On The Farm: Seeding in Full Swing | Video

Nick Dreyer | 4/25/2012

Wheels were turning all over the area Wednesday as farmers make a huge push in spring planting. With 75 percent of the state with adequate moisture, you don`t have to dig too far to find the dark soil.

"The conditions are totally different. We were extremely wet in this area and this year it`s looking up and people are pretty optimistic and things are starting to happen,” said Willow City farmer Orlan Dreyer.

Things are even starting roll on the Dreyer farm. Dad began spreading fertilizer on his field, hoping to grow a bountiful flax crop.

"There are a lot of weeds here now. In the last couple of days there`s mustard and kochia. Yah, there`s some weeds,” says Dreyer.

Since Dad lost his companion, Ginger the dog, last fall, he`s a little lonesome on the farm. Fortunately my brother Darren was there to help cultivate.

"Son Darren is here for a few days and he`s going to help me out. We got a few things done and maybe I can get some more work out of him,” said Dreyer.

After Dad is done with his quarter, he`s going to move over to my land. It`s a lot wetter over there. We`re hoping to seed 100 of the 145 acres. Last year we didn`t seed an acre on my land and we probably won`t seed on the east side again this year.

"That water table is high and there is no drainage and that water just sits. Once that water seals up the ground it basically has to evaporate,” said Dreyer.

We`re still hoping to seed canola by mid-May, but we can always switch to barley and seed in early June if need be.

(Nick Dreyer farms 145 acres of land on his family farm near Willow City, ND)

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