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North Dakota

Capital: Bismarck
Population: 642,200
Founded: November 2, 1889 (39th State)
State Bird: Western Meadowlark
State Tree: American elm
State Flower: Wild Prairie Rose
State Grass: Western Wheat Grass
Number of Counties: 53
Largest City: Fargo

Soil

North Dakota soil ranges from thick black loam in the Red River Valley, some of the richest agricultural land in the world, to more porous, sandy soils in the west. North Dakota farmers are experts in no-tillage and reduced tillage practices that help save the soil. The North Dakota State Soil is Williams. The motto, “Strength from the Soil,” appears on the state’s coat of arms and governor’s flag.

General

North Dakota has 30,300 family farms and ranches. The average North Dakota farm is 1,300 acres. North Dakota is 68,976 square miles in area with an average of 9.3 people per square mile. Farms and ranches occupy more than 39 million acres, almost 90% of North Dakota’s land area. North Dakota’s Agriculture Commissioner is Roger Johnson, a third- generation family farmer.

Animals

There are 1.9 million head of cattle, 185,000 pigs, 138,000 sheep in North Dakota. North Dakota dairy cattle produce 710 million pounds of milk. North Dakota produces about 2 million turkeys annually.

Climate

North Dakota’s climate is described as sub-humid continental, excellent for production of small grains and livestock. Annual precipitation ranges from 13" per year in the northwest to more than 20" in the southeast. January is the coldest month with average temperatures of 2oF in the northeast to 17oF in the southwest. July is the warmest month with average temperatures of 67 degrees in the northeast to 73oF in the south. North Dakota weather can be extreme! The state’s highest temperature reading – 121oF – and all-time low reading – 60oF below zero – were recorded less than six months apart in the same year, 1936!

North Dakota ranks first in the nation in the Production of many crops, including:

% of U.S. total
Spring wheat 42%
Durum 71%
Barley 31%
Sunflowers 49%
Dry edible beans 29%
Pinto beans 50%
Flaxseed 93%
Canola 82%
Honey 15%

North Dakota is also an important producer of sugar Beets, potatoes and oats. Specialty crops include Canola, lentils, field peas and buckwheat. Every time you eat spaghetti, chances are there’s North Dakota durum in it.