U.S. wheat harvest continued to move forward this week as winter wheat harvest expanded into northern production areas and spring wheat crops progressed through grain fill under hot weather conditions.

USDA's July production forecast projects the smallest U.S. wheat crop since the 1970-71 marketing year, driven primarily by lower winter wheat production. Spring wheat production is expected to remain closer to last year's levels. A heat dome across the northern Plains is accelerating crop development and harvest progress ahead of the 2026 Wheat Quality Council Hard Red Spring and Durum Tour, which begins next week.

Hard Red Winter

Hard Red Winter harvest reached 74% complete, with harvest finished in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas and continuing northward. Heat and dry weather are expected to help complete harvest in Colorado and Wyoming this week. Harvest in the remaining producing states ranges from 4% to 42% complete, while Wyoming is expected to reach 75% complete by the end of the week, two to three weeks ahead of average.

USDA estimates Hard Red Winter production at 471 million bushels, down 5% from last month's forecast.

Drought and freeze damage reduced yields across parts of the Plains. Colorado is expected to produce its smallest crop since 1965, while Nebraska's crop is forecast to be 57% smaller than last year and the state's lowest production since 1917. Producers in Montana expect harvest to begin within seven to 10 days, while early harvest reports from the Pacific Northwest indicate favorable quality.

Laboratory testing of 407 samples shows average test weight of 60 pounds per bushel, protein content of 12.5%, moisture of 11.3% and a falling number of 354 seconds. The crop is currently grading U.S. No. 2 Hard Red Winter.

Soft Red Winter

Soft Red Winter harvest is 90% complete, ahead of both last year and the five-year average. Harvest is wrapping up in Ohio, Illinois and Indiana after intermittent rain delays.

USDA projects Soft Red Winter production at 287 million bushels, down 4% from June.

Wet harvest conditions in Ohio affected test weight and falling number in some fields, while late spring frost reduced yields in portions of the state.

Testing of 156 samples found average moisture of 13.2%, protein of 10.1%, test weight of 59.9 pounds per bushel and a falling number of 308 seconds. Compared with last year, protein, thousand kernel weight and falling number all improved. The crop averages a U.S. No. 2 Soft Red Winter grade. Only one sample tested for deoxynivalenol exceeded 1 part per million.

Early flour testing indicates a laboratory milling yield of 70.6%, compared with 69.5% last year. Flour protein averages 8.9%, wet gluten averages 24.6% and farinograph absorption averages 54.4%.

Soft White

Soft White harvest is underway across all three Pacific Northwest states, with 5% of the crop harvested. Initial quality data are expected within the next one to two weeks.

USDA estimates white winter wheat production at 232 million bushels, down slightly from last month's forecast. Harvest in Idaho began about two weeks ahead of average and is expected to accelerate over the next 10 to 14 days.

The crop is rated 62% good to excellent. Producers report average to slightly above average yield potential and generally good quality despite continued monitoring for possible late season frost impacts. No major disease or pest issues have been reported.

Hard Red Spring

More than 70% of the Hard Red Spring crop has headed, including 97% in South Dakota, 78% in North Dakota and Minnesota, and 41% in Montana. South Dakota producers are expected to begin harvest within seven to 10 days.

USDA forecasts Hard Red Spring production at 436 million bushels, down 5% from last year.

The crop is rated 59% good to excellent. Recent rainfall improved soil moisture in northeast Montana, but a heat dome is expected to increase crop stress in drier areas during grain fill. USDA estimates that 19% of the Hard Red Spring crop remains in drought conditions.

Disease pressure remains limited but could increase following recent rainfall and higher humidity.

Northern Durum

North Dakota's durum crop is 65% headed, while Montana is 22% headed. USDA projects durum production at 70.9 million bushels, down 18% from last year.

North Dakota's crop is rated 83% good to excellent, while Montana's crop is rated 13% good to excellent. Recent rainfall improved soil moisture and crop conditions in both states, particularly in Montana, where drought had stressed fields earlier in the season.

No major disease or pest issues have been reported, although producers continue monitoring fields following the recent increase in moisture. Hot and dry weather is expected to continue accelerating crop development across the durum growing region.

Source: U.S. Wheat Associates, "WEEKLY HARVEST REPORT – July 15, 2026"