The 2021 wheat harvest got under way in a serious way on Monday in Kingfisher County.

Loads of wheat began arriving at elevators in Kingfisher and Okarche and a spokesman at CHS Elevator at Hennessey said heavier harvesting was expected to begin there on Tuesday.

The early loads were a trickle of what was expected to be a flood of harvesting as sunny, dry weather appears in the offing.

Clear, dry weather is expected the rest of the week with highs of 100 degrees and 101 degrees predicted for Thursday and Friday.

CHS Elevator at Okarche reached the halfway point on the harvest Monday, a spokesman said, staying open late Monday night to receive grain and accepting additional loads Tuesday morning as the Times and Free Press called to inquire about the harvest

Test weights continued high but protein was “all over the board,” the spokesman said — “even from the same field.”

High yields were reported in some fields by other sources, as high as 90 bushels an acre in spots with 70 bushel per acre averages.

Randall Varnell, manager of Wheeler Brothers elevator in Kingfisher, said a few loads of wheat arrived on Monday. “They’re (harvesters) still fighting moisture,” Varnell said.

However, he said the early harvested wheat had good test weights - 61 and 62 pounds per bushel (No. 1).

Varnell said the high humidity system was expected to leave the area this week, which would help harvesters get in the fields earlier and stay later.

CHS Elevator in Omega reported the harvest was “on the move” with a few loads delivered Monday and more expected Tuesday as the drying weather continued.

Okarche Grain Feed Elevator Manager Gary Altizer reported eight loads arrived there Thursday with excellent numbers in all categories - acceptable moisture, test weights in the 60s and decent protein content

A Cashion Grain and Feed elevator respondent said they were still waiting on fields to dry, although some grain had begun arriving.

Kingfisher’s CHS elevator reported receiving “a little bit” of grain Monday with heavier harvesting expected Tuesday.