This is day 11 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.
Despite early drought, uneven stands and losses to wheat streak mosaic virus, some farmers are reporting better than expected yields, with test weights and protein levels starting strong before tapering off due to late rains. Overall, the 2025 season has been an improvement over recent years.
Stan Remington, CEO of Frontier Ag, described this year’s wheat harvest as average overall, though results varied across their trade territory, which stretches from the Colorado border to Ogallah along I-70, and from the Nebraska line south to Ransom and Utica along Highway 4. With harvest now about 90 percent complete in their territory, Remington noted that the 2025 season stands out as above average when compared to the past few years.
In the northwest corner of the state, yields came in a little lower than expected. Fields north of Highway 24 also struggled, with several producers reporting below-average performance. Meanwhile, the Ness County area saw a stronger crop. As with most years, weather conditions made all the difference.
One of the bigger challenges this year came from wheat streak mosaic virus, which showed up more frequently along the I-70 corridor. These areas saw some of the most disappointing harvest results across Frontier Ag’s footprint, with Oakley and locations to the east experiencing the most severe impact from the virus. The presence of the virus in concentrated pockets dragged down yields.
Protein levels were also varied across the region. Weather conditions earlier in the growing season took a toll on quality in some areas. In addition, timing of spring rains played a key role. Fields that missed those critical windows saw reduced performance. Scattered showers during harvest also caused occasional delays, slowing progress in some locations.
Brian Linin, a farmer from Goodland, reports that harvest began on July 1 and his crew has about 10 days left. Linin, who farms alongside his dad and son, says their wheat is better than it looked, averaging above 50 bushels per acre so far, much better than last year and slightly above average.
Last fall’s drought conditions forced the Linins to redrill some fields in early November, a decision that significantly improved both stand establishment and yields. In fact, fields drilled later in the season are outperforming the earlier-emerging wheat across the area.
Test weights have been strong, ranging from 58 to 61.5 pounds per bushel, while protein levels are above average, running between 13.5 and 14 percent. Linin reported that drought was the biggest challenge this season, adding, “If we had received rain a month earlier, yields would be so much better.”
“Wheat is an excellent crop for this area,” said Linin, emphasizing that it fits well into their rotation. The stubble left behind greatly benefits the soil and improves the subsequent crop, and with decent yields, wheat can be a good cash crop.
In Lane County, farmer Ron Suppes, who grows hard white wheat, says he’s about 98 percent done with harvest and is working to finish up the last bit between rain showers. He brought in his first load about two weeks ago.
Suppes says recent rains have knocked down test weights, which started out about 61 to 63 pounds per bushel but have since dropped to 57 to 58 pounds. Protein levels have also dropped, starting out at 12 to 12.5 percent and are now sitting closer to 11 percent.
He says one of the biggest challenges this season started last fall, when wheat was planted into very dry soil. That led to uneven stands and staggered maturity across his fields, making harvest more complicated. Suppes planted KS Big Bow, KS Silverado and KS Snow Fox this year, and says all three have held up well despite the season’s challenges.
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.
