U.S. Wheat Acres Fall to 1877 Low as Corn Tops 7.05 Million Acres in Kansas
Updated
Updated · Pro Farmer · Jul 8
U.S. Wheat Acres Fall to 1877 Low as Corn Tops 7.05 Million Acres in Kansas
3 articles · Updated · Pro Farmer · Jul 8
Summary
USDA estimates U.S. harvested wheat acres will hit their lowest level since 1877, underscoring a decades-long retreat from a crop once dominant on many Plains farms.
7.05 million Kansas corn acres topped 6.9 million wheat acres in the top wheat-growing state, reflecting how farmers have shifted toward crops with better returns.
1996 policy changes, Black Sea export competition and biofuels demand for corn and soybeans reshaped planting economics, while wheat lagged in private breeding investment and yield gains.
Between 2000 and 2025, corn yields rose 36%, soybeans 39% and wheat 27%; Corteva plans hybrid hard red winter wheat for 2027 with average 10% yield gains in trials.
Crop experts say wheat will remain important as a food grain and rotation crop, but acreage is unlikely to rebound sharply without tighter global supplies lifting profits.