The widespread rain that fell on Kansas winter wheat during the weekend was “just what the doctor ordered” and should help the crop recover at least somewhat from drought and freeze events, a Kansas wheat official told Farm Futures on Monday.

Related: Winter wheat 59% good/excellent

“The heaviest rain was in the western two-thirds of the state and that is where the wheat is,” said Aaron Harries, vice president of research and operations at the Kansas Wheat Commission.  “We lost bushels because of the drought and freeze events. This (rain) should give us some new hope.”

The widespread weekend rain should help the winter wheat recover from drought and freeze events. (Photo: Grigorenko/Thinkstock)

A few areas had hail that may have caused localized damage to emerged corn while the wheat should recover, he said.

Forecasts keep rain in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas the next few days week as the storm system gradually moves east. Flash flooding may occur in eastern Oklahoma and eastern Texas today and on Tuesday.

Kansas wheat was rated 50% good to excellent early last week, a 5-point drop from the previous week, as drought and freeze events hurt the crop. USDA will update crop ratings later on Monday but Harries said it may be another week before the ratings reflect the benefits of the weekend rain as it will take time for the crop to recover.

Related: Farmers are cutting back on wheat seedings

Ratings for Oklahoma and Texas wheat also dropped last week, with Oklahoma at 54% good to excellent and Texas at 45%.

The latest 6- to 10-day outlook (April 23-27) favors above-normal precipitation and warm weather for much of the hard red winter areas of the Plains.