2026 Nebraska Small Grain Acreage and Production

by CropWatch

September 30, 2026

Golden oat field under soft sunlight.
Nebraska's small-grain crops took different paths in 2026, with winter wheat production falling sharply while oat production climbed.
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Winter wheat production is estimated at 17.2 million bushels, down 55% from last year, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The area harvested for grain totaled 520,000 acres, down 35% from 2025. Planted acreage totaled 910,000, down 4% from a year earlier. The yield is 33.0 bushels per acre, down 14 bushels from last year.

Oat production is estimated at 1.5 million bushels, up 51% from 2025. Area harvested for grain, at 29,000 acres, is up 45% from last year. Planted acreage totaled 155,000, up 24% from a year earlier. Average yield is 52.0 bushels per acre, up 2 bushels from 2025.

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