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N.D. (AP) – The harvest of small grains in North Dakota remains well ahead of the average pace after another week of favorable weather.

The Agriculture Department says in its latest crop and weather report that the harvest of the state’s staple spring wheat crop has reached the halfway point. Typically, less than 10 percent of the crop would be in the bin at this time of year. And one-fourth of the durum wheat and two-thirds of the barley have been combined.

The report says some areas in eastern North Dakota received much-needed rainfall during the past week. Most of that region is in drought.

Ranchers statewide are haying all possible areas, as precipitation is needed for the regrowth of pasture and the replenishing of livestock water supplies.