Additional heavy rains Tuesday night threw another roadblock in front of the area small grain harvest.

A forecast calling for several days of clear weather improved the outlook for harvest to restart late in the week and pick up steam over the weekend.

Area rain measured from 1.86 inches in Kingfisher to 2.42 inches at Guthrie, according to the Mesonet site at the Mueggenborg farm west of Kingfi sher. I

ndividual reports from around the county ranged from from 1.7 inches at the Dave Krittenbrink residence at Okarche to 3.2 inches at the Elaine Stratton residence at Dover.

The heavy rains, coming on top of already harvest- halting moisture, left fi elds already sodden with water standing in some and weeds and grass showing up in many.

Wheeler Brothers Elevator Manager Randall Varnell said that he expected some producers to attempt to try harvesting on Thursday, but Friday was a more likely day to resume.

He said a few loads of grain came in early in the week but that came from grain harvested the preceding week.

Varnell pointed out that most of the ground that dries out quickly had already been cut. All wheat harvested to this point has held up in weight and quality, Varnell said Thursday.

CHS Elevator’s Kyle Schroder in Okarche said Thursday he expected full harvesting operations to resume by Saturday.

“A few may try to get in the field on Thursday, but Saturday is a more likely prediction,” he said.

He also reported high quality grain from the early harvested wheat with a slight drop in weight from the grain harvested late the preceding week.

Schroder said the local forecast calls for clearing skies, which will allow the harvest to resume full blast.

Kingfisher CHS Elevator Manager Chris Townsley reported a small amount of grain arrived there Thursday.

“It’s still muddy,” he said, but he expected it to pick up by Friday and heavier harvesting on Saturday.

Townsley reported the wheat arriving Thursday was still testing 57 and 58 pounds.

Okarche Grain and Feed manager Ty Elwood said he expected light harvesting to resume by Friday with heavier harvesting beginning Saturday.

Cashion Grain and Feed Elevator manager John Schaefer saw a possibility of harvest resuming with a little help from the wind, but estimated full harvest activity would resume on Saturday.

Schaefer estimated the at maybe 20% complete there.

A Hennessey CHS elevator spokesperson said the harvest there, which normally trails the rest of the county, finally got into the swing of harvest late a week ago, but hoped for a resumption by the weekend.

Rye was still reported not ready for combines on Thursday.

Eugene Roach, manager of CHS Elevator at Omega, predicted a resumption of harvest by the weekend “if we get a little wind.”

He estimated the Omega- Loyal area harvest at “maybe 25%” complete.

A spokesman at Wheeler Brothers Grain Elevator at Omega on Thursday likewise predicted a Saturday harvest resumption.

“We’re doing field checks today,” he said.

The state harvest report Thursday by the Oklahoma Wheat Commission was brief, stating: “Harvest is virtually at a standstill in all locations across the state due to rains over the weekend. Some producers were hopeful the ground would carry equipment in parts of central and north-central Oklahoma late this afternoon.

“Oklahoma wheat harvest made strides Wednesday through Friday of last week, but statewide rains across most regions of the wheat belt have since hindered progress. Producers and custom harvesters have been getting late starts, even on days they could enter fields, due to high humidity.

“Test weights have dropped in some locations of southwest and central Oklahoma, but overall weights remained 60-plus in most areas through Friday evening. In northern Oklahoma, where wheat has a later maturity date, it is hoped test weights will hold up once producers are able to resume harvest.

“Yields across the state have ranged from 30 to 50 bushels per acre, depending on management practices. Producers following intensive management plans have reported yields from the mid-60s to mid-80s, depending on weather and location. Protein levels have ranged from 10.5% to 11.4%, with higher levels noted in parts of south-central and central Oklahoma where proteins have tested as high as 13.7%.

“The Oklahoma Wheat Commission estimates harvest is 30% complete.”

Local Weather Observer Steven Loftis reported Tuesday night’s rain measured 2.22 inches at the National Weather Service Station in Kingfisher.

Other local rainfall reports by individuals from Tuesday night included: Tom Arms, three miles west of Kingfisher, 2.0 inches; Melissa Knecht, three miles east of Okarche, 2.5 inches; Daniel Ruhl, Kingfisher, 1.86 inches; Cathy Howard, Lacy, three inches; Barry Crosswhite 10 miles east of Kingfisher, 2.0 inches; Mike Rosen, two miles southeast of Kingfisher, 1.8 inches; Rick and Robin Johnston, northwest of Dover, 2.2 inches, and Twila Adams, five miles east of Kingfisher, 2.0 inches.