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MSU wheat trials show strong 2026 yields as USDA projects back-to-back record years

A wheat extension educator says he expects near record wheat yields across Michigan.

Michigan State University’s Dennis Pennington says, “I think growers were surprised when they went to the field.”

“The yields were better than what they were expecting,” he shares. “I think that is attributed partly to the low levels of disease that we had this year compared to normal and the cooler weather we had.”

He says yields in this year’s MSU Wheat Performance Trials averaged just over 109 bushels per acre.

“We came just shy of last year’s record, and I believe that’s probably where we’re going to end up as a state as well,” he says.

USDA has been projecting Michigan yields at 90 bushels per acre, in line with last year’s record.

Pennington encourages farmers to use the results as part of their variety planning for this fall, paying special attention to the impact of falling numbers.

Nearly 130 wheat varieties, including 77 experimental lines, from 10 seed companies and the MSU wheat breeding program were part of the 2026 trials.

Brownfield interviewed Pennington during the AgroExpo in St. Johns, Michigan.