By Scout Nelson
The Kansas Wheat Harvest Report kicked off this week with the season’s first update. Brought by the Kansas Wheat Commission and partners, the report shares that harvest began in southern Kansas but has been moving slowly.
Recent scattered showers and high humidity have kept combined from starting until late afternoon on most days. Harvest has reached as far north as Mitchell County along the I-135 corridor, but fields remain wet in many places.
According to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service report for the week ending June 15, 2025, Kansas’ wheat harvest is just 3 percent complete. That is far behind last year’s 25 percent and also below the five-year average of 11 percent. Winter wheat conditions are currently rated at 21 percent poor to very poor, 30 percent fair, and 49 percent good to excellent.
“Harvest began last Monday, June 9, but it has been hit or missed. They’ve only taken in about 10% of the bushels they expect, but should be halfway complete by now,” said one grain manager. Reports suggest yields range from 26 to 50 bushels per acre, which could result in an average crop. Later-maturing varieties may benefit from recent rain, and disease pressure has been low so far. Dry, sunny weather is needed for better progress.
However, the harvest may be interrupted again. The National Weather Service in Wichita forecasts severe thunderstorms for Tuesday afternoon. Expected conditions include wind gusts up to 80 mph, hail as large as tennis balls, and heavy rain.
A grain merchandiser noted that harvest in their area started on June 10, but only about 5 percent of wheat has been brought in. Typically, they would be about a third done by now. While rain has slowed progress, the early wheat quality has been strong, and yields are better than last year.
Photo Credit:gettyimages-ygrek
Categories: Kansas, Crops, Wheat, Weather