Missouri Wheat Production Bursts Higher

Missouri farms defied drought this summer to fill their bins with greater amounts of wheat.  Last week’s USDA Small Grains Summary found that the state hauled in 42 million bushels of wheat this year, up 71 percent from a year ago and 32 percent better than 2021.  Yield jumped 10 bushels per acre to 70, while harvested acreage was up 46 percent to 600,000 acres.  By comparison, 630,000 acres were planted last year, which was slightly below the 2021 figure.  The total harvest was one million bushels higher than USDA’s estimate in July, following a stronger-than-expected yield.

Nationwide all wheat production was up ten percent from a year ago at 1.81 billion bushels, as several key growing states also overcame drought conditions.  North Dakota held its position for a second year as the largest wheat producer, bringing in almost 308 million bushels.  Kansas tumbled again as drought shifted toward the state’s midsection.  The summer’s harvest for Kansas totaled 201 million bushels, down 45 percent over the past two years.

Missouri’s oat production also jumped this year, with 612,000 bushels binned.  Yield was 16 bushels per acre better at 68, while acreage harvested for grain was up slightly at 9,000.  The percent of acres harvested was dramatically higher, as just 32,000 acres were planted this year, down 13,000.  Oat production nationwide this year was down one percent at 57 million bushels.  Yield was up almost four bushels at 68.6 bushels per acre, but harvested acreage was down seven percent at 831,000 acres.