HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The National Ag Statistics Service announced Wednesday that, based on May 1 conditions, Kansas' 2020 winter wheat crop is now forecast at 306 million bushels, down 10% from last year's crop.
The average yield is forecast at 47 bushels per acre, down five bushels from last year. Acreage to be harvested for grain is estimated at 6.5 million acres, unchanged from last year. This would be 96% of the planted acres, above last year's 94% harvested.
As of Monday, the winter wheat condition rated at 24% poor to very poor, 38% fair and 38% good to excellent. Winter wheat jointed was 89%, near 86% last year. Headed was 39%, ahead of 29% last year, but behind 56% for the five-year average.
In south-central Kansas, 93% of the wheat is jointed and 65% of the crop has headed.