FARGO, N.D. (AP) -- Rain in North Dakota over the past week has slowed crop planting but also boosted topsoil moisture and pasture conditions.
The Agriculture Department says in its weekly crop and weather report that topsoil moisture supplies are rated 99 percent adequate to surplus, compared with the long-term average of 81 percent.
Fewer than four days were suitable for field work, but the planting of spring wheat -- North Dakota's staple crop -- is still on par with the average at 94 percent complete.
Pasture and range conditions in the state are rated 78 percent good to excellent, compared with only 49 percent last year at the same time.
