PENDLETON — The wheat harvest is beginning in northeast Oregon.

Bryce Olson, a commodity marketer in Pendleton, tells the East Oregonian that some farmers are beginning to take wheat off fields that aren’t irrigated.

Growers and marketers say it’s too early to make good assessments of the harvest, though. Irrigated fields aren’t yet in.

The harvest isn’t expected to begin until later this month in other areas of northeast Oregon, perhaps as late as August in the La Grande area.

Olson says wheat planted earlier may be of above-average quality, and crops planted later may be average.

South of Hermiston, Tim Hawkins says his grain came through a hot spell in May and looks good, with average yields.