Update on 2026 Winter Wheat Crop, No Russell Wheat Plot Tour

Drought conditions, minimal snowfall and a warmer-than-normal winter have not been good news for the 2026 Kansas wheat crop.

Craig Dinkel with the Midway Extension District in Russell and Ellsworth Counties says this has been a very frustrating crop for producers.

According to the latest report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, winter wheat conditions in Kansas are rated 17% very poor, 27% poor, 34% fair, 20% good and just 2% excellent. Winter wheat jointed was 95%, ahead of 86% last year and 80% for the five-year average. 

Also, Dinkel says he has canceled the annual Wheat Plot Tour in Russell.

As for the fall crops, the USDA report says corn planted was 41%, behind 48% last year and near 42% average. Soybeans planted was 25%, near 22% last year and ahead of 17% average. Sorghum planted was 5%, near 4% last year and 2% average.