USA: Montana�s barley crop nearly 50% harvested

Montana's small grains harvest is ahead of last year. The Montana field office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service said roughly half of the state's spring barley crops were harvested as of August 21, according to Associated Press.

Rain and severe hail storms hurt some crops and forage land in Eastern Montana, though the agency didn't quantify the extent of damage. Topsoil moisture for the week was rated 67 percent short to very short, 32 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus; the levels were similar to the previous week, the agency said. Subsoil moisture was 69 % short to very short and 31 % adequate.