Resources

Volunteer Control Windows

Wheat streak mosaic complex caused major damage to wheat fields in central and western Kansas in 2025. The outbreak was worsened by harvest delays and hail, which led to more volunteer wheat, key hosts for the wheat curl mite that spreads the virus. To reduce the risk of another outbreak in 2026, it's critical to implement wheat-free windows, which are 30-day periods before the optimal wheat planting window, during which all volunteer wheat and other host cereals are terminated. Coordinated community efforts are essential, as the wheat curl mite is a shared threat across farms.

Wheat Quality

The 2017 HRW wheat crop was very similar to last year’s crop in many ways.

Generally, both crops were planted and developed in a favorable environment until late in the growing season. The 2016 and 2017 HRW wheat crops had abundant moisture and no stress during the grainfill period (with the exceptions noted above in areas of the PNW, Dakotas and eastern Montana).

Wheat assessment

Promotion and market development through research, education and information

The Kansas Wheat Commission is funded by a two cent per bushel, voluntary assessment on each bushel of wheat grown in Kansas and sold to a Kansas grain elevator. According to state statute, “…Such assessment shall be levied and assessed to the grower at the time of sale, and shall be shown as a deduction by the first purchaser from the price paid in settlement to the grower.”