This photo shared by the Peterson Farm in Salina County, Kansas, was taken on June 5, as the opening day of the 2026 harvest launched. (U.S. Wheat Associates)
Kansas is on track for its smallest winter wheat harvest in nearly 70 years, as drought and early-season freezes take a major toll. USDA projects Kansas farmers will harvest about 196 million bushels this year, down sharply from nearly 347 million bushels in 2025. Kansas State University agricultural economist Dan O’Brien says the decline comes as the national winter wheat crop also falls to an estimated 471 million bushels, compared with 804 million last year.
The USDA says hard red winter wheat, typically the nation’s largest wheat class, is forecast to have its smallest crop since the 1957-58 marketing year. Some industry experts worry that the drought and freeze pattern could become a longer-term concern.
The Kansas Reflector said the smaller harvest adds to financial challenges facing farmers and ranchers, including rising bankruptcy filings and deep crop losses across several commodities.
NAFB news service
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