Spring officially arrived last Tuesday and it’s showing in Kingfisher County, though not always on the temperature gauge.

Trees are budding out, with leaves expected soon, and early spring grasses are appearing, much to the delight of cow herds – and other grazing animals – that have been on hay diets during the winter months.

Area grain fields have left their winter dormancy and are growing fast, thanks in good measure to sufficient soil moisture, including early week showers.

Some fruit trees have already developed blooms.

Although crop prospects appear bright at this point, farmers are aware that you “don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”

There is always the threat of late freezes on the developing crops at critical stages, including disease, insects and hail; maybe even late flooding.

Local Weather Observer Steve Loftis recorded .25 inch of rain from Sunday’s showers, boosting already sufficient moisture.

Kingfisher County OSU Extension Director/Agriculture Educator Bryan Kennedy said he didn’t believe sub-freezing morning temperatures this week had hurt the county wheat crop, but rye fields in the northern parts of the county and Crescent area may have been affected some as the head development was a little further along.

He said he was checking temperature records to see how long the thermometer stayed below freezing.

After jointing, the growing point moves above the soil surface and is more susceptible to frost damage.

From boot through flowering, small grains are most sensitive to frost and will not tolerate temperatures below 28°F.

But when temperatures are below 50°F for several days before the frost, small grain crops go through a hardening process and develop more frost tolerance.

Drought stress prior to frost can also cause hardening of small grains and increase frost tolerance. Prior to jointing, hardened small grains have been shown to withstand temperatures as low as 14° F.

Kennedy said the showers the county received before the colder temperatures arrived likely helped the small grain fields avoid damage.

Sufficient moisture helps the situation, he pointed out. At this point, the crops look promising, Kennedy added.

“If weather patterns hold up, we could be on track for an outstanding harvest and possibly an early one,” he said.

“That being said, we all know how the weather can change,” he said, pointing out that a weather change to dryness and hot temperatures could change the picture quickly.

“At this point, we have hope,” he said.