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2025 wheat crop exceeded expectations in some areas of the Great Plains

The marketing manager for WestBred says the 2025 winter wheat crop exceeded expectations in some areas of the western U.S.

Carrie Roach tells Brownfield, “The highest yield was 238 bushels per acre. The national average yield for wheat in general in the United States is around 54 bushel per acre, so farmers are really using their management strategies and maybe trying something new to really push those yields.”

She says planting conditions have been mostly favorable in parts of Kansas and Nebraska for the 2026 crop, but, “There’s been some areas that can’t seem to catch a break and get dry ground in order to even put the crop in. From what we’re seeing, they’re working on getting the crop in and we’re excited to see how that winter season will shape up.”

The USDA says 97 percent of U.S. winter wheat is planted, in line with the average, with 87 percent emerged. Forty-eight percent of the crop is rated good to excellent, 7 percent below a year ago.

Brownfield interviewed Roach during Trade Talk at the 2025 NAFB Convention.

AUDIO: Carrie Roach, WestBred