Warmer weather helps farmers in ND start fieldwork

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- Warmer, drier weather conditions have helped farmers in North Dakota start fieldwork.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says in its weekly crop report that producers were able to start preparing fields by the middle of last week.

Spring wheat seeding was rated 7 percent complete. This is well behind last year at 80 percent and the average and the 40 percent average.

Calving was 90 percent complete, while lambing was 94 percent complete.

Cattle and calf conditions were rated 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 66 percent good and 8 percent excellent.

Sheep and lamb conditions rated 4 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 67 percent good and 8 percent excellent.