Quinoa Production in Central North Dakota

The process for choosing the seed was based on previous growing experience in the area.  The varieties chosen were cherry vanilla and brightest brilliant rainbow.  Research for seed choice was also based on recommendations from Wild Garden Seeds in Oregon, where the seed was purchased. 

The process for choosing equipment to plant quinoa was based on experience and advice from growers of plants of similar seed size, such as sugar beets.  Glendon Philbrick, with the assistance of Richard Philbrick, converted a John Deere 70 row corn planter to plant the small seed by adding custom seeding pates with depth bands.  Steve Eid modified a John Deere 8300 double disk drill by blocking the seed chutes and followed planting with a culti-packer.  Steve Eid used a companion legume crop in crop year 2016.  The companion crop was white lupins.  Glendon Philbrick utilized row cultivation for weed control. Glendon Philbrick planted winter rye to deal with kochia, bindweed, and other weeds by planting winter rye during the fall of 2015.  Glendon elected to mow the rye in May and cultivate the field twice to kill the rye.  Steve Eid did use post planting cultivation.  Steve used a Versatile 400 swather to swath the quinoa and combined the quinoa using a Gleaner F with air foil sieve.  The seeding rate was 1.25 pounds per acre based on recommendations from research in Missouri.  Steve Eid used a mixture of chicken grit and granular WinField Crop Mix 1 LS Micro nutrient.  These were added to the quinoa seed to produce a 20 pound per acre seeding rate. A killing frost was recommended for dry down before swathing.  Planting dates were between May 25 and June 1st. Harvest dates depended on maturity. 

The process for the marketing model was to communicate with potential buyers in central North Dakota.  Tours were going to be utilized for education as well as a presentation at a conference.   

Impact of Results/Outcomes

Soil samples taken before 2016 spring planting at Eid’s farm indicated lower K and higher P compared to 2015 field.  Nitrogen levels were slightly higher on the 2016 field at 75 to 85 pounds per acre.  Soil PH ranged from 7.3 to 7.6 in comparison to 7.7 in 2015.  Forage quantity, stem strength, and seed head size appear to have improved in comparison to 2015 growth.

On Eid’s farm, an unusual dry patch of ten days resulted in very little germination before July 3rd.  Heat from mid-July killed most of the immature lupin plants.  Lack of growth in 2016 created spotty growth. 

Mechanical harvest was not possible for 2016 because of the spotty growth.  Lack of growth in 2016 created spotty growth.  Hand harvest was instead utilized.  This consisted of cutting Quinoa plants two inches above soil, tying into bunches, and drying while hanging in large paper bags.  Once dry, any seeds were removed with a light gleaning action with a hand.  Removal of leaf and stem material will require a cleaning with a fanning mill.  A double sieve setup with a 1/18 x 1/8 top screen and 1/16 round bottom screen is required for seed cleaning.  Glendon Philbrick could clean most foreign material from quinoa with a Clipper Mill with custom made sieves, except for bindweed.

As noted, the planting date for 2016 was over one week later than 2015 planting.  An early planting of May 25th to June 1st appears to be a top limiting factor in good seed germination and plant stand.  Quinoa appears to have a sensitivity towards drought and heat during its early growth.  An early planting will help reduce this sensitivity.  Very early planting before May 20th is not recommended because of the potential loss from frost and cold soils reducing seed germination. 

Over the last two years, Eid’s farm has proven that Quinoa can be planted using a conventional press drill.  A completely level, firm, tilled and weed free seed bed is required for any quinoa germination.  Minimal till or no till drills in combination with finish tillage will produce very good germination and plant growth. Philbrick’s farm proved a row planter with depth bands will work well for planting quinoa provided the seed bed is adequately prepared.   

Mechanical harvest using conventional swather and combine has been achieved.  A special sieve using a #12 triangle compared to a standard airfoil sieve may help reduce seed dockage during harvest.  Typical minimum yield should be estimated at 25 to 148 pounds of seed per acre.  For a conventional combine, it is best to set the air at 450-500.  Cylinder speed should be higher than speed used with wheat.  The concave space was set at 1/8 – ¼ inch.  The spacing worked well.    

Forage samples collected in 2015 and 2016 show Quinoa forage as a very good amendment to a Dried Distiller Grains feedlot ration.  A price per ton should be equal to corn stover or cereal grain straw.  Average retail price for Organic Quinoa ranges from 4 to 9 dollars per pound.  Direct marketing yielded a top price of 11 dollars per pound in Bismarck.  The bitter saponin seed coating removal remains the leading barrier to direct marketing.  Quinoa cut for hay is preferred by cattle over alfalfa and brome grass hay.  The cattle cleaned up the bales to the point they ate the stalks.  The stalks are rather hard but the cattle ate them anyway. 

There is no conventional process for growing quinoa because it does not tolerate any pesticide.  Companion cropping was used, which is not typical in conventional farming.  The companion crop grew on Eid’s farm but died after an extended hot season.  Flowering was noticed in the companion crop which is a benefit to pollinating insects. 

Glendon Philbrick’s field germinated within seven days of planting for crop year 2016.  Glendon had lupin seed available for a companion crop but did not seed it when it appeared moisture would be inadequate.  Inadequate moisture after germination resulted in the quinoa drying up. The field was cultivated under after that point. 

A presentation was conducted in January 2016 in Aberdeen, SD at the NPSAS conference.  There was much interest in the processes for growing quinoa.  About thirty people attended the workshop, including grain buyers.  Glendon Philbrick hosted two cooking classes in the winter of 2016.  One was held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Turtle Lake, ND and the other in the Extension Kitchen at United Tribes Technical College.  Both classes were filmed.   The class held at Trinity Lutheran was aired on FARRMS Wednesday noon learning sessions held online. 

Glendon did not hold a farm tour because the crop dried up. 

Irene Graves had provided information for putting together a fact sheet for growing quinoa in central North Dakota. 

The results from the cooking classes and conference presentation were a surprise because one did know what to expect.  Attendees of the conference did ask whether or not quinoa can be grown in North Dakota.