FARGO, N.D. (AP) - Rainfall up to 3 inches in the last week halted fieldwork in the northern half of North Dakota, but livestock producers were busy moving cattle to pasture.
The Agriculture Department says in its weekly crop report that topsoil moisture was rated 3 percent short, 72 percent adequate and 25 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture rated 5 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 19 percent surplus.
The report says conditions for most crops were in the 70 to 80 percent range good or excellent. Planting for sunflowers, flaxseed, potatoes and dry edible peas and beans were well ahead of last year's pace and five-year average.
Pasture and range conditions rated 6 percent poor or very poor, 78 percent fair or good, and 16 percent excellent. Ranchers say grass is in good supply.