Dry Conditions Lead to Lowest U.S. Wheat Harvest Since 1972
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has projected that the 2026 wheat harvest will be the smallest in over 50 years, marking the lowest yield since 1972. According to Dr. Tina Sullivan, an agronomist at Kansas State University, prolonged dry conditions have significantly impacted wheat production. Farmers have struggled with insufficient rainfall during critical growth periods, particularly in the spring, which has hindered grain development. In Garden Plain, Kansas, wheat farmer Jon Kerschen has been forced to harvest weeks earlier than usual to salvage his crop. Rising input costs, including fertilizer and fuel, have further strained farmers, reducing profit margins and making wheat less competitive compared to other crops like corn and soybeans. Many farmers are adjusting their crop rotations to focus on more profitable alternatives, compounding the challenges for wheat production. 
