NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2025 Small Grains Annual Summary (PDF Version) shows mixed results across oats, barley, rye, and wheat, with acreage shifts and record yields shaping the year’s harvest.
Oats
Production reached 69.6 million bushels, a 2 percent increase from 2024, driven by larger harvested acreage despite lower yields. At 944,000 acres harvested, the area was up 6 percent, though still among the lowest on record. Record high yields were reported in Illinois, Iowa, Maine, and Michigan, while planted acres hit record lows in Idaho, Maine, New York, and Oregon.
Barley
Production fell 2 percent to 141 million bushels, even as yields reached a record 80 bushels per acre. Nationally seeded area fell to 2.3 million acres, the lowest on record. Harvested acres were down 7 percent year over year, with conditions rated sharply lower in early August compared to 2024.
Rye
Production fell 15 percent to 12.5 million bushels, with both harvested acres and yields slipping from last year’s record levels. Pennsylvania planted a record high acreage, while North Carolina hit record lows.
Winter Wheat
Production totaled 1.40 billion bushels, up 3 percent from last year, with record yields reported in several states, including Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, South Carolina, and Texas. Harvested area was 25.5 million acres, down 3 percent, while Hard Red Winter wheat reached 804 million bushels, up 4 percent, and Soft Red Winter wheat hit 353 million bushels, up 2 percent. White winter wheat was estimated at 244 million bushels, up 3 percent.
Spring Wheat
Output dropped 9 percent to 497 million bushels, reflecting an 8 percent decline in harvested acres. Yields, however, were still historically strong at 51.7 bushels per acre. Hard Red Spring accounted for 458 million bushels, down 9 percent from 2024.
Durum Wheat
Production rose 8 percent to 86.2 million bushels on higher acreage and improved yields. Montana’s output jumped 29 percent, while North Dakota, the top producer, posted a 3 percent gain.
Farm-Level Takeaway: USDA’s report shows wheat strength overall, with winter wheat yields setting records, while spring wheat and rye saw declines. Oats and barley remain constrained by record-low acreage despite stable or rising yields.
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