Soaking rains after several days of spring-like weather have area grain fields fresh and green and the cattle on them looking fat and healthy.

That’s the bright side.

The other side of the coin is that wheat is maturing ahead of schedule, causing concerns about the possibility of freeze damage if winter decides to pay a return visit.

Kingfisher County Extension Director-Agricultural Agent Bryan Kennedy said the abundant moisture creates concerns for small grain producers about the possibility of fungus and other diseases.

He also pointed out that the cattle picture is also one of concern with futures prices dropping the daily trading limit, apparently in response to coronavirus concerns.

“I don’t like to be pessimistic but that is the picture we’re facing,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy said wheat is at an advanced stage because “we haven’t had a winter – not enough cold weather for the grain to go into dormancy.”

However, he added, that’s just part of what farmers go through every year, relying on Mother Nature.

The forecast calls for a chance of additional rain.

Kingfisher received a total of 3.4 inches of moisture during the week, Local Weather Observer Steve Loftis reported, bringing the total for the year to 7.67 inches.

Other rainfall amounts reported across the county included:

Cashion – 2.5 inches at the Johnson Farms two miles west and one mile south of Cashion and two inches at Cashion Grain and Feed Elevator in Cashion.

Crescent – three inches.

Dover – 3.6 inches at the residence of Jimmy and Margo Stitt, two miles north of Dover. Jeremy Ingle said his rain gauge is broken but he got four feet of water in his basement.

Loyal – 2.5 inches at the Jon Cochran Sr. residence in Loyal.

Hennessey – 3.04 inches at the Harold Ebers residence near Hennessey.

Omega –two inches at the CHS Elevator at Omega.

Kingfisher – 3.0 inches at the Twila Adams residence east of Kingfisher and 3.1 inches at the Mike and Donna Reid residence southwest of Kingfisher.

Okarche – two inches at both CHS Elevator in Okarche and Okarche Grain and Feed Elevator west of Okarche.

Mesonet rainfall recordings for the past week included: Kingfisher 2.96 inches, El Reno 2.95 inches, Yukon 3.97 inches, Marshall 2.31 inches, Watonga 2.25 inches, Hinton 2.74 inches, Fairview 1.73 inches, Seiling 1.27 inches, Tipton 2.28 inches, Apache 3.32 inches, Ft. Cobb 4.18 inches, Altus 4.18 inches.