Harvest falls behind average pace for many crops in North Dakota; rain hampers small grains

Producers in the northern and central parts of North Dakota say persistent rainfall has hampered the harvest of small grains.

The weekly crop report from the U.S. Agriculture Department shows that harvest for durum, spring wheat, barley, oats and canola all lagged behind both last year's pace and the five-year average.

Spring wheat harvested was 42 percent, trailing the 70 percent from last year and the 74 percent average.

Winter wheat harvested has reached 76 percent.

Farmers reported that hail in isolated areas affected standing crops. Warmer and drier conditions were needed to help row crops reach maturity.

Pasture and range conditions were rated 22 percent excellent, 62 percent good, 13 percent fair and 3 percent poor.