Dealing with Damage That Comes on Four Legs

WThe official publicationHEAT of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers LIFE APRIL 2017

Dealing with damage that comes on four legs

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: Getting to know Hilary Franz AMMO reports: Crop Insurance, ag policy, yield factors

The 2017 Preferred Variety

Address Service Requested Service Address Brochure is here

109 East First Avenue, Ritzville, WA 99169 WA Ritzville, Avenue, First East 109 Washington Association of Wheat Growers Wheat of Association Washington WHEAT LIFE President’s Perspective Volume 60 • Number 04 The rewards of being a WAWG member www.wheatlife.org By Ben Adams The official publication of Do you remember that catchphrase, “Where’s the beef?” WASHINGTON Last month in this space I talked about some of the in- ASSOCIATION OF tangible, personal benefits growers receive from getting WHEAT GROWERS involved in our industry in general and our association in 109 East First Avenue particular. This month, I thought I’d talk about some of the Ritzville, WA 99169-2394 more tangible, professional benefits you get from becom- (509) 659-0610 • (877) 740-2666 ing a member of the Washington Association of Wheat WAWG MEMBERSHIP Growers (WAWG)—the meat of the matter, so to speak. (509) 659-0610 • (877) 740-2666 As a farmer, it’s important to stay current on what’s happening in Olympia and $125 per year Washington, D.C. It’s also important to know what’s happening with agriculture EDITOR in general, both here in the state and across the country. Every Thursday, WAWG Trista Crossley • [email protected] emails out the Greensheet ALERT newsletter, in which you’ll find links to impor- (435) 260-8888 tant news stories, updates on issues WAWG is addressing and a list of upcoming AD SALES MANAGER events. We also use Greensheet to alert growers to actions we think it’s important Kevin Gaffney • [email protected] for you to take, such as calling your state representative to voice your concerns on (509) 235-2715 a particular bill or taking part in a farm bill survey. Greensheet is one of the best GRAPHIC DESIGN ways our association has to get your attention on something we think is impor- Devin Taylor • Trista Crossley tant. It’s also a way for you, as a member, to keep track of what we are doing. AD BILLING As a WAWG member, you also get free admission to our Agricultural Marketing Michelle Hennings • [email protected] and Management (AMMO) workshops, including the ever-popular Wheat College (509) 659-0610 • (877) 740-2666 (April 27 in the Tri-Cities, so don’t forget to register). AMMO just wrapped up its CIRCULATION 2017 schedule. This year, topics included falling numbers, a look at ag policy under Address changes, extra copies, subscriptions the Trump Administration and tips on marketing your wheat. Past topics have run Chauna Carlson • [email protected] the gamut from making succession plans to help on navigating farm bill programs (509) 659-0610 • (877) 740-2666 to making an organization’s board better. There’s always something for everybody. Subscriptions are $50 per year Finally, becoming a WAWG member means you get a voice in fighting for and WAWG EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR defending our industry. Maybe that’s not quite as tangible as a newsletter, but it’s Michelle Hennings much more satisfying than sitting back and letting others—the public, elected of- WAWG EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ficials—decide the future of your livelihood. PRESIDENT You can find our membership form on page 6. You can also find a membership Ben Adams • Coulee City form at our website, wawg.org, under the “About Us” tab. And speaking of web- VICE PRESIDENT sites, you don’t have to be a member to take advantage of any of ours. WAWG’s Marci Green • Fairfield website focuses more on our mission of advocating and lobbying for our indus- SECRETARY/TREASURER try, as well as information on the organization itself. This magazine’s website, Jeffrey Shawver • Connell wheatlife.org, gives us a chance to push the publication beyond our borders and PRESIDENT EMERITUS Kevin Klein • Edwall into the public’s hands. Both websites are pretty helpful, if you ask me, and I’d en- APPOINTED MEMBERS courage you to take a look at them. We also have Facebook pages for WAWG and Andy Juris • Bickleton Wheat Life, as well as a Twitter feed (@WAWheatGrowers). Howard McDonald • Coulee City One last note: I know it can be confusing, but just because you receive Wheat Life Ryan Poe • Hartline doesn’t mean you are a WAWG member. Everybody who grows wheat and pays Wheat Life (ISSN 0043-4701) is published by the into the Washington wheat assessment gets a copy of this magazine. If you aren’t Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG): 109 E. First Avenue • Ritzville, WA 99169-2394 sure if you are a member or not, give our office a call at (509) 659-0610. It will only Eleven issues per year with a combined August/ take a minute, and you can use the opportunity to tell us how we are doing. September issue. Standard (A) postage paid at It’s mid-March right now, and we are still under snow cover up here in Douglas Ritzville, Wash., and additional entry offices. County, but it’s melting rapidly, and I hope to be out in the fields soon. One last Contents of this publication may not be re- printed without permission. thing—if you find yourself stuck in the mud, email a photo to [email protected]. Advertising in Wheat Life does not indicate en- Here’s wishing you all a successful start to your spring operations. dorsement of an organization, product or political candidate by WAWG. Cover photo: In the past few years, growers in Asotin County have seen increasing numbers of elk in their fields, causing damage to crops and fences alike. See story on page 26. All photos are Shutterstock images or taken by Wheat Life staff unless otherwise noted.

