By Scout Nelson
Nebraska’s wheat industry continues facing difficult growing conditions during the 2026 season as drought and repeated freeze events damage crops across several regions. These weather challenges led the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Crop Performance Testing Program to adjust its annual Wheat Variety Tour schedule.
Amanda Easterly, research associate professor, shared that several field tour locations are canceled or modified because of poor crop conditions. “We are canceling the Deuel and Banner County field days,” said Amanda Easterly, research associate professor. “The Box Butte County dryland stop at Chris Cullan’s will also be canceled, though we will continue with the irrigated stop at that location.”
Some wheat tour stops will continue as planned to provide growers with important information about wheat variety performance and crop management. The Jefferson County and Hitchcock Red Willow County events remain on schedule during June. The Perkins County event at the Stumpf International Wheat Research Center will continue in a shorter format.
The field day planned at the High Plains Ag Lab near Sidney moves indoors to Western Nebraska Community College in Sidney after the wheat crop at the research site is terminated due to poor growing conditions. The indoor event still includes lunch, opportunities to meet seed company representatives, and updates from the university wheat breeding program.
Wheat variety trials in Scotts Bluff and Kimball counties are also terminated because of crop damage caused by drought and freeze conditions. University specialists continue monitoring the remaining test locations, although some may not be harvested if crop quality standards are not reached.
The difficult season also creates concerns about certified seed supplies. Growers are encouraged to reserve seed early once they decide their planting plans for the upcoming season. Previous wheat yield information and variety performance data remain available through CropWatch resources to help producers select suitable wheat varieties for fall planting.
University specialists continue supporting Nebraska growers by providing updated research, variety information, and educational events despite ongoing weather challenges affecting the state’s wheat crop.
Photo Credit: depositphotos-simazoran
Categories: Nebraska, Crops, Wheat, Weather