Every June combines begin their annual sweep across the winter wheat fields of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. At the same time, USDA releases its Acreage and Crop Progress reports, providing the first comprehensive look at the size and condition of the crop. Most years the reports simply confirm expectations. This year, they demand a closer look. USDA’s 30 June Acreage Report estimated all 2026 wheat planted area at 42.740 million acres, down 1.035 million acres, or 2.4 percent, from the 31 March Prospective Plantings report, and down 2.58 million acres, or 6 percent, from the 45.328 million acres planted in 2025. This is the lowest planted area since records began in 1919. USDA forecasts all wheat harvested area at 32.063 million acres...