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higher than last year, according to USDA's August estimates. Production of durum wheat, which is used for pasta, is expected to be up 152 percent. If those estimates hold, the wheat crops will rebound to within 6 percent of their average sizes in the five years prior to the flooding.
• Much of the state's durum wheat is grown in northern areas that were hit hardest by flooding last year. Deutsch, who farms near Plaza, got only about half of his typical 3,000 durum acres planted last year, and it yielded fewer than 20 bushels per acre. This year, he expects about 35 bushels per acre.
• "It's a lot better year compared to last year," Deutsch said. "A lot of guys probably lived off crop insurance last year."
• North Dakota leads the nation in the production of spring and durum wheat, ac

counting for more than one-third of both crops. Increased production could be a factor in lower market prices this year, though increased imports of Canadian wheat also had influence, said Darin Newsom and Mary Kennedy, analysts at the Omaha, Neb.-based market information company DTN.
• South Dakota is sixth in corn production and eighth in soybean production. Its drop in production is not likely to influence markets, the analysts said, though with leading corn and soybean producing states also in drought, "it doesn't help the situation either."
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• CUSTER, S.D. (AP) -- Crews have contained 75 percent of the 2 ½-square-mile Kinney Fire in the Black Hills National Forest in southwestern South Dakota.
• Officials say extremely dry conditions and difficult terrain hampered the firefighting effort, but cooler temperatures, calmer winds and the arrival of additional firefighters Thursday helped. Full containment was expected late Friday.
• The cause of the blaze that began Tuesday northeast of Newcastle, Wyo., has not been determined. The blaze has destroyed two outbuildings and resulted in one minor injury.
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