Red River Valley Crops

Red River Valley Crops. . , As the first settlers broke up the fertile Red River Valley prairie sod, flax was usually the first crop they sowed, followed by hard red spring wheat and barley. Crop agriculture was and continues to be a major economic force in North Dakota. , Through the research efforts of plant breeders, agronomists, and other researchers at North Dakota State University and other public and private institutions, many new crops have been adapted for production in this northern environment. The Red River Valley and the rest of North Dakota is a major area of production for corn, soybean, sunflower, durum wheat, sugarbeet, oats, potatoes, dry edible bean, forages and many minor crops, along with flax and hard red spring wheat. , North Dakota State University is the home of two historic research plots that are listed on the national register of historic sites. Plot 2 was broken up from prairie land and has been in continuous wheat since 1882. Plot 30 has been in continuous flax since 1894. Both research plots are still being used for agricultural research by NDSU scientists. , The increased diversity of crops made possible by public and private research has been a boon to producers and the economy of the area. Adding broadleaf and specialty crops to traditional small grain production has allowed development of good rotational cropping systems that help control crop diseases and increase productivity, and alternative crops have provided opportunities for value-added agriculture.