Kansas wheat quality: test weight and protein up from 2025

Preliminary data for the 2026 Kansas winter wheat crop show an average test weight of 60.3 pounds per bushel, according to a Sept. 10 release from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. That compares with 59.9 pounds per bushel for the 2025 crop and an average of 60.7 pounds per bushel for the 2016 through 2025 crops.

A total of 8,789 carlot samples were tested from 50 counties across Kansas. Of the total samples tested, the largest shares came from the South Central, Southwest and Central districts. Samples for the 2026 crop were taken from June 12 to Aug. 17. Samples for the 2025 crop were taken from June 16, 2025, to Aug. 11, 2025.

Protein content averages 12.1%, up 0.1% from last year and 0.3% from the 10-year average of 11.8%. The Northwest District has the highest protein content at 13.2%, followed by the West Central and North Central districts at 12.8%. Protein content is expressed on a 12% moisture basis. Statewide, moisture content averages 11.3%, down 0.1% from last year and the 10-year average.

Samples of wheat grading No. 1, at 63%, are up from 45% last year. Samples grading No. 2 are 36%, down from 47% last year. Samples grading No. 3 or below are 1%.

Wheat samples average 0.6% damaged kernels, up 0.1% from last year and 0.2% from the 10-year average. Samples tested have 0.1% foreign material on average, unchanged from last year and equal to the 10-year average. Shrunken and broken kernels average 0.9%, unchanged from last year but down 0.2% from the 10-year average. Total defects average 1.6%, up 0.2% from last year but equal to the 10-year average. Average dockage for all samples is 0.5%, unchanged from last year.

There were 1,052 samples voluntarily submitted for inspection in the 2026 crop year. The test weight for these samples averages 59.7 pounds per bushel, protein averages 12.3% and moisture content averages 11.4%. Of the total submitted samples, 47% grade No. 1, 38% grade No. 2 and 15% grade No. 3 or below.

Test weight, protein content, grade and defect samples are representative of wheat moving in commercial rail cars and truck lots (truckloads converted to carlot equivalents). Summarized data include old crop and new crop wheat moving from first point of sale and inspected by Kansas Grain Inspection Service, Inc. NASS summarizes the data for the Kansas Wheat Quality report. The Kansas Wheat Commission funds collection and publication services. Final numbers for the 2026 Kansas winter wheat crop, including wheat quality, top-planted varieties, acreage and production, will be available in the Kansas Wheat History report to be released in October.

Source: USDA NASS Kansas Wheat Quality news release, Sept. 10, 2026.