Trending Now - Kansas Wheat Harvest Faces Historic Low Amid Rising Costs
WHO:
ABC News - Orville Williams, a 76-year-old farmer from Montezuma, Kansas.
AP News - Romulo Lolloto, Kansas State agronomist.
AP News - Brad Rippey, USDA meteorologist.
AP News - Mike Nickelson, a wheat and corn farmer in western Kansas.
AP News - Vance Ehmke, a farmer near Healy, Kansas.
AP News - Ben Palen, a fifth-generation farmer and farming consultant.
WHAT:
ABC News - By the end of the first full week of May, 86% of wheat crops in Kansas had produced a seed head, compared to 61% typical in the previous 10 years at the same point in the season.
AP News - Only 32.4 million acres (13.1 million hectares) of wheat were planted this year, with harvested acreage hitting just 22 million, marking abandonment at slightly above 32% of this year's wheat crop.
AP News - In Kansas, about 17% of the crop is being abandoned this year.
ABC News - Kansas farmers are facing the worst wheat crop since 1972, with an estimated production of 1.56 billion bushels this year, down from 1.05 billion bushels in 2025.
AP News - 58% of the wheat crop in Kansas is rated as “poor” or “very poor” as of May 17.
AP News - Approximately 32% of this year's wheat crop is being abandoned, with 17% of the crop in Kansas being abandoned.
AP News - Urea fertilizer costs have increased from $400 a ton to between $600 and $700 a ton.
AP News - Diesel prices have risen nearly $2 per gallon from one year ago.
WHERE:
ABC News - Montezuma, Kansas, a major wheat-producing region.
AP News - Kansas, specifically mentioning areas like Cimarron and Macksville.
WHEN:
AP News - The last time Kansas wheat fields were in such poor condition was during a severe drought in 2023.
AP News - Crop estimates are based on data as of May 17.
WHY:
ABC News - Forecasters are predicting a substantial El Nino, which is expected to mean warmer-than-normal temperatures this summer in the U.S., potentially delaying drought relief.
ABC News - The wheat crop is suffering due to record-setting drought, high costs of fertilizers, and tariffs.
AP News - Climate change, including extreme weather conditions, has made farming increasingly challenging.
HOW:
AP News - Farmers are facing challenges in changing course to another crop at this point in the year due to insufficient soil moisture.
ABC News - Farmers are filing for crop insurance and considering alternative crops to cope with uncertainties.
AP News - The dry conditions have accelerated crop growth, negatively impacting quality.
(UPDATED May 20, 2026 16:11 UTC)
Wheat crops in Kansas are showing promising signs, with 86% producing a seed head by early May, significantly higher than the typical 61% for this time of year over the past decade. However, only 32.4 million acres were planted this year, and with 22 million acres harvested, abandonment rates are slightly above 32%, including about 17% of the crop in Kansas. Farmers are struggling to pivot to different crops due to insufficient soil moisture, and forecasters are predicting a substantial El Nino, which could lead to warmer-than-normal temperatures this summer, potentially delaying drought relief.
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(UPDATED May 20, 2026 13:55 UTC)
Kansas farmers are grappling with the worst wheat crop since 1972, with production estimates dropping to 1.56 billion bushels this year, a significant decline from 1.05 billion bushels in 2025. As of May 17, 58% of the wheat crop is rated as “poor” or “very poor,” and approximately 32% of this year's crop is being abandoned due to record-setting drought, rising fertilizer costs, and climate change challenges. In response to these harsh conditions, farmers are filing for crop insurance and exploring alternative crops to navigate the uncertainties ahead.