The vast agricultural landscape of Kansas, forged by the Great Plains environment, is characterized by expansive, fertile soil and varied rainfall patterns. This environment has positioned the state as a major food producer. Agriculture serves as the largest economic driver in Kansas, establishing the region as a powerhouse in domestic and international commodity markets. The industry contributes tens of billions of dollars annually to the state’s economy.
Kansas’s Defining Grains
Kansas is globally recognized for its grain production, centered on three dominant crops: wheat, corn, and sorghum. The state is consistently the nation’s leading producer of winter wheat, with the vast majority being Hard Red Winter (HRW) wheat. This specific class of wheat is planted in the fall, enters a dormant state during the winter months, and is harvested in the early summer. HRW wheat is valued for its high protein and strong gluten content, making it the preferred grain for producing pan bread, hard rolls, and all-purpose flour.
Corn is the second major grain, with production distributed across the state, but with focus in the west where irrigation is common. Irrigated corn production often relies on water from the Ogallala Aquifer, which allows for higher yields in the more arid plains. The predominant type grown is yellow dent corn, primarily directed toward livestock feed and ethanol production.
Grain sorghum, often called milo, completes the trio and is another crop where Kansas leads the nation in production. This grain is highly valued for its drought tolerance and water-use efficiency, thriving in areas where corn would struggle without extensive irrigation. Sorghum is an important feed grain for livestock and has an increasing role in the state’s ethanol industry.
Essential Rotation and Feed Crops
Soybeans represent a major cash crop that improves soil health through crop rotation. These legumes fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, acting as a natural fertilizer for subsequent grain crops. Integrating soybeans into a cycle with wheat or corn can lead to better overall yields and reduce the need for synthetic nitrogen applications. Harvested soybeans are processed into oil and a high-protein meal, which is a staple ingredient in livestock feed.
Hay production, encompassing both alfalfa and prairie hay, forms the foundation of the state’s massive livestock sector. Kansas ranks highly nationwide for the quantity of hay harvested annually. This forage is a primary component in the diet of the state’s cattle population, especially in feeding operations. Additionally, forage sorghum is grown and converted into silage, a fermented feed that provides a nutrient-dense winter ration for beef and dairy cattle.
Economic Scale and National Ranking
Kansas routinely holds the top national position for both winter wheat and grain sorghum, often producing more than half of the nation’s sorghum crop. The state also ranks among the top ten for corn and soybean production, cementing its status as a multi-commodity agricultural leader. Beyond crops, Kansas is a powerhouse in animal agriculture, ranking first in the number of cattle processed and second in fed cattle marketing. This massive output translates into an economic contribution of approximately $88 billion to the state, supporting over 260,000 jobs across the entire value chain.