Day 3, Kansas Wheat Harvest Report

This is day 3 of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.     

Harvest is finally in full swing across much of southern and central Kansas. Wheat streak mosaic virus continues to challenge growers in parts of the state, impacting yields and test weights. After rains and humidity have slowed harvest progress, farmers are getting back into fields but having to dodge muddy areas.

Officially, the Kansas wheat harvest is only 20 percent complete, well behind 49 percent complete last year and behind 31 percent on average, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service crop progress report for the week ending June 22, 2025. Winter wheat conditions were rated 23 percent poor to very poor, 32 percent fair and 45 percent good to excellent.

Blake Connelly with Alliance Ag & Grain in Ford County reports that harvest in the area began around June 12 and is currently about 40 percent complete. If the weather holds, he expects farmers to begin finishing up by the end of this coming weekend. Yields are up compared to last year, but protein levels are running lower, with most in the low to mid 11s. He says one of the biggest challenges they’ve seen this year has been wheat streak mosaic virus in a few locations, which is having a significant impact on yields and test weights.

Sarah Dodge with Farmers Cooperative Equity Co. in Barber County reported they took in their first load of wheat on June 10 at their Medicine Lodge location. As of Sunday, June 22, they’ve brought in about 1.1 million bushels company wide. Yield reports are ranging from around 45 to 60 bushels per acre, she said. Protein levels haven’t been as strong as in recent years and are averaging in the mid 11s across the company. Harvest is about halfway done overall, with some locations close to 70 percent after successfully managing to miss the recent rains. Dodge says the extra moisture and the timing of storms have brought down test weights, but she’s hopeful that some of the later loads will come in stronger and help boost the overall average.

Olson Farms near Gypsum in Saline County began harvest on June 12. Bryant Olson said their overall farm average is hovering near 50 bushels per acre this year, which is an improvement from last year. 

“Overall, the wheat has been a lot better than last year,” Olson said. While not a record-setting crop, test weights have consistently come in at or above 60 pounds per bushel with protein levels around 12 percent. “This year’s crop is slightly above an average crop but definitely not a bumper crop,” he said.

Disease pressure and weather have presented challenges in this region of central Kansas. 

“Some challenges we have faced this year were wheat streak mosaic virus, and rain has stopped our harvest progress,” Olson reported. “WSMV took over half of what the wheat could’ve potentially made. We haven’t seen any in the area in a while,” he said. Saline and Dickinson counties have been hot spots for the disease this year. 

Despite those issues, some varieties have shown promise this harvest. 

“Some specific varieties we are very happy with are KS Mako and KS Providence,” Olson said. “KS Mako took the wheat streak very well.”

The 2025 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council. To follow along with harvest updates on social media, use #wheatharvest25. Tag us at @kansaswheat to share your harvest story and photos.

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Written by Hannah Blodgett for Kansas Wheat