WAWG
From NPR The wheat harvest on Marci Green’s farm doesn’t usually begin until late August, but a severe drought stunted this year’s crop and her crews finished harvesting last week because she didn’t want what had grown so far to shrivel and die in the heat. It’s the same story across the wheat country of eastern Washington state, a vast ... Read More »
State
Crop progress report 08/08: Harvest continued in Washington
From NASS There were 6.9 days suitable for field work, up from 6.7 the previous week. Statewide temperatures for the week ending Aug. 8 were above normal. In Jefferson County, the weather remained very dry. Crops showed stress, and growth slowed down. Crops were ahead in maturity compared to a normal year. In Whatcom County, producers struggled to keep up ... Read More »
WAWG welcomes new board members
In June, the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) welcomed two new board members, Leif Claassen from Asotin County and Dave Swannack from Whitman County. Leif Claassen Claassen is the third generation on his family’s Asotin County farm. He graduated from Washington State University (WSU) in 2006 with a degree in ag technology and management with a minor in business. ... Read More »
NAWG CEO says heat, drought hurting wheat crop
From the Capital Press Over the summer, National Association of Wheat Growers CEO Chandler Goule toured six wheat-producing states. He says Washington wheat farmers hold a dubious distinction. “I hate to tell you this, but Washington still wins,” he told the Capital Press by phone Aug. 4. “You all still have the shortest wheat that’s got the most heat stress on ... Read More »
WAWG secretary/treasurer represents industry in new TV spot
Andy Juris, Washington Association of Wheat Growers secretary/treasurer and a farmer from Klickitat County, is featured in KXLY’s latest Tribute 4 Our Farmers television spot. Read More »
Crop progress report 08/01: Extremely dry conditions on nonirrigated land in Washington
From NASS There were 6.7 days suitable for field work, down from the previous week. Statewide temperatures for the week ending Aug. 1, were above normal. In San Juan County, drought conditions remained. Most hay was done, but a lot was poor quality. Some fields of barley pulled through the drought and were harvested. Blueberry harvest had begun, and other ... Read More »
Drought threatens fall wheat planting in parts of Eastern Washington
From the Capital Press A dearth of soil moisture due to drought might not allow researchers to plant wheat this fall at Washington State University’s dryland research station, and farmers in other parts of the region might face the same problem. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »
Washington wheat growers face low yields in record drought year
From the Spokesman-Review Short stalks, thin rows, cracked soil and small bushels; the wheat Kevin Klein is harvesting in a field near Sprague just looks plain different this year. At least that’s what he sees, and considering he’s a fourth generation farmer who’s been working some type of a field for basically his entire life, its not too much of ... Read More »
Crop progress report 07/25: Dry conditions, winter wheat harvest continued in Washington
From NASS There were 7 days suitable for field work, unchanged from the previous week. Statewide temperatures for the week ending July 25, were above normal. In Whatcom County, drought conditions remained. All crops needed irrigation. Raspberry harvest ended, and blueberry harvest began. In San Juan County, many farms had livestock on stockpiled feed. Many grazing pastures were completely brown. ... Read More »
Elevators discount high-protein wheat, offer premiums for low-protein crops
From the Capital Press Northwest white wheat farmers may see discounts because of high protein levels in their crops. Higher protein wheat is good for crackers, but detrimental for most soft white products such as cookies or cakes, said Art Bettge, a Moscow, Idaho, industry consultant. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »