Final Wheat Harvest Wrap: Spring is Solid; Durum Slips; and Winter Classes Steady-to-Mixed

Expect firm demand for dependable HRS and SW, steady movement in HRW, more sorting on SRW, and selective bids on durum until full milling results are released.

winter wheat.jpg

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — U.S. Wheat Associates closed the 2025 harvest season with Hard Red Spring (HRS) finishing at a top grade and northern durum slipping a notch on higher damage late in the season.

Hard Red Winter (HRW) and Soft White (SW) maintained steady, consistent quality overall, while Soft Red Winter (SRW) ended on a mixed and more variable note than last year. A comprehensive crop quality report will be published later this month, including flour and milling results.

For buyers and growers, this means that HRS and SW appear reliable for core milling and export needs, while HRW remains steady across most specifications. SRW, however, will require more lot-by-lot selection, and durum values may depend on how specific shipments meet damage and color targets.

Elevators and marketers should expect premiums/discounts to reflect these differences and consider tighter segregation where variability shows up.

Farm-Level Takeaway: Expect firm demand for dependable HRS and SW, steady movement in HRW, more sorting on SRW, and selective bids on durum until full milling results are released.
Related Stories
The Meat Institute says meat sales reached a record $112 billion last year as protein demand remained strong nationwide.
National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles says potato wart could have devastating consequences for U.S. growers and export markets.
The Livestock Conservancy says protecting rare breeds helps preserve genetic diversity and long-term agricultural resilience.
Dr. Joana Colussi says differences in input costs, trade conditions, and second-crop risks continue shaping profitability in both countries.

Tony St. James joined the RFD-TV talent team in August 2024, bringing a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to RFD-TV and Rural Radio Channel 147 Sirius XM. In addition to his role as Market Specialist (collaborating with Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady to provide radio and TV audiences with the latest updates on ag commodity markets), he hosts “Rural America Live” and serves as talent for trade shows.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

The challenge is adoption.
The work could apply to ready-to-eat meals and delicate foods such as freeze-dried berries.
Corn exports remained active the week of May 7, but weak soybean, cotton, and sorghum sales kept attention on China and late-year demand.
Conservation programs may work better when they recognize yield risk and cash-flow pressure during adoption.
Cotton growers can use the survey to compare nutrient, herbicide, and pest-management practices against national production benchmarks.
Higher food costs are showing up beyond the grocery aisle, with some major restaurant chains shrinking their U.S. footprint.
Agriculture Shows
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.