Kansas Wheat Test Weight and Protein Up from 2025

By Laura Lombardi

Preliminary results from the 2026 Kansas winter wheat crop show improvements in both test weight and protein content compared to last year. More wheat samples also graded No. 1, according to the Kansas Wheat Quality report.

The average test weight for the 2026 crop was 60.3 pounds per bushel, up from 59.9 pounds in 2025. The 10-year average is 60.7 pounds per bushel.

Protein content averaged 12.1%, slightly higher than last year’s 12% and above the 10-year average of 11.8%. The Northwest District had the highest protein content at 13.2%, followed by the West Central and North Central districts at 12.8%.

A total of 8,789 samples from commercial rail cars and truckloads were tested from 50 Kansas counties. The largest shares of samples came from the South Central, Southwest and Central districts. Samples were collected between June 12 and August 17, 2026.

Wheat quality also showed improvement in the percentage of samples receiving the highest grade. Sixty-three percent of samples graded No. 1, compared to 45% last year. Another 36% graded No. 2, down from 47% in 2025, while 1% graded No. 3 or below.

The average moisture content was 11.3%, down slightly from last year and the 10-year average. Damaged kernels averaged 0.6%, up 0.1 percentage point from 2025 and 0.2 percentage point above the 10-year average.

Foreign material averaged 0.1%, unchanged from last year and the 10-year average. Shrunken and broken kernels averaged 0.9%, also unchanged from 2025 but below the 10-year average of 1.1%.

Total defects averaged 1.6%, up from 1.4% last year but equal to the 10-year average. Dockage, which is material removed during grain cleaning, averaged 0.5%, unchanged from 2025.

An additional 1,052 samples were voluntarily submitted for inspection. These samples averaged 59.7 pounds per bushel in test weight, 12.3% protein and 11.4% moisture. Of those samples, 47% graded No. 1, 38% graded No. 2 and 15% graded No. 3 or below.

The Kansas Wheat Quality report summarizes wheat moving through commercial rail cars and truckloads from the first point of sale. The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service compiles the data, with collection and publication funded by the Kansas Wheat Commission.

Final figures for the 2026 Kansas winter wheat crop, including quality, top-planted varieties, acreage and production, are expected to be released in October as part of the Kansas Wheat History report.