Slight increase in U.S. winter wheat production

per acre, 2 bushels higher than last year’s yield. Area expected to be harvested for grain or seed totals 25.7 million acres, down 1% from last year. As of May 4, 51% of the winter wheat acreage in the 18 major producing states was rated in good to excellent condition, 1% higher than the same time last year. Nationally, 39% of the winter wheat crop was headed by May 4, 6% above the five-year average pace. Indiana has 320,000 planted acres of winter wheat and will harvest 250,000 acres, 10,000 more than last year, the USDA estimated. The yield average is projected at 86 bushels per acre, 3 less than 2024, for total production of 21.5 million bushels. The 2024 production totaled 21.36 million bushels. USDA’s March acreage report had winter wheat planted acres in Illinois at 780,000. The agency estimates a harvest area of 680,000, 20,000 less than 2024. The Prairie State’s average yield is projected at 85 bushels per acre, 1 less than last year, for total production of 57.8 million ...