USDA says ND crops continue to progress

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The plantings of North Dakota's barley, durum, spring wheat and oats crops continued to progress well ahead of last year's pace.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture in its weekly crop, livestock and weather report says that barley is 55 percent planted. And the durum crop advanced 6 percentage points to 41 percent planted, about six weeks ahead of last year.

Spring wheat and oats were 66 and 56 percent planted, respectively.

Farmers have also gotten a jump on the planting of dry edible peas, flaxseed and sugar beets.

The USDA says that vast areas of North Dakota are in good condition for fieldwork, though some reports indicated work was slowed by precipitation in localized portions.

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