US spring wheat and barley harvests ahead of last year’s pace

The US spring wheat and barley harvests were progressing ahead of both last year’s pace and the five-year average at the end of August. According to USDA NASS, as of August 30, farmers had already harvested more than three-quarters of the area planted with both crops.

Spring wheat harvesting across the six major producing states reached 77% of the planted area, up 15 percentage points from the previous week. The harvest was 8 percentage points ahead of last year and 9 points above the 2021–2025 average.

South Dakota was leading the spring wheat harvest, with 95% of the area already harvested. Progress was slower in Montana, where farmers had completed harvesting on 66% of the area.

Barley harvesting was also well ahead of the usual pace. Across the five major producing states, 77% of the area had been harvested, up from 64% a week earlier. This was 7 percentage points ahead of last year and 5 points above the five-year average.

Minnesota was leading the barley harvest, with 92% of the area harvested. Montana recorded the slowest progress at 62%. Overall, harvesting of both crops in the US is approaching its final stage well ahead of the average pace.

Tags: barley, wheat, USA, harvesting