The Kingfisher County wheat tour Monday turned out well despite the rain, County Extension Ag Educator Bryan Kennedy said.

Those attending met inside at the fairgrounds where Dr. Amanda de Oliveira Silva, extension wheat specialist and Dr.Tom Royer and Dr. Bob Hunger, both plant pathologists and entomology specialists, were all present to discuss wheat condition and problems, including mite infestations.

New machinery is being introduced that is capable of vacuuming extraneous matter from grain fields for analysis regarding insect and disease, it was reported.

The specialists spoke on prospects for the current crop year.

Kennedy said area small grain fields are in relatively good condition and have been aided by cool weather and ample moisture.

He said last week that damage to wheat from the late freeze may be less than indicated but producers are now faced with fungus issues.

Kennedy said wheat at the OSU Extension wheat plots west of Kingfisher are riddled with fungal damage, especially varieties with no bred-in fungus resistance.

He said he has found some freeze-damaged awns in fields he has visited but not as many as might have been expected from the extended freezing overnight temperatures two weeks ago.

Aerial applicators were busy in the Kingfisher area last week, apparently applying fungicide to wheat fields intended for harvest.