Wheat harvest struggled back into life last week after more rain problems.

County elevator operators, with whom the Times and Free Press could speak, reported that muggy weather, which delayed harvesting starts and ended cutting earlier, along with muddy fields continued to hamper harvesting efforts.

Despite the difficulties, Randall Varnell, manager of Wheeler Brothers Grain in Kingfisher, estimated that harvest had reached the 40 percent point by Thursday afternoon.

He said harvesting was going at a steady pace at that time.

Numerous recently- shorn wheat fields backed up that estimate.

Eugene Roach, area manager at the CHS Elevator at Omega, reported harvesting was picking up speed in that area.

A Cashion Grain and Feed Elevator spokesperson reported four or five local operators were harvesting and two more were getting ready to start.

Ty Elwood, manager at Okarche Grain and Feed, reported a sharp uptick in harvesting there with grain quality holding up well despite recent rains – in the 60-pound range.

He estimated harvesting at one-quarter complete there.

Debbie Gaither at CHS Elevator in Hennessey said harvest was “finally” under way there with wheat quality decent.

The Hennessey area was hit by heavy rains, high winds and hail last weekend, delaying the start of harvest due primarily to soggy fields.

The Oklahoma Wheat Commission reported the statewide wheat harvest made minor progress for the week in northern Oklahoma.

The wheat commission added: Some harvest is being reported on early cuttings of irrigated wheat in the Panhandle, but a lot of the wheat in this region is still green, and producers are hopeful to get a good start early or the middle of next week. (A large amount of the dryland wheat in the Panhandle has been terminated and will not be harvested due to the severe drought, and a lot of irrigated wheat has been laid down for hay.)

In southern Oklahoma test weights at most locations have fallen a bit now ranging mostly at 60 pounds per bushel average for that region.

In central and west central regions, test weights are ranging from 55-60 pounds per bushel. (The average in that central and west central region is still holding on in that 58 to 59 pounds per bushel range.)

But if rains continue it is predicted that might change.

Early reports from northern Oklahoma across the state have test weights ranging from 60-62 pounds per bushel, with a few lower test weights being reported at 58 pounds per bushel.