Drought conditions raise concerns for PC wheat harvest

BY Julie Thayer

High Plains News Publisher

Farmers across Perkins County are facing growing concerns as ongoing drought conditions threaten winter wheat production heading into harvest season.

Much of southwest Nebraska, including Perkins County and the Grant area, remains under moderate to severe drought conditions, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor reports. State and federal officials have warned that prolonged dry weather, low soil moisture and warmer than normal temperatures are placing additional stress on wheat fields already struggling through a difficult growing season.

Nebraska has experienced below average precipitation throughout much of the winter and spring, with agricultural experts reporting deteriorating conditions for winter wheat across portions of the state.

The lack of consistent spring moisture has become a major concern for producers in Perkins County, where wheat remains one of the area’s most important crops. Dryland wheat acres are especially vulnerable because they rely heavily on seasonal precipitation rather than irrigation.

According to recent USDA crop reports, many winter wheat fields across Nebraska are showing signs of drought stress. Pasture and rangeland conditions have also declined in some areas because of the ongoing dry conditions.

Agricultural experts say drought conditions can impact wheat in several ways, including shorter plants, thinner stands and fewer grain heads developing before harvest. Extended dry conditions also reduce kernel size and overall yields, potentially lowering both production and farm income.

While portions of Nebraska received moisture from recent storms, climatologists say much more precipitation will be needed to reverse the long term drought impacts. In many cases, recent moisture only provided temporary relief to already dry soils.

The drought is not only affecting Nebraska producers. Wheat growing regions across the Great Plains, including Colorado, Kansas and Oklahoma, are also reporting crop stress tied to heat and lack of rainfall. National forecasts for wheat production have already been reduced because of drought concerns in the western Plains.

For Perkins County farmers, the next several weeks will be critical as wheat moves toward maturity. Additional rainfall could still help some later developing fields, but many producers are already preparing for lower than average yields during the 2026 harvest season.

Despite the difficult conditions, local producers continue monitoring crops closely and hoping for timely moisture as harvest approaches later this summer.