More ND Spring Wheat Expected to be Planted

FARGO, N.D. (AP) - The Agriculture Department says North Dakota

farmers this year are expected to plant more spring wheat but less

durum wheat.

Spring wheat is used in bread products and is North Dakota's

staple crop. Farmers are expected to plant 6.7 million acres, up 4

percent from last year. Acres of durum, which is used for pasta,

are expected to be down 9 percent to 1.5 million.

The Agriculture Department says an increase in acres is expected

in North Dakota for corn, canola, sunflowers, sugar beets, lentils,

flaxseed and dry edible beans. Barley, oats, hay and winter wheat

acres are expected to drop. Dry edible pea acres are expected to be

unchanged in the state.

The estimates released Wednesday are based on farmer surveys in

early March. Information on actual plantings will be obtained in

early June.

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