16 Aug Janel: Rich, amber-colored durum

North Dakota — It’s now August 5, and we are cutting durum and spring wheat. The durum is such a beautiful grain with its rich amber color. It’s been yielding in the 60s and 70s. Our weather has been hot and dry, but just yesterday it was a beautiful, breezy 70-degree day. It was a nice change from the high heat.

Durum is used to make pasta and specialty breads. It thrives in a climate where there are cool summer nights and warm days with adequate, but not excessive, rainfall and dry harvesting conditions. All of that is typical of western North Dakota, where the majority of durum is grown in the United States.

We have two combines here and seven combines in Montana. Our forecast stays cool and cloudy for the next 10 days. The crops are ready, but it’s a weather deal now to get them harvested.

Janel Schemper can be reached at janel@allaboardharvest.com.

Thank you to our 2024 All Aboard Wheat Harvest sponsors: High Plains Journal, Kramer Seed Farms, Lumivia by Corteva Agriscience, Merit Auctions, Shelbourne Reynolds, Unverferth Manufacturing Co., and U.S. Custom Harvesters, Inc.