Association says sunflower harvest underway

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BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The National Sunflower Association says this year's harvest should be done well ahead of average.

A killing freeze in much of the Northern Plains last week put growers into full harvest mode.

The association says that combines will be working steady this week thanks to a forecast of unseasonably warm temperatures and no precipitation.

North Dakota's crop is rated 51 percent good, 35 percent fair, 7 percent poor, 6 percent excellent and 1 percent very poor. South Dakota's crop is rated 46 percent fair, 27 percent poor, 24 percent good and 3 percent very poor.

Early harvest reports from central North Dakota are coming in at 1,700 to 2,200 pound yields.

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