Farmers in the Midwest had a good year for wheat in 2023, harvesting a bountiful crop. The warm, dry conditions that prevailed throughout much of the growing season were ideal for wheat, and as a result, yields were strong.
The USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service reports that the 2023 soft red winter wheat crop totaled 401.8 million bushels, the largest in nine years. This year's total was also significantly higher than recent years, which saw 336.5 million bushels of soft red winter wheat in 2022, 360.7 million bushels in 2021 and 266.2 million bushels in 2020.
The strong yields are good news for farmers, as it means they will have a good harvest to sell. It's also good news for consumers, as it means that wheat prices are likely to stay low.
The favorable weather conditions, farmers are also credited with actively managing their wheat crops and chasing higher yields. This is a positive trend, as it means that farmers are investing in their crops and trying to improve their yields. This is likely to lead to a more sustainable wheat industry in the long run.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-ianchrisgraham
Categories: Illinois, Crops, Wheat, Harvesting