Hard Red Winter Wheat Crop Shows High Quality Despite Harvest Irregularities

Between early and delayed harvests, too much rain and historic drought, this year’s hard red winter (HRW) wheat crop quality is being rated better than expected. According to the U.S. Wheat Associates, HRW wheat averaged a Grade No. 1 milling quality at 60.3 pounds and 11.9% protein, mostly on par with 2020. In drought-stricken states, the crop is much higher quality than expected, but with much lower yields. However, some areas of the country, such as the Pacific Northwest, reported a more grim outlook. One Waterville, Washington rancher described their HRW wheat harvest as a “bonafide disaster”, citing the importance of crop insurances during challenging seasons. Read more on U.S. wheat harvest and quality.