An agricultural machine is used during the summer wheat harvest in Shandong. [Photo/Haibao News]

Shandong, China's second-largest wheat producer, has nearly completed its summer grain harvest. By June 21, the province had harvested over 60.3 million mu (4.02 million hectares) of wheat, according to local agricultural authorities. Sowing for the summer grain season reached 56.38 million mu and is expected to finish by June 25.

The season was anything but smooth. Autumn floods delayed winter wheat sowing, leaving early seedlings weak, while persistent rain during the harvest period created tight windows for field work. But coordinated efforts in technical guidance, equipment maintenance, and post‑harvest services helped keep the season on track.

Technology played a central role. In Heze, smart harvesters reduced grain loss by 15 to 25 kilograms per mu. Qingdao's digital agricultural platform now connects over 5,900 producers, integrating more than 80.6 million data points.

Shandong has also invested heavily in farmland infrastructure, building 77.91 million mu of high‑standard farmland by the end of 2025. That has raised per‑mu grain output by 10 to 20 percent and helped sustain total annual grain output above 55 billion metric tons for five consecutive years.

From reclaiming saline‑alkali land to applying integrated land‑improvement practices, Shandong's experience shows that smart investment and technology can turn a difficult season into a successful harvest.