2 WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 Inside This Issue WAWG President’s Perspective 2 Dialogue 4 Membership Form 6 WAWG at Work 8 Policy Matters 16 Building a Foundation 24 A hungry horde Elk are causing problems in Asotin County 26 Welcome to Wheat College Details on annual growers’ workshop 34 Getting to know Hilary Franz New commissioner answers questions 36 AMMO report #1 Crop insurance options explained 40 AMMO report #2 Forecasting ag policy, yield factors201744 Quality Rankings Varieties are listed by statistical quality rankings by class. When making a decision between varieties with similar agronomic characteristics and grain yield potential, choose the variety with the WGC Chairman’s Columnhigher quality ranking. This will help to increase the overall quality and desirability of Pacific49 Northwest (PNW) wheat. Most Desirable (MD)— weights, appropriate proteinThese content varieties (kernel generally properties), have highand excellenttest Washington Grain Commission milling and end-use properties. 2702 West Sunset Blvd, Suite A WGC Review Spokane, WA 99224 Desirable (D)—50 (509) 456-2481 The kernel, milling, and end-use qualities of these varieties range from good to very good. The quality attributes of these E-mail: [email protected] varieties are desirable in international trade. Website: www.wagrains.org Quality countsAcceptable (A)— varieties range fromThe acceptable kernel, milling,to good. and Individual end-use varieties qualities may of these Washington 2017 Preferred Variety Brochure is outpossess minor flaws.52 The quality attributes of these varieties are Oregon acceptable in international trade. North Idaho Least Desirable (LD)— Oregon Wheat Commission characteristics for this classThese of wheat. varieties The haveintrinsic displayed quality low of PNW quality 1200 NW Naito Pkwy, #370 New lines of communicationwheat will be improved if these varieties are not planted. Portland, OR 97209-2879 Unacceptable Except Customer-Specific Uses (UCS)— (503) 467-2161 Extension in the information agemore critical flaws in quality55 are present in these varieities and will E-mail: [email protected] not make suitable products for this class of wheat. ProductionOne of these or Website: www.owgl.org varieties should be targeted to specific end-uses and kept strictly segregated from general commercial channels. Wheat WatchThese rankings are based on the results of the Genotype and Environment Study (G&E) 58 Western Wheat Quality Laboratory, quality testing the Washington conducted by State the UniveristyUSDA Wheat Quality Program, the University of Idaho Wheat Quality Idaho Wheat Commission Reflecting on Olympia Laboratory,Days and the Oregon State University Cereal Quality Laboratory, 821 West State St including relevant breeding nurseries. Boise, ID 83702-5832 Ambassadors recount capital visit 60 (208) 334-2353 End-use quality determinations were based on results from grain, E-mail: [email protected] milling and product quality tests. Website: www.idahowheat.org The quality scores presented here reflect a minimum of three years’ data The Bottom Linein the G&E study, using a reference variety for each class. The scores are reviewed yearly as new data becomes64 available, and are subject to change. Varieties not listed have not been tested or have less than three years of data. For complete results, please visit the website: USDA Western Wheat Quality Lab Your Wheatwww.wsu.edu/~wwql/php/index.php Life Craig Morris, Lab Director For agronomic information, please consult:66 1) the Washington State Crop Doug Engle, Lab Manager Improvement Association Certified Seed Buying Guide; 2) WSU Uniform (509) 335-4062 Cereal Variety Testing Program (http://variety.wsu.edu); 3) North Idaho E-mail: [email protected] Extension Cereals Program (http://cals.uidaho.edu/cereals/nidaho); Website: www.wsu.edu/~wwql Happenings4) Oregon Elite Yield Trials (http://cropandsoil.oregonstate.edu/wheat/ state_performance_data.htm). 68 Preferred Wheat Varieties is provided courtesy of: The Washington Grain Commission, the Oregon Wheat Commission, and the Idaho Wheat Commission. Advertiser Index 70 The G and E Study is financially supported by the WGC, OWC, and IWC. Contributors Ben Adams, president, Washington Association of Wheat Growers T. Randall Fortenbery, Ph.D., Thomas B. Mick Endowed Chair in Grain Mike Miller, chairman, Washington Grain Commission Economics, Washington State University Scott A. Yates, communications director, Washington Grain Nick Schultheis, WAWG ambassador Commission Tessa Jantz, WAWG ambassador Diana Carlen, lobbyist, Washington Association of Wheat Growers Curtis Evanenko, risk management advisor, McGregor Risk Rich Koenig, associate dean, Washington State University Extension Management Services

WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 3 DialogueDialogue

Clearing up combine’s convoluted leveler history Dear Editor, I was excited to see the article about the “old combine” on page 66 of your March 2017 issue of Wheat Life. I plan to go see the combine at my earliest opportunity, and other family members have said they will as well. My dad was not into the preservation side of old machinery, although he gave a bunch of old tractors additional life with newer engines or electric starters. However, that particular combine always had a fond place in his memory. Many times he said that it would be interesting to track that particular combine down. Thank you to the people at the Eastern Washington Agricultural Museum and those who donated to the preservation. Thank you also to the former owners who didn’t donate the combine to the scrap yard. I would like to clarify some information in the article. I never heard my father, or anyone else, refer to that system as the “Kroll-Moscow Machine” leveler. It was always the “Moscow” leveler. Dad always said that it was a collaborative effort between Everett Will Tractor Company in Moscow, Idaho, and Idaho Machine and Sheet Metal. When John Deere bought the patent for the leveler in 1952, there were four names on the check besides my dad’s. The others were Everett Will, owner of Everett Will Tractor Company; Frank Farber, owner of Idaho Machine and Sheet Metal; Elwood Widman; and Bill Jones. Mr. Widman, Mr. Jones and dad worked for Everett Will Tractor Company. Without the support and contribution of the other four, particularly Mr. Farber who did much of the machine work and fabricating, the leveler may not have happened. Mr. Will was the financial backing. One other clarification. In 1957, dad left Everett Will Tractor to become the shop supervisor and part owner of Arrow Machinery when it opened in Colfax, Wash. In late 1971, dad traded his interest in Arrow for the assets of Arrow Machine Shop and formed Kroll Machine Shop. In 1973, dad incorporated as Kroll Machine and Supply which continues in operation today. Again, thank you, Wheat Life, for the article. I am just thrilled. Chris Kroll (youngest son of Everett Kroll) Yakima, Wash.

Are you receiving your ALERT? Share your comments with With their annual membership, Washington Association of Wheat Growers members can us at [email protected] receive industry updates through the weekly digital Greensheet ALERT via email. If you are or mail them to 109 East not receiving this ALERT, there are two possible problems. Either we don’t have your current First Avenue, Ritzville, WA email address on file, or our ALERT is going into your spam folder. Please check your email’s spam folder for the ALERT and unspam it. You can also call our office at (509) 659-0610 to 99169-2394. Please keep make sure we have your current email address. your submissions less than 300 words.

