Kansas winter wheat harvest projected at lowest levels since 1950s

Kansas is projected to see its smallest winter wheat harvest since the 1950s. According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report cited by agricultural economist Dan O’Brien, Kansas is expected to produce 196 million bushels, a significant decrease from the nearly 347 million bushels produced during the same period last year.

Nationally, winter wheat production is forecast at 471 million bushels, down from 804 million last year. The USDA noted that Hard Red Winter (HRW) wheat, a major U.S. production class, is expected to have its smallest crop since 1957/58.

Farmers in Kansas have faced a combination of drought and early-season freezes. This shortfall occurs amid rising financial pressures; the Kansas Farm Bureau reported that national Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies increased by 46% in 2025 compared to 2024. Nick Levendofsky, executive director of the Kansas Farmers Union, indicated that weather challenges, rising input costs, and geopolitical difficulties are forcing farmers to reconsider their livelihoods and crop diversification.