The condition of the winter wheat crop in the top production state of Kansas improved for the second straight month in February.
Monthly crop condition ratings from the USDA pegged the Kansas crop at 54% good to excellent as of the end of February. That is up 4 points from the end of January and almost back on par with 55% at the end of November.
After many producers on the US southern Plains were forced to seed the 2025 winter wheat crop into dust last fall, abundant precipitation in November dramatically improved the condition of the crop. However, precipitation through December, January, and February has been scarce in many areas. Topsoil moisture levels in Kansas eroded slightly this past month, falling to 65% adequate to surplus as of the end of February, down from 69% in January. Roughly one-quarter of Kansas was experiencing some form of drought as of Feb. 25, relatively little changed from one and two months ago.
Winter wheat crops on the Plains also suffered through bouts of extreme cold in both January and February, although potential damage remains uncertain.
The Oklahoma winter wheat crop was rated 35% good to excellent as of the end of February, up a single point from a month earlier but well down from 48% at the end of November. The condition of the Nebraska crop was down 2 points from a month earlier at 23% good to excellent, versus 48% in November. At 16% good to excellent, the condition of the South Dakota crop was down 9 points on the month, while the Colorado crop was up 10 points to 67%.
In the Soft Red production state of Illinois, the crop was rated 56% good to excellent at the end of February, down from 65% the previous month and well below 80% at the end of November. The Ohio crop was rated 59% good to excellent, a 4-point improvement from the end of November but still below 70% at the end of November.