4 WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 30L

DEMAND MORE FROM NITROGEN

NDemand® 30L is a polymer-based combination of multiple nitrogen sources designed for foliar application. This unique polymer technology promotes moisture retention for a safer, more efficient source of foliar nutrition.

For more information on how NDemand 30L is right for your wheat crop, contact your local Wilbur-Ellis nutrition specialist today.

NDemand.wilburellis.com

Find your local specialist at locations.wilburellis.com

For information only. Not a label. Prior to use, always read and follow the product label directions. WILBUR-ELLIS logo, Ideas to Grow With and NDemand are registered trademarks, and the NDemand logo is a trademark of Wilbur-Ellis Company LLC. K-0317-742 WAWG MEMBERSHIP FORM Please check level of membership Thank you to our Student $75 Partnership $500 Grower $125 (up to 5 partners) Landlord $125 Convention $600 current members Family $200 (up to 2 members) Lifetime $2,500 We fight every day to ensure that life on the family farm continues to prosper and grow. Name WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT.

Farm or Business If you are not a member, please consider joining today. LEVELS OF MEMBERSHIP Address

City

State Zip Greensheet Newsletter Wheat Life Magazine National Wheat Grower Newsletter HarvestAnnual Prints Convention WAWG Registration Free One per Vote Member Producer/Landowners (Voting Membership) Phone Fax Grower or Landlord $125 X X X X Family $200 X X X X Email (2 family members) Partnership $500 X X X X X County Affiliation (if none, write state) (1-5 family members) Convention $600 X X X X X Circle all that apply: (2 individuals) Producer Landlord Individual Industry Rep. Business Owner Student Other Lifetime $2,500 X X X X X (1 individual) Return this form with your check to: WAWG • 109 East First Ave. • Ritzville, WA 99169. Non-Voting Membership Or call 877-740-2666 and use your credit card to enroll by phone. Student $75 X X X

WAWG’s current top priorities are: ✔ Fighting mandatory carbon emissions ✔ Preserving the ag tax preferences: regulations. • Sales tax exemption on fertilizer and pesticides ✔ Maintaining a safe and sound • Ag wholesale B&O exemption transportation system that includes rail, • Off-road fuel tax exemption river and roads. • Repair parts exemption Washington state continues to look for more revenue, and farmers’ tax exemptions are on the list. If these are important to your operation, join today and help us fight.

More member benefits: Washington Association • Greensheet ALERTS • WAWG updates of Wheat Growers • Voice to WAWG through opinion surveys 109 East First Ave. • Ritzville, WA 99169 • National Wheat Grower updates 509-659-0610 • 877-740-2666 • 509-659-4302 (fax) • State and national legislative updates www.wawg.org Call 877-740-2666 or visit www.wawg.org ATI SOLUTIONS, LLC your PWM and Spray Nozzles Experts We can help you spray more efficiently and minimize spray drift problems

DynaJet® Flex 7120 NOZZLE CONTROL SYSTEM

• Increase your spraying Productivity • Maintain constant droplet size at different pressures • Constant application rate at various ground speeds • Minimize drift and maximize coverage • Vary the capacity of your spray tips from the cab • Independent control of flow rate and droplet size

HAWKEYE® Nozzle Control Systems • Compatible with ISO Task Controllers • Ultra-precise, consistent spray pattern • Individual nozzle shut-off with HAWKEYE HD • Accurate droplet size with PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) • Fully integrated with machine application control systems • Adjustable pressure on the fly, including 2 pre-set pressures • Ability to program up to 16 virtual sections for shut-off • Individual valve diagnostics monitor each nozzle

See us for solutions on Guidance, Autosteer, Application and setting up your “Connected Farm.”

