Persistent heat across much of the United States continues to accelerate wheat development and harvest, with hot, dry conditions expected to remain in many growing regions into next week.

The hard red winter harvest is advancing rapidly as activity shifts north and west, while the soft red winter harvest is nearly complete. Harvest of soft white, hard red spring and northern durum wheat is also expected to gain momentum as warm, dry weather continues.

Hard Red Winter

The hard red winter harvest is essentially complete in Colorado and Wyoming, with only irrigated acres remaining. Harvest progress in the remaining states ranges from 3% to 61% complete. The Gulf exportable crop is 95% harvested, while the Pacific Northwest exportable crop is 18% harvested.

Growing conditions remained challenging throughout the season, with producers reporting highly variable yields and quality. Wyoming received only 20% of normal precipitation during the past 12 months, although growers are reporting better than expected grain quality despite drought conditions. Additional crop abandonment is expected to be reflected in future estimates, and if realized, the 2026 crop would be the smallest hard red winter wheat crop since 1957.

Laboratory testing has been completed on 464 samples. Unweighted averages show a test weight of 60.0 pounds per bushel, moisture of 11.4%, 1,000 kernel weight of 28.2 grams and a falling number of 356 seconds. Average protein measured 12.5% on a 12% moisture basis, up from 12.1% last year. Protein levels ranged from 9.4% to 17.6%, indicating greater variability and generally higher protein than the 2025 crop. The crop is currently grading U.S. No. 2 hard red winter wheat.

Flour analysis from 13 composite samples shows laboratory flour extraction averaging 71.5%, wet gluten at 29.2% and sedimentation at 42.1. Farinograph absorption averages 58.9%, stability averages 13.4 minutes and loaf volume averages 872 cubic centimeters.

Temperatures remain high across the region, with scattered precipitation possible.

Soft Red Winter

The soft red winter harvest is nearly complete, with only a few northern production areas remaining.

Testing has been completed on 196 samples. Unweighted averages include 13.2% moisture, 10.0% protein on a 12% moisture basis, a 1,000 kernel weight of 34.4 grams and a falling number of 305 seconds. Average test weight reached 59.9 pounds per bushel, slightly above last year, resulting in an overall grade of U.S. No. 2 soft red winter wheat. Among samples tested for deoxynivalenol, only one exceeded 1 part per million.

Composite flour testing continues. Current results show average flour protein of 8.9%, wet gluten of 24.6% and Farinograph absorption of 54.1%. Solvent retention capacity values average 124 for lactic acid, 99 for sucrose and 73 for sodium carbonate. Cookie testing produced a width-to-thickness ratio of 8.4, while pup loaf volume averaged 681 cubic centimeters.

Soft White

Soft white wheat harvest is progressing, especially in lower elevation and drier areas. Winter wheat harvest is 18% complete, while the spring crop is fully headed and developing well. Harvest activity is expected to accelerate next week. Despite wildfires and thunderstorms in parts of Oregon, harvest conditions remain favorable. Initial laboratory quality results are expected next week.

USDA rated the winter crop 66% good to excellent and the spring crop 61% good to excellent, both improving from the previous week. Idaho producers continue assessing the effects of April freezes and frosts on grain fill and quality, while hail in northern Idaho may have caused localized damage. Early Washington yields range from 80 to 100 bushels per acre, although some areas are reporting lower yields because of freeze damage and drought. Oregon producers report above average yields, with precipitation timing playing a significant role in crop performance. Protein levels are expected to vary, with lower protein generally associated with stronger yields.

No significant disease or pest pressure has been reported.

Temperatures continue reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher in some locations. Thunderstorms are possible, but conditions are expected to remain predominantly hot and dry.

Hard Red Spring

The hard red spring crop is nearly 90% headed. Harvest has officially begun in South Dakota, where 6% of the crop has been harvested. Harvest is expected to begin within two weeks in the driest areas of Minnesota and North Dakota.

The crop is rated 53% good to excellent, down from 59% the previous week. Recent hot, dry weather accelerated crop development and increased stress in drier areas, although moisture received during June and early July continues to support much of the crop. Conditions vary depending on planting dates and available moisture, with southern North Dakota showing greater stress. Overall crop conditions remain favorable, though additional moisture and cooler temperatures would benefit yield potential.

Disease pressure remains limited but could increase where recent moisture and higher humidity occurred.

Hot, dry weather is expected to continue through the weekend.

Northern Durum

North Dakota's durum crop is 80% headed and 19% has turned color, while Montana's crop is 70% headed and 2% has turned color. Recent heat has accelerated maturity, with the earliest harvest expected to begin in about two weeks.

North Dakota's crop is rated 83% good to excellent, while Montana's crop is rated 7% good to excellent. Although conditions have been hot and relatively dry, subsoil moisture from June and early July rainfall has supported crop development.

No major disease or pest problems have been reported, though producers continue monitoring fields that received recent moisture for potential disease development.

Hot, dry conditions are expected to persist and continue advancing crop maturity across the durum-growing region.

Source: U.S. Wheat Associates, "WEEKLY HARVEST REPORT – July 22, 2026"