One of the earliest winter wheat harvests in Kansas history is under way as farmers around Kiowa (KEYE’-oh-wah) begin cutting their crops.

The industry group Kansas Wheat reported Wednesday that 35 truckloads were delivered the previous day to the OK Co-op elevator in Barber County.

The elevator, near the Oklahoma state line, reports the harvest gained momentum in the area Wednesday amid temperatures in the 90s and strong south winds. Early yields ranged from 40 to 57 bushels per acre, with test weights averaging 56 to 62 pounds per bushel.

The Kanza Co-op elevator in Stafford says some fields hit by drought have already been cut.

In Cherokee County, a few loads of wheat were taken to the Farmers Co-op elevator in Columbus. Yields there averaged about 50 bushels per acre.