By Scout Nelson
Kansas wheat harvesting is moving forward steadily as the season reaches day four of active operations across the state. The harvest progress varies in different regions, depending on weather conditions and crop health. According to the USDA report for the week ending June 14, 2026, about 28 percent of the wheat harvest has been completed, which is much faster than the same time last year.
However, crop conditions remain a concern. Winter wheat is reported to be in poor health overall, with 25 percent rated very poor and 32 percent rated poor. Only 14 percent of the crop is considered good, and none is marked as excellent. These ratings reflect the challenges faced during the growing season.
Despite early concerns, some areas have shown unexpected results. In regions that receive timely rainfall, yields are better than expected. As one farmer noted, “In areas that were fortunate to catch a timely rain amidst the drought, wheat is yielding better than what could have been,” said Younker. “That has been a pretty pleasant surprise for some people.”
Even with some positive outcomes, challenges remain. Hail damage and dry conditions have affected yields in certain fields. One estimation mentioned yields in the 50-bushel range, even in fields with visible damage. Grain quality results have been moderate, with test weights and protein levels showing acceptable values.
Another farmer highlighted the impact of heavy rainfall, stating, “The big challenge was having 5-7 inches of rain a few days ago,” said Suppes. “It ruined some of the wheat with hail and flooded fields.” Such weather events have caused uneven crop performance across regions.
Grain collection centers reported that harvests gained momentum in recent days, with improved crop quality in some locations. Test weights were generally decent, and yields were slightly better than expected in select areas.
A key observation this year is the variation in crop performance. As noted, “The story of the year is variability,” said McMillan. “Something that really stings is that the stands in the fall were really beautiful, and a combination of the warmer-than-normal winter and no moisture in the spring led to a below-average crop.”
Overall, Kansas wheat harvest shows mixed outcomes, with fast progress but uneven results due to changing weather conditions.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-alex-chai
Categories: Kansas, Crops, Wheat, Weather