Weather Problems

    The worst weather problem in 1996 was flooding and wet weather, as reported for 34% of
Minnesota respondents' acres, 47% of North Dakota respondents' acres and 44% of Northarvest respondents' acres (Table 11), numbers lower than in either of the past two years. Acres lost due to flooding were only 2% in each state, down from 7% in Minnesota and 6% in North Dakota in 1995. Drought or dry conditions were a problem on 16% of Minnesota, 9% of North Dakota and 11% of Northarvest respondents' acres. Hail was a problem on 12% of Minnesota and 5% of North Dakota respondents' acres, and heat stress was a problem on 10% of respondents' acres in each state.  Losses other than those from flooding and wet weather were minimal in both states.

    Flooding and wet conditions damaged 66% of respondents' acres in MN1, down from 91% in
1995. Damage from flooding and wet conditions in other Minnesota districts ranged from none in
MN2 to 34% of respondents' acres in MN5. Flooding and wet conditions damaged 67% of
respondents' acres in ND4, slightly less than in 1995, followed by 54% in ND2, 49% in ND1, 43%
in ND3 and 26% in ND5. The percentage of acres lost due to flooding were highest in MN1 and
ND4, where losses were 4% (Table 12).

    The greatest damage from drought and dry conditions occurred in districts MN3, MN4 and MN5, where 23%, 33% and 21% of respondents' acres were damaged, respectively. Hail damage was greatest in MN2, where 32% of respondents' acres were damaged, followed by MN5 where 27% of respondents' acres were damaged. Damage from heat stress was greatest in MN2, where 30% of respondents' acres were damaged, followed by ND2, where 16% of respondents' acres were damaged, and MN5 and ND1, each with 10% of acres damaged (Table 12).