By Scout Nelson
Wheat production in western Nebraska is facing serious challenges this season due to harsh weather conditions. The crop was planted in fall 2025 during a period of drought, with very little rainfall and almost no snow. This created stress on the young plants right from the beginning.
During winter, the temperature remained warmer than usual. This prevented some wheat varieties from entering proper dormancy, which is essential for healthy growth. As a result, the crop became more vulnerable to weather changes.
“This has been the worst year I've seen since I started in this role in 2018. And we've seen some pretty gnarly years,” said Amanda Easterly, Nebraska Extension dryland cropping specialist.
Late winter brought unusually warm weather, followed by sudden freezing conditions in April. Temperatures dropped as low as 20 degrees in some areas during a critical growth stage. “It had been warm, and then it started freezing during that critical time of boot and heading in wheat,” Easterly said.
Due to these conditions, the wheat crop developed earlier than expected. However, the freeze damaged the plants before kernels could form. Within days, fields began to turn yellow, showing signs of severe loss. Some research fields are expected to be completely lost, while others may still recover slightly depending on rainfall and irrigation support.
Different regions in Nebraska have experienced varying levels of damage. Some counties have seen drought impact without freezing, while others have received recent rainfall that may help crops survive.
“Producers should plan for planting now,” Easterly said. “I think that we're going to see some trickle-down effects because wheat crops from here, all the way to Texas, are majorly impaired, if not totally gone. So, I am anticipating that seed availability may be a challenge.”
Experts advise growers to prepare early for next season, as seed options may be limited. Reports from research trials can help select alternative varieties. Managing volunteer wheat is also important to control pests and disease risks like aphids. For additional information on wheat freeze damage, refer to the CropWatch article “Assessing Freeze Injury to Wheat” along with its companion page, 2026 Wheat Scouting, where producers can upload photos of freeze injury from their fields. Stay updated with the latest information on the 2026 wheat tours by visiting the Wheat Variety Tours page.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-ygrek
Categories: Nebraska, Crops, Wheat, Weather