Missouri Wheat Yields Surpass 100 Bushels in MU Trials

Monday, June 15, 2026

Early data from University of Missouri (MU) seed variety trials indicate above-average wheat yields across southeastern Missouri. Andre Froes de Borja Reis, assistant professor of soybean farming systems and leader of MU’s Variety Testing Program for wheat, corn, grain sorghum, and soybean, says the results point to a strong season for the region.

According to senior research specialist Will Knuckles, two of the three trial sites in southeastern Missouri recorded averages exceeding 100 bushels per acre.

This is significantly higher than the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service forecast issued June 11, which projected 72 bushels per acre on 430,000 harvested acres statewide.

These results also surpass typical regional yields, with Farm Credit reporting three-year averages of 62 bushels per acre for non-irrigated fields and 71 bushels per acre for irrigated land.

MU Extension agronomists confirm the positive trend. Scotty Smothers in Stoddard County reports “very good” yields this season.

“Most producers are seeing 80 to 90 bushels per acre, and one grower reported 107 bushels per acre,” Smothers says. “Producers were able to plant early last fall, which allowed good pre-dormancy growth and tillering. Conditions were also favorable for suppressing common wheat diseases.”

Anthony Ohmes also notes comparable results in Mississippi County and expects strong outcomes in Cape Girardeau County. Reis emphasizes that yield variability is expected across Missouri due to differences in soils, irrigation, and climate. He explains that the program evaluates multiple commercial soft red winter wheat varieties under controlled conditions, comparing yield, disease tolerance, and treatment response.

“Variety tests are conducted under as uniform conditions as possible,” Knuckles says. “Small plots help reduce the effects of soil and climatic variability, but differences still occur.” Rainfall across sites ranged widely, from 8.3 to 21 inches.

The program provides unbiased data to help farmers choose suitable varieties and manage challenges like fusarium head blight while supporting productive crop rotations.
More information on wheat portion of the MU Variety Testing Program. For questions, email VarietyTesting@missouri.edu.

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