Kansas farmers are expected to bring in the smallest winter wheat harvest in nearly three decades this year amid the ongoing drought that has stunted wheat fields across the state.

The Kansas Wheat Quality Council has estimated that growers will likely harvest 243.3 million bushels this season.  That’s the lowest wheat production since 1989.

In Geary County, Extension Agent Chuck Otte agreed with the low crop production forecast. “Long term county average wheat yield is around 45, 50 bushels per acre. In 1989 we had a 12-bushel county average yield. 1989 was bad. The wheat crop right now is looking better than it did in 1989, but we’re still six weeks from harvest.”

Otte addressed the topic with JCPost.com during a Geary County Agriculture Day event for third grade students.