Colorado Wheat Outlook Report – June 19, 2026

On June 11th, USDA NASS released its updated production estimates. Colorado’s estimated winter wheat production for 2026 remained at 33.6 million bushels, with an average yield of 21 bushels per acre. However, there is a high amount of not only drought damage to Colorado’s wheat crop, but also freeze damage. There are many fields around the state that have thick stands, but the heads of the plants did not fill properly. There is a chance Colorado’s winter wheat production might not even break 30 million bushels this year.

There are reports of harvest activity picking up south of I-70. Areas north of I-70 could start harvest as early as this weekend.

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Premium Program

2026 program Information:

Ardent Mills has partnered with the Colorado Wheat Research Foundation (CWRF) and CSU for years to develop top performing wheat varieties that meet the special quality needed for UltraGrain®.

Eligible Plainsgold Varieties:

PlainsGold Hard White Winter wheat varieties are developed at Colorado State University (CSU) specifically for the quality characteristics needed by Ardent Mills, with the yield performance and agronomics needed by farmers.

For the 2026 crop year, the following varieties are included in the program: Snowmass 2.0, Breck, Monarch, Windom SF, and Telluride. Certified seed is required on all Ardent Mills contracts, and the use of glyphosate for pre-harvest crop desiccation is prohibited.

Ardent Mills is currently paying premiums as follows for the 2026 crop. Future year contracts are subject to market conditions and may change. For 2026, all varieties are paid at the same premium levels:

Delivery Points:

Once you have harvested your wheat crop, complete the program by delivering your qualifying wheat crop to the delivery point in Colorado or Nebraska as listed on your grain pricing schedule: