MINOT, N.D. (KMOT) — The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to impact gas prices here at home.

We wanted to learn more about the current state of prices and why they aren’t lower due to the presence of the oil industry in our state.

On Monday, we told you gas prices are up roughly 15 cents across the peace garden state since last Monday and almost half a dollar in the past month.

The statewide average of $3.60 a gallon remains well below most of the rest of the country.

Eugene Graner of Heartland Investors said prices should eventually come back down as we approach an end to the conflict overseas.

Graner added that it’s typical for prices to increase as warmer weather approaches, as summer blends require a more expensive refining process.

“Prices currently may have peaked out and conversely see the prices decline towards summer, when we normally expect a price rise,” said Graner.

While North Dakota has drilling, pipelines and refineries, Graner added that doesn’t mean motorists in our state will necessarily see lower prices at the pump, as it still needs to be transported to refineries and then to market.

He added that Fargo can sometimes have ‘lower’ prices since they have three pipelines in the area.

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• North Dakota will lead a new U.S. Department of Agriculture initiative to advance farm technology.
• Grand Farm, a research campus near Fargo, will manage the national program and serve as its first proving ground.
• The project will launch with $11 million in funding and initially focus on weed control in North Dakota and Georgia.

CASSELTON, N.D. — North Dakota will lead the nation in a U.S. Department of Agriculture push to improve farm technology and research, federal officials announced Tuesday.

U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., said Grand Farm, a research campus west of Fargo, will be the national program manager for USDA’s National Proving Grounds Network for AgTech. Grand Farm will also be the first proving ground in the network, focusing on weed control. 

North Dakota launched Grand Farm seven years ago, integrating research capabilities from North Dakota State University at Fargo with industry partners such as tech giant Microsoft.

Hoeven said Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, who visited Grand Farm last year, recognized that North Dakota provided a model for ag tech research and could be the manager for the rollout. 

“It’s a huge deal,” Hoeven said. “It’s Grand Farm going national.” 

Hoeven announced that $11 million will launch the proving grounds, a collaboration of Grand Farm, USDA’s Agricultural Research Service and NDSU. 

Scott Hutchins, USDA under secretary for research, education and economics, said the first year of research will be concentrated in North Dakota and Georgia. The University of Georgia announced a partnership with Grand Farm in 2024. 

He said after reviewing results from the first year, the department plans to accept proposals for research hubs in other states, eventually creating the national network. 

Hutchins said profitability is a top priority. He said there has been a boom in ag technology, but farmers need help sifting through it all.