USDA Raises Wheat Yield Estimate, Analysts Not Convinced

STATE COLLEGE, PA – Though parts of the country are dealing with ideal growing conditions, wheat growers in Kansas struggled with less than ideal weather for wheat. According to AccuWeather, rough wheat growing conditions included spring freeze damage, lingering wetness, and drought. Much of Western Kansas has received less than half their average rainfall for the year, which is now showing up in yield estimates. Though USDA’s World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB) surprised many analysts by increasing their expected hard red winter (HRW) wheat yields by 2.6 bushels per acre, few farmers are expecting a 52.1-bushel average crop this harvest. Roughly 95 percent of the wheat grown in Kansas is Hard Red Winter (HRW) wheat and it’s used for flatbreads, tortillas, cereal, general-purpose flour, and pasta.
(SOURCE: AccuWeather)