By Scout Nelson
The 2026 Kansas wheat harvest is entering its final stage as favorable weather conditions continue to support harvesting activities across the state. According to the Day 11 Kansas Wheat Harvest Report, many producers expect to complete harvest operations by the end of the week.
In western Kansas, harvest progress was temporarily slowed by rainfall after the first loads were delivered in mid-June. However, improved weather conditions have allowed farmers to return to the fields and move steadily toward completion. Reports indicate that most dryland wheat fields are now between 75 and 80 percent harvested.
Despite the progress, crop performance has varied significantly across different areas. Drought conditions, freeze damage, and hailstorms affected wheat development during the growing season, leading to uneven yields and some abandoned acres.
"There has been a lot of variability, and a lot of wheat that has just been left for cover," said Sieck. "Drought, freeze damage and hail led to highly variable yields and a lot of abandoned acres in the area."
Test weights in affected regions have generally ranged from 60 to 65 pounds per bushel, while yields have varied widely from 7 to 35 bushels per acre. Several wheat varieties, including KS Tradition, KS Territory, and selected Westbred varieties, have been noted for their performance during the season.
Farmers are also being encouraged to secure seed supplies for the upcoming planting season. Industry representatives have indicated that some wheat varieties may be in limited supply ahead of fall drilling, making early planning important.
In northern Kansas, grain facilities reported receiving their first wheat loads at the end of June. Harvest operations in several counties are now nearly complete, with only a small number of fields remaining.
"We have one farmer left that is cutting, but he’ll finish up today," said Winkler. "We’ve taken in about half as many bushels as we did last year. In our area, acres are just continuously declining year after year, so it is hard to compare this year to an average year for us."
Test weights in these areas have ranged from 58 to 63 pounds per bushel, while average yields have been reported between 50 and 65 bushels per acre.
"I think the late frost hurt the wheat in our area," said Winkler. "The wheat didn’t tiller like normal, which became a challenge for our farmers."
Photo Credit: gettyimages-ygrek
Categories: Kansas, Crops, Wheat, Weather