For the first time in nearly a decade, some area wheat farmers are looking forward to harvest. Timely rains, moderate temperatures, and a lack of insect infestations and disease are not common to all farmers, but those who have earned special treatment from Mother Nature are feeling good about current conditions.

One of those producers is very pleased with the prospect. The Hubbs families east of Hawk Springs, Wyo., are excited about their 2008 crop.

"It's excellent this year," said Marti Hubbs on Tuesday afternoon. "We're very happy. This is the first time in seven years."

She said the early test weight has been 61 pounds.

Although Colorado and Kansas farmers, as well as those in southern Nebraska, are near or above the halfway mark of the 2008 harvest, producers in the Panhandle and eastern Wyoming are just getting a good start. In most cases it is still too early to have a good indication on test weights, yield and protein. Most elevators in the area started taking grain late last week or on Monday this week.

Scoular Grain in Sidney reported a fairly good quality crop, so far. However, business didn't pick up until Tuesday. The early numbers indicated that dryland wheat is expected to have an average yield of about 35 to 45 bushels. Irrigated wheat had not been delivered yet. Some producers in the Sidney area did receive bad hail, but for the most part, there was no major damage to the area crop.

Farmers Elevator at Dix began receiving loads on Friday, and business is slowly picking up. South of Dix, where it has been very dry, yields as well as protein are are expected to be low. North of town, conditions have been better, and the crop seems to be also. With only about 50 trucks in, test weights are fairly good. Kimball began receiving wheat late last week. Early indications are for an average to just above average crop. A lot of slow maturing wheat in the area could drag out harvest, which is expected to last two to three weeks.

Farmers began bringing their wheat to the Panhandle Coop Elevator at Lyman on Monday. There is no indication yet of the quality or yield of the crop in that area.

The LaGrange Grain Co. at LaGrange, Wyo., has not yet received any wheat.