By Jamie Martin
U.S. Wheat Associates’ first detailed 2025 wheat quality report finds the soft red winter (SRW) wheat crop in strong shape, with steady production and reliable milling performance despite weather variability.
SRW wheat, the third largest U.S. wheat class, grows mainly east of the Mississippi and in southern areas such as northeast Texas and southeast Kansas. Farmers faced a mostly dry winter followed by plentiful rainfall, yet higher yields offset slightly reduced acreage. The U.S. Department of Agriculture projects 2025/26 SRW output at 339 million bushels, just below last year’s 342 million.
Known for making cookies, crackers, snack foods, and cake flour, SRW is also valued for blending with hard red wheat to improve bread crumb and lower grist costs.
Great Plains Analytical Laboratory in Kansas City tested 219 samples from 18 reporting areas across 11 states, covering about 71% of total production. The crop averaged U.S. No. 2 SRW grade. Gulf region wheat retained stable test weights but showed lower protein due to higher yields, while East Coast wheat had slightly higher protein and lower test weights from harvest rain. Falling numbers were lower than normal in both regions.
Flour extraction rates declined slightly from last year. Gulf Solvent Retention Capacity values supported traditional cookie and cake uses, while East Coast values rose above the five-year average, indicating strong cookie performance.
Buyers are urged to confirm quality specifications because of localized high enzymatic activity and vomitoxin, which is best directed to feed channels. “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.”
These results will be shared globally through annual crop quality seminars for millers and importers.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-orientaly
Categories: National