USDA projects record low wheat harvested area

WASHINGTON — U.S. winter wheat production is projected 25% lower than last year, and record low harvested acreage is projected in Indiana.

As of May 1, the nation’s winter wheat yield is forecast at 47.6 bushels per acre, down 7.3 bushels from last year’s average yield of 54.9 bushels per acre.

Area expected to be harvested for grain is forecast at 22.015 million acres, 14% lower than last year. If realized, this would be a record low harvested acreage for the nation.

Producers expect to harvest 68% of the planted acres for grain.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service estimates Illinois to have 620,000 harvested winter wheat acres, 80,000 lower than last year, and an average yield projection of 84 bushels per acre, producing 52.08 million bushels.

The Prairie State’s wheat averaged 88 bushels per acre in 2025, and farmers hauled in 61.6 million bushels.

Indiana’s winter wheat harvested acres are projected at 230,000, 10,000 below last year, with an average yield of 85 bushels per acre, resulting in estimated production of 19.55 million bushels.

In 2025, Indiana averaged 89 bushels per acre, producing 21.36 million bushels of wheat.

Kansas, the nation’s largest winter wheat producer, is projected to have 5.8 million harvested acres, 1 million below 2025. USDA projects an average yield of 37 bushels per acre, 14 lower than last year.

The Wheat State’s production is projected at 214.6 million bushels, 132.2 million less than in 2025.