ATI Solutions, LLC Jones Truck & Implement, Inc. Partners working for you! 3002 E Second St. 425 Walla Walla Hwy. 304 N Ninth Avenue The Dalles OR 97058 Colfax WA 99111 Walla Walla WA 99362 541-298-6277 509-397-4371 509-525-6620 www.atisolutionsllc.com WAWG at WORK ADVOCATING FOR THE WHEAT FARMERS OF EASTERN WASHINGTON Board reviews association’s activity before spring seeding break

March’s state board meeting of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers cance of that transportation system (WAWG), the last before the spring seeding break, gave leadership a chance to to the region’s wheat industry.” review the association’s recent activities, update board members on falling num- In addition to their meetings on bers progress and discuss membership benefits. the Pacific Northwest’s river sys- Last month, the leadership team traveled to San Antonio, Texas, and tem, Hennings and Sullivan also Washington, D.C., for Commodity Classic and the Pacific Northwest Waterways met with staff from Washington’s Association’s (PNWA) Mission to D.C., respectively. While at Commodity federal delegation to discuss the Classic, the officers took part in the National Association of Wheat Grower’s upcoming appropriations request for (NAWG) annual meeting. See the full report on page 10. research funding on falling numbers and to thank them for their sup- WAWG’s Executive Director Michelle Hennings and Washington Grain port. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) Commission Vice President Mary Palmer Sullivan both took part in the is leading the charge on the Senate PNWA trip. The group heard presentations on the ports, appropriations, the Appropriations Committee. She Columbia River Treaty and updates from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. recently met with Sonny Perdue, Hennings and Sullivan also took part in meetings with federal legislators from the nominee for U.S. Department Washington, Oregon and Idaho. of Agriculture’s (USDA) secretary “It was interesting to experience first-hand how PNWA advocates for the of agriculture, and was able to ports and waterways of the Pacific Northwest,” Hennings said. “We feel that explain the issue and its impacts telling a commodity’s story of the importance of the Columbia-Snake River on farmers to him. On the House System, especially the dams, was beneficial and helped underscore the signifi- side, Appropriations Committee members Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.) and Jamie Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.) were all very supportive of the request. Washington Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers agreed to lead a member support letter from the Pacific Northwest delegations to House and Senate appropriations committees urging them to vote for the request. The industry organizations from the three states are requesting $1 million to establish a USDA Agricultural Research Service position in Pullman, Wash., that would address the current falling number test, investigate the possibilities of a rapid response falling number test A WHITMAN COUNTY WELCOME. If all goes according to plan, soon there will be signs to use at the elevator and to research welcoming visitors to Whitman County, naming it the leading wheat-producing county in the genetic causes of falling numbers. nation. During their March meeting, the county wheat growers agreed to fund up to six of the The states are also requesting $2 mil- new signs to be installed by the Whitman County Road Department, in cooperation with the lion for National Institute of Food Washington Department of Transportation, on the main routes leading into the county. Growers also heard updates from Washington Grain Commissioner Gary Bailey and grower Larry Cochran and Agriculture competitive grants who recently attended the National Barley Improvement Committee gathering in Washington, that would research falling numbers D.C. in soft white wheat.

8 WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 眀眀眀⸀愀最琀爀甀挀欀猀愀渀搀攀焀甀椀瀀洀攀渀琀⸀挀漀洀

䄀䜀吀刀唀䌀䬀匀嘀䔀䌀吀伀刀 ᰠ吀伀倀匀䔀䰀䰀䤀一䜀匀倀刀䄀夀䔀刀䤀一吀䠀䔀䔀一吀䤀刀䔀䤀一䰀䄀一䐀一伀刀吀䠀圀䔀匀吀⸀ᴠ WL WAWG AT WORK

Falling numbers came up again later from the American Life Insurance Company as well as a discount on a Life in the meeting as WAWG Vice President Flight Network membership (formerly Northwest MedStar). Members also Marci Green and Hennings talked receive free admission to the Agricultural Marketing and Management about the effort to change how the Risk Organization’s educational sessions, along with subscriptions to WAWG’s Management Agency (RMA) deals with weekly Greensheet ALERT newsletter and Wheat Life. quality issues. NAWG is helping WAWG The next board meeting will be in May. tackle the issue from the national level, and both Green and Hennings said they were hopeful that national pres- Farm bill, quality discounts discussed sure would help move the needle on the issue. Green, who sits on a NAWG subcommittee that is addressing the at annual Commodity Classic meeting quality issue, added her concern is that Last month, members of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers’ to get movement from RMA, they will (WAWG) leadership team took part in the National Association of Wheat need volumes of data of how producers’ Growers’ (NAWG) annual conference held at Commodity Classic in San actual production history is impacted Antonio, Texas. Farm bill priorities, wheat research and quality issues were by these quality issues, and they will all major topics of discussion. need to show how those impacts are felt Several NAWG committees met during the conference, including the not only across the state, but the region Research and Technology Committee, the Environment and Renewable as well. Resources Committee and the Domestic and Trade Policy Committee. The state’s agricultural community, The Domestic and Trade Policy Committee primarily focused on review- including WAWG, is planning a legisla- ing expiring policy resolutions, considering new policies and debating tive tour in early fall that will take place NAWG’s Title 1 and crop insurance priorities in the upcoming farm bill rein the Skagit Valley on the west side of authorization process, as well as trade policy. The committee also discussed the state. One of the board members NAWG’s ongoing work to identify ways to address problems associated with brought up the fact that wheat farm- quality discounts. WAWG Vice President Marci Green sits on this committee. ing on the west side of the state is not representative of wheat farming on the The Environment and Renewable Resources Committee reviewed expir- east side. The board discussed ways ing policy resolutions and new resolutions brought before the committee. they could effectively showcase east- Members participated in a discussion of conservation priorities for the 2018 side wheat farming at the tour, and the Farm Bill, with the states split on their support of the Conservation Reserve suggestion was made to make a virtual Program. The committee, and subsequently the board, approved new resolu- tour video. That suggestion was well tions related to the operation of Natural Resources Conservation Service’s received, and Hennings said she would follow up on it. WAWG lobbyist Diana Carlen called into the meeting and updated board members on the latest news out of Olympia, mainly that the Senate had released their operating budget. According to Carlen, the Senate budget would fund education to a tune of $1.8 billion with no new taxes, but would establish a statewide property tax that would replace local school levies. For more information on the Senate’s budget, see page 18. The meeting wrapped up with a discussion on membership benefits, and how WAWG can reach out to younger Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) President Ben Adams (second from right) sits growers. Currently, members receive on the Environmental and Renewable Resources Committee for the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG). Brett Blankenship (right), a wheat farmer from Washtucna, Wash., and a past a no-cost accidental death benefit president of both NAWG and WAWG, also attended the meetings.

10 WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 The nitrogen you need, when you need it. To push your wheat and barley to higher yields this season, the steady release of nitrogen from CoRoN is there when the time is right. CoRoN Controlled-Release Nitrogen provides a uniform supply of nitrogen for weeks, satisfying your crop’s nutritional needs at critical growth stages. Compared to water-soluble nitrogen solutions, CoRoN remains on the plant much longer, making it a perfect tank mix partner for many crop protection products. To give your crops the nitrogen they need when they need it most, contact your Helena representative for more information on CoRoN.

Controlled-Release Nitrogen

helenachemical.com | Learn more at helenachemical.com, featuring more information on Helena products and services. Always read and follow label directions. Helena, CoRoN and People...Products...Knowledge... are registered trademarks of Helena Holding Company. ©2017 Helena Holding Company. HPG0317 | • WL WAWG AT WORK

conservation programs and exempting conservation payments from System for Award Management (SAM) requirements. WAWG President Ben Adams sits on this committee. The Research and Technology Committee was updated on the status of the National Wheat Yield Contest. Next year’s contest will remain the same as last year’s, with the rules committee considering adding a quality testing component to the contest. After industry partner updates, the committee reviewed all its technology policy resolutions previously approved that were nearing “sunset” status. These resolutions were either renewed or amended if still relevant or left to expire if no longer appropriate. Two new policy resolutions were approved to support research aimed at improving quality assessment around falling numbers (FN). The committee approved resolutions to support genetic research to reduce the risk of FN as well as a resolution to develop a more consistent, reliable testing method. A new slate of NAWG officers was also elected. Kansas farmer David Schemm was elected president; Oklahoma farmer Jimmie Musick was elected vice president; Texas THE FARMERS’ CUT. On average, U.S. farmers received 15.6 cents for farm commodity sales from each dollar spent on domestically farmer Ben Scholz was elected treasurer; Michigan farmer produced food in 2015, down from 17.2 cents in 2014. Known as the David Milligan was elected secretary; and Montana farm share, this amount is at its lowest level since 2006 and coincides farmer Gordon Stoner was elected past president. with a steep drop in 2015 average prices received by U.S. farmers, as measured by the Producer Price Index for farm products. The U.S. Besides Adams and Green, WAWG National Legislation Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service uses input- Committee Chair Nicole Berg; WAWG Secretary/Treasurer output analysis to calculate the farm and marketing shares from a typical food dollar, including food purchased at grocery stores and Jeff Shawver; WAWG Past President Kevin Klein; and at restaurants, coffee shops and other eating out places. 2015 was WAWG Executive Director Michelle Hennings also at- the fourth consecutive year that the farm share has declined, but the tended. 2015 decline was substantially more than in the three previous years. The drop in farm share also coincides with four consecutive years of increases in the share of food dollars paying for services provided by the foodservice industry. Since farmers receive a smaller share from How to help those affected eating out dollars, due to the added costs for preparing and serving meals, more food-away-from-home spending will also drive down by Plains states’ wildfires the farm share. Wide areas of Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas were devastated by wildfires last month. For those affected, the Census of Agriculture. Conducted every five years by Kansas Department of Agriculture has set up a web- the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National site with resources to provide assistance. The page also Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the census, to be includes information for those wishing to help those af- mailed at the end of this year, is a complete count of all fected. Everyone at the Washington Association of Wheat U.S. farms, ranches and those who operate them. Growers sends their thoughts and prayers to all those “The Census of Agriculture remains the only source of affected by the wildfires and encourages people to contrib- uniform, comprehensive and impartial agriculture data ute to the relief efforts in ways they are able. for every county in the nation,” said NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer. “As such, census results are relied upon heavily by those who serve farmers and rural commu- Countdown begins for census nities, including federal, state and local governments, America’s farmers and ranchers will soon have the agribusinesses, trade associations, extension educators, opportunity to strongly represent agriculture in their researchers and farmers and ranchers themselves.” communities and industry by taking part in the 2017 The Census of Agriculture highlights land use and own-

12 WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 B:8.625” T:8.375” S:7.375”

Engineered for cereals. And cereal B:11.125” T:10.875” growers’ success. S:9.875”

If you grow wheat or other cereals, it’s time you and your crops got the attention you deserve. BASF has created a solution engineered for your crops: Nexicor fungicide. This convenient pre-mix formulation starts with robust Plant Health beneﬁ ts, including nitrogen assimilation, increased photosynthesis and stress tolerance. And with its three trusted and proven active ingredients, it provides powerful disease control. Talk to your BASF representative or Authorized Retailer about Nexicor fungicide today.

DIV170025_Nexicor_FP4C_8-375x10-875.indd 1 2/2/17 11:46 AM

File Name DIV170025_Nexicor_FP4C_8-375x10-875.indd File Saved 2-2-2017 11:44 AM InDesign CC 2015 APPROVALS INITIALS DATE Job No. DIV170025 Date 2-2-2017 11:44 AM Page Artist Giovanni Moreno Creative Director Greg B / Dave D NEXICOR FP AD Job Name DIV170025 2017 Nexicor Full Page Ad Fonts: Helvetica Neue LT Std (47 Light Con- Images: Peter_Wong_8HOA1348_RM_exp0819.psd (CMYK; 1679 Client BASF densed, 77 Bold Condensed Oblique, 45 Light, 57 ppi, -1680 ppi), Nexicor_CMYK_White.eps, BASFw_wh100or_4c.ai, AD/Designer Benson H Condensed Oblique) Grow_Smart_With_BASF_CMYK_Black.ai Live/Safety 0.5” x 0.5” Copywriter Greg B Flat/Trim 8.375” x 10.875”

ROUND Bleed 0.125