The Kansas wheat harvest began this week, barely. Shortly after it began, it was halted by rain and flooded fields. Kansas wheat farmers hope they can get back in gear before more severe weather strikes again.

Kansas farmers are extremely anxious to get in their fields and start harvesting once their wheat is ready.

One field in Barber County that was ready for harvest was destroyed by hail in the early morning hours Friday.

Fields in Harper and Sumner counties also suffered hail damage.

"The hail got all the wheat and went flat on the ground. It's no good.
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO? Nothing. Can't do anything. Start all over," said Barber County farmer Wayne Rucker.

The residents of Sharon had a harvest of broken glass. Nearly every home had broken windows and damaged siding from the same hail storm that damaged area crops.

Further south, Kiowa missed the heavy rain and hail that other areas had. Harvesting there got underway Friday afternoon.

"We took 400,000 bushels yesterday and we'll make 250 to 300 thousand today," said Kiowa Coop General Manager Alan Meyers.

The early reports from the harvest have been good.

"Pretty decent. I think the test weight's staying up there as high as 63.
Yields 55-to-70," said Larry Schroder, Custom Wheat Cutter.

55 to 70 bushels an acre is something farmers can smile about, especially with grain prices being currently higher.

The price of wheat jumped more than 30 cents per bushel Friday. The cash price in Kiowa went from $8.23 per bushel to $8.55. A major improvement compared to last year, when the price was $3.00 per bushel and the wheat was scarce.

After seeing this, no doubt farmers in the rest of Kansas will be anxious to get in their fields to start their harvest.