Winter Wheat Historic Trends and Yield Gaps in the Wheat State

Abstract

Wheat is the most widely grown grain crop in the world, and the United States is ranked as the fourth major wheat producer after China, India, and Russia. Kansas is the top winter wheat-producing state in the United States and, as such, is nicknamed “The Wheat State.” A significant yield gap has existed in Kansas between potential winter wheat yields and the actual farm level average yield. Due to current conflict in the major wheat-growing region of Ukraine and Russia and recent droughts, record decline in world wheat stocks was expected. To further understand winter wheat’s contribution to the economy, production trends, and relationship with climate variability, data available in the state of Kansas through annual winter wheat yield trials and USDA reports were used to study winter wheat historic trends and relations. Earn 0.5 CEUs in Crop Management by taking the quiz for the article at https://web.sciencesocieties.org/Learning-Center/Courses.