Kingfisher County’s wheat harvest kicked off over the weekend.

Monday’s clear, warm weather brought a surge of harvesting countywide, but a forecast of rain for the rest of the week caused concern for harvesters.

Reports of cutting came in from several locations across the southern half of the county.

Jason Kroener, manager of CHS Elevators, reported harvest got under way Saturday in the Okarche area and continued on Sunday.

The first loads tested in the 60-pound range in weight and had moisture tests in the 13.5% range.

Yields were running in the 40 bushel to the acre range up to highs of 70.

Randall Varnell, manager of Wheeler Brothers Grain elevator in Kingfisher, reported several producers began harvesting over the weekend, but said Monday provided the first really good har- vest weather.

“We’re getting busier today (Monday),” he said.

First loads arrived last week with increasing harvesting Friday at Wheeler Brothers.

Varnell reported early yields in the 40 bushels per acre range but said enough grain has not been received to make an accurate reading, yet.

Varnell reported harvest started Monday at the Wheeler Brothers’ Reeding elevator.

Tim Weber, manager of Omega CHS Elevator, reported starting activity over the weekend with test samples getting heavier on Monday.

Eugene Roach, manager of Wheeler Brothers Elevator at Omega reported receiving test samples of grain Monday as did Tyler Elwood, manager of Okarche Grain and Feed Elevator (Shawnee Milling), west of Okarche. He predicted a late Monday night at the elevator, as the harvest picked up speed.

Cashion Grain and Feed Elevator reported wheat began arriving over the weekend and test samples were coming in Monday, indicating increased activity.

The Hennessey CHS Elevator was closed Monday but an elevator spokesperson Tuesday said a harvester called Monday to say he was cutting but had not brought any grain in, yet. Harvest in the northern part of the county normally starts a day or two after the southern half of the county.

Oklahoma Farm Report said harvest has begun in southern portions of the state.

Early reports in all locations show test weights ranging from 60 to 63 lbs. per bushel. (The wheat reported at 60 lbs. per bushel was at a higher moisture level, so producers are hopeful as moisture goes down test weights will still go up.)

Proteins ranging from 11.1% to 12.5% with more of the proteins on early cuttings being reported in the 11.9% to 12.5% range. Early yields being reported at 40 to 45 bushels per acre. Higher yields are predicted on intensively managed wheat.

“Keep in mind this region has been considered the bright spot of the state for growing conditions this year,” the report said.

The state has received a large amount of hail damage in South Central, Oklahoma last night with large amounts of hail damage in other regions of Southwest Oklahoma and Northern Oklahoma over the past two weeks. A more comprehensive report will be published on Thursday.