USDA: North Dakota corn harvest still behind; farmers wrap up combining of sunflowers

USDA: North Dakota’s corn harvest still behind

FARGO, N.D. — Snow across North Dakota in the past week has further hampered the corn harvest, though freezing temperatures have improved field conditions in wet areas.

The U.S. Agriculture Department says in its weekly crop report that the sunflower harvest has wrapped up but only about 53 percent of the North Dakota corn crop is harvested. That compares with the average of 93 percent at this time of the year.

The report says North Dakota ranchers are hauling hay and moving cattle to winter quarters in preparation for winter.