GRAND FORKS (AP) - The sugar beet crop in the northern Red River Valley is the best some farmers have seen in years, but many producers are battling to save their fields from floodwaters caused by heavy rains.

"I've been farming this river country for about 40 years, and I would say this is one of the top five crops that I've seen coming," said Gary Babinski, who farms north of Grand Forks. "It really looks good, so there's an extra reason to fight really hard to try to keep this crop."

Flooded fields have been a problem throughout eastern North Dakota this summer as wave after wave of thunderstorms have passed through the region.

In the northern part of the valley, heavy rain in the past two weeks "is what took the county over the edge," said Grand Forks County extension agent Willie Huot.

Some farmers in northeastern North Dakota are using bulldozers to build up earthen dikes and keep water off their fields.

"The cooperation amongst neighbors here has really been excellent, trying to cooperate with each other, to help each other to save the crops," Babinski said.

Soybeans and dry beans are most at risk.

"Dry beans are heavily stressed," Huot said. "This sets them up for disease, so we might see lower yields."

Huot said sunflowers, wheat and barley seem to still be in good shape.

"Sugar beets also look good, overall, and corn as well … potatoes, too, are holding up pretty well," he said.