Western North Dakota is defined by wide-open spaces, the mighty, historic Missouri River and an arid landscape of eroded rock formations called the Badlands. It’s a dynamic setting where agriculture also flourishes, contributing to the state’s national prominence in the farm industry. “North Dakota ranks in the top five in crop production acreage for 16 different crops, with a No. 1 rank in acreage among states in seven crops,” says Tyler Tjelde, a research agronomist for the Williston Research Extension Center.