South Dakota Wheat Producers Gather Amid Drought Challenges

The 37th annual Winter Wheat Meeting will take place on August 27, 2026, at the City of Draper Auditorium in Brookings, South Dakota. The event is free and open to all producers and community members, with a sponsored meal served beforehand.

This year's meeting comes as South Dakota wheat producers face unique challenges due to drought conditions that persisted throughout the state. According to Clarence Winter, SDSU Extension Agronomy Field Specialist, winter wheat is grown across all four seasons of the year, making it susceptible to unfavorable conditions at critical points in the production cycle.

The meeting will feature updates from SDSU's winter wheat variety trials and other relevant research for growers in South Dakota and surrounding regions. Speakers include Sunish Sehgal, a professor and lead winter wheat breeder, who will present findings from the 2026 winter wheat variety trials and share updates on ongoing breeding efforts.

Matthew Elliott, associate professor and SDSU Extension Agribusiness Specialist, will discuss current wheat market conditions, price trends, and marketing considerations for producers preparing to sell their 2026 crop. Laura Edwards, SDSU Extension State Climatologist, will provide a climate update and outlook for South Dakota, as well as insights on weather-related impacts to wheat production.