Wheat crops damaged by drought are seen during an annual winter wheat tour, near Colby, Kansas, U.S., May 13, 2025. Photo: Reuters/Emily Schmall

‘Amber waves of grain’ recede in America’s heartland as wheat farmers struggle

Midwestern farmers abandoning wheat crops as profits recede, weather challenges

The Great Plains have long been celebrated for the “amber waves of grain” in the popular hymn “America the Beautiful.” The region’s states produce most of the U.S.-grown crop of hard red winter wheat, favored by bakers for bread. But with prices hovering around $5 (C$6.86) per bushel, U.S. wheat farmers have reached an inflection point, with many forced to either lose money, feed wheat to cattle or kill off the crop.



A physiological leaf spot.

Physiological leaf spot suspected in southern Alberta winter wheat

Scouting for physiological leaf spot during early summer crucial to battling future spread

Reading Time: < 1 minute Physiological leaf spot has been suspected in winter wheat fields in southern Alberta. It is important for farmers to be scouting for PLS during June and July to asses the risk to their crops.