Good morning, Williston.

Agriculture Finance Specialist Bryon Parman said pasture rent prices reached record-high levels with a roughly 4% increase from last year due to higher cattle inventory and drought conditions.

He warned that rental rates will likely continue to rise—if commodity prices remain low and interest rates stay high.

Biologists counted ducks in a May survey that showed pond counts were 52nd highest in 78 years with a 38% drop from last year.

Recent rain improved wetlands while the estimated duck population fell 9% to 2.66 million with mallard numbers down 26%—the lowest since 1993—and more grass and upland nesting habitat is needed for a rebound.

The North Dakota Highway Patrol warns residents of two scams—texts that falsely claim to bill for traffic fines and phone calls that ask for donations to an organization the agency does not represent.