield this year to an estimated 1,700 lbs per acre. However, the current lowest yield is at approximately 2,200 lbs per acre.
A total of 1,880,000 lbs of Canola has been harvested so far in North Dakota, with the nationwide totals adding up to 2,244,500 lbs. That means North Dakota has currently harvested approximately 83% of all Canola in the U.S., which is consistent with data provided by NDSU, which shows the state saw 85% of domestic production in the nation.
Canola harvesting season wraps up in the next few weeks. You can find more information about the canola crop by clicking here.