‘The worst time for wheat’: US farmers face losses to extreme heat and drought
Summary
US farmers in the central and southern Great Plains, especially in Kansas and Oklahoma, are facing severe losses in their wheat crops due to extreme heat, drought, and erratic temperatures during the 2025-2026 growing season. The unusual weather, linked to climate change, has caused crop yields to drop dramatically, with some farmers deciding not to harvest damaged fields.Key Facts
- Merrill Nielsen, a Kansas wheat farmer, expects only about 2 bushels per acre this year, compared to the usual 40-50 bushels.
- Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, and Nebraska grow most of the US hard red winter wheat.
- Kansas and Oklahoma experienced their second-warmest year from March 2025 to March 2026, with March temperatures 10-11°F above normal.
- About 44% of Kansas’s and 49% of Oklahoma’s wheat crops are rated in very poor to poor condition.
- Climate experts say the March heat would have been nearly impossible without the influence of climate change.
- Some farmers in north-central and northwest Kansas have already decided to abandon their crops.
- Rainfall has been minimal in the spring, and forecasts predict below-average rain through July.
- Wheat can recover somewhat with rain, but the ongoing drought may continue to limit yields.
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