Authored by: Adam Roth, Mark Kendall, Brian Mueller, Damon Smith, and Shawn P. Conley
Wisconsin winter wheat acreage declined in 2025–2026, with 245,000 acres planted—an 18% decrease from the previous year. Of these, 210,000 acres are forecasted to be harvested, down 17% from 2025. The 2026 yield forecast is 76 bu/a, matching 2025 and landing just below the five‑year average of 77 bu/a. Planting generally occurred on schedule as corn and soybean harvest progressed at a typical pace. Mild winter conditions and adequate snow cover supported strong winter survival. Wheat broke dormancy in early April, and crop development ran slightly ahead of normal due to above average precipitation and growing degree accumulation. Overall, winter wheat yield and test weight trends were average in 2026. Foliar fungicides and insecticides were applied to the Waterloo (Miravis Ace and Mustang Maxx) and Random Lake (Miravis Ace and Province II) locations at Feekes 10.5.1. Random Lake was excluded from multi-site analysis due to variable data resulting from drought stress and thin stands. Wheat yields at the Arlington, Fond du Lac, Random Lake, and Waterloo locations averaged 106, 119, 84, 103 bu/a, respectively.
* Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (www.nass.usda.gov)
Diseases
Foliar and head disease issues were very low in 2026. We observed little to no Fusarium head blight (FHB or Scab; caused by Fusarium graminearum) across all locations. Stripe rust (caused by Pucciniua striiformis) and leaf rust (caused by Puccinia triticina) were mostly a novelty at all locations. Unlike 2025, no Cephalosporium stripe (caused by Cephalosporium gramineum) was observed at any location. Statewide, stripe rust, and occasional reports of tan spot (caused by Pyrenophora tritici-repentis) were made but did not impact yield except on the occasional highly susceptible variety. Occasionally barley yellow dwarf (BYD) could be observed at low incidence.
Performance trial data in both PDF (coming soon) and Excel formats for 2026 and earlier can be found here: Winter Wheat Variety Trial Results.
