FARGO, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota row crops and pastures are getting a boost from recent rainfall.
The federal government's weekly crop report says moisture and cooler temperatures brought relief to most of North Dakota. Rainfall amounts ranged from one-half to one-and-a-half inches, with some areas getting over three inches. But the effects of earlier drought conditions are still being felt in the state. More than half of North Dakota's topsoil moisture supplies are rated short or very short.
Temperatures across the state last week averaged 2 to 8 degrees below normal.
The winter wheat crop is 98 percent mature. Harvesting was 75 percent complete, lagging behind last year's pace of 85 percent.
Spring wheat is 36 percent harvested, behind last year's 41 percent but ahead of the five-year average of 31 percent.