As the 2026 Texas wheat harvest enters its final days and we publish our last harvest report of the season, producers in the Panhandle are harvesting the state’s last remaining wheat acres. Despite challenging growing conditions across much of the state this year, grain quality has kept pace with long-term averages. Hard Red Winter wheat samples tested to date have averaged a statewide test weight of 59.7 pounds per bushel and a protein level of 13.0%.
As America marks 250 years of independence, it’s worth reflecting on the role wheat has played in building and sustaining our nation. From the first frontier settlements to today’s farms, wheat has remained one of America’s essential crops, feeding millions, supporting rural economies, and helping ensure a stable, affordable food supply.
