USW report shows resilient quality and value
The first 2025 crop quality report from U.S. Wheat Associates highlights a strong soft red winter (SRW) wheat harvest, noting excellent milling characteristics and reliable market value despite environmental challenges. SRW is the nation’s third largest wheat class, grown mainly east of the Mississippi River and stretching into the South and parts of Texas and Kansas.
A dry winter followed by plentiful mid-season rain shaped the crop. Although planted acreage dipped slightly, higher yields kept overall production steady. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates 2025/26 SRW production at 339 million bushels, nearly matching last year’s 342 million bushels.
This versatile wheat is prized for cookies, crackers, snack foods and cake flour, and it blends well with hard red wheat classes to lower costs and improve bread texture.
Great Plains Analytical Laboratory collected and tested 219 samples from 11 states, representing 71% of national SRW output. The average grade was U.S. No. 2 SRW. Gulf region wheat showed stable test weights and slightly lower protein from strong yields, while East Coast wheat had higher protein but lower test weights due to rain. Falling numbers were lower than average across regions.
Flour extraction rates were slightly below last year. Solvent Retention Capacity profiles in the Gulf supported cookies and cakes, while East Coast SRC values were higher, aligning well with cookie performance.
Buyers are encouraged to review quality specifications, as some pockets had higher enzymatic activity and vomitoxin better suited for animal feed. “Buyers should be satisfied with the excellent quality and competitive price of the 2025 U.S. SRW wheat crop,” said Erica Oakley, USW vice president of programs. “Processors will find a versatile crop suitable with good qualities for cookies and crackers. With functional protein and good extensibility, the crop should also be valuable in blending for baking applications.”
Global crop quality seminars will now share this detailed data with international customers.
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