Serine
Recent weather disturbances have significantly slowed the Kansas wheat harvest, according to the latest Kansas Wheat Harvest Report.
Despite the official start of harvest season, scattered thunderstorms, persistent rains, and high humidity have delayed progress across the state.
Slow Start in Southern Kansas
Harvesting began in early June in Sedgwick and Sumner counties, but it has been inconsistent due to frequent rains.
- As of June 15, 2025, only 3% of Kansas wheat had been harvested — a stark contrast to 25% at this time last year and below the 11% historical average, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
- Winter wheat conditions were rated 21% poor to very poor, 30% fair, and 49% good to excellent.
In Sumner County, the Farmers Coop Grain Association reported a June 9 harvest start but noted only 10% of expected bushels have been collected so far. Yields range from 26 to 50 bushels per acre, indicating an average crop. Test weights remain inconclusive at this stage.
However, General Manager Chris Stevens believes later-maturing wheat may have gained from the moisture, and disease pressure has remained minimal.
In Sedgwick County, CoMark Equity Alliance’s grain merchandiser Chris Fryer shared that only 5% of expected wheat has been delivered since June 10.
The area usually hits 33% by this point. Despite the rain, yields and grain quality are notably stronger than last year.
Central Kansas Faces Weather Woes
In McPherson and Rice counties, heavy rainfall on Tuesday brought harvests to a halt. However, hot and windy conditions may allow machines to resume by the weekend.
McPherson County farmer Derek Sawyer reported 80 bushels per acre prior to the storm, but rain and wind damage have stripped kernel heads, potentially reducing yield by 25%.
While test weights were high pre-storm, they are expected to decline. Some waterlogged fields may be completely unsalvageable. Sawyer estimates he should be halfway done, but he’s barely started.
In Rice and Ellsworth counties, Lee Scheufler began harvesting on June 10, initially experiencing average to above-average yields. Despite flooding, he resumed harvesting Thursday on dry fields.
Test weights fell slightly but stayed within average range. With only 15–20% completed, he foresees another week in the fields.
The 2025 Kansas wheat harvest is off to a sluggish and inconsistent start, heavily impacted by severe weather conditions. While some regions are reporting strong yields and quality, others are facing crop losses and delays due to flooding and wind damage.
More comprehensive data from southwest Kansas is expected early next week, which will help paint a fuller picture of this year’s crop outlook.