From the U.S. Wheat Associates Wheat Letter Amid this year’s volatile markets and relatively slow demand, U.S. soft white wheat (SW) has provided many customers with buying opportunities, positioning itself as one of the most competitive classes of U.S. wheat. In recent months, dryness in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) this spring dominated market news and discussions about quality. As harvest ... Read More »
State
Crop progress report 07/16: Start of summer harvest in Washington
From NASS There were 7 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, unchanged from 7 days reported the previous week. Western Washington reported dry conditions and drought, with no major changes to crop conditions from last week. Central Washington reported dry conditions and wildfires that had been contained. The second cutting of hay harvest had almost finished, and wheat harvest had ... Read More »
Washington winter wheat production down 19% from last year
From the National Agricultural Statistics Service Winter Wheat Based on July 1, 2023, conditions, production of winter wheat in Washington is forecast at 99.2 million bushels, up 1% from last month, but down 19% from last year. Harvested area, at 1.74 million acres, is down 60,000 acres from 2022. Yield is expected to be 57 bushels per acre, down 11 ... Read More »
Crop progress report 07/10: Summer heat continued in Washington
From NASS There were 7 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, up from 6.9 days reported the previous week. Western Washington reported more hot and dry conditions with no precipitation. Central Washington had crops showing signs of drought. Pasture was getting short, and ranchers were looking for places to move their livestock. In Yakima County, there was no precipitation, and ... Read More »
Washington senator calls for cap-and-trade changes
From the Capital Press A Washington Republican state senator said July 5 the Department of Ecology should act to bring down the cost of cap-and-trade allowances to ease the upward pressure on fuel prices. read the rest of the article here. Read More »
Crop progress report 7/2: Warm, dry week in Washington
From NASS There were 6.9 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, unchanged from the previous week. Western Washington continued to experience hot and dry conditions. Most first cutting alfalfa hay was complete and second cutting was underway. Corn emerged, and farmers reported that grass crops were growing slower than usual due to the dry conditions. In central Washington, soil dried ... Read More »
Asotin growers award high school grads scholarships
The Asotin County wheat growers have awarded 2023 Asotin High School graduates, Haylee Appleford and Samantha Johnson, $1,000 scholarships for their college ambitions. Haylee Appleford Appleford is the daughter of Dusty and Sunni Appleford. She grew up on her family’s wheat farm in Anatone, Wash., where they also raise some cattle. At Asotin High School, Appleford was active in volleyball, ... Read More »
Crop progress report 06/25: Seasonally cool temperatures throughout Washington
From NASS There were 6.9 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, up from 6 days reported the previous week. Western Washington had continued dry conditions. Central Washington had cool temperatures with light moisture in some areas. Winter wheat looked fair in most areas, but spring grains needed moisture. In Okanogan and Ferry counties, the wind and moisture put a damper ... Read More »
Washington gas prices top US as carbon fee takes hold
From the Capital Press Washington has moved past California to have the most expensive gasoline in the U.S., a surge coinciding with Washington’s cap-and-trade carbon fee almost doubling California’s. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »
Crop progress report 06/18: Unusual Washington weather
From NASS There were 6 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, down from 6.3 days recorded the previous week. Western Washington saw dry conditions until the weekend. Producers were busy irrigating fields. Strawberry harvest was underway for fresh and processed markets. Central Washington had a windstorm on June 13 and 14. Heavy smoke was seen from the Canadian forest fires. ... Read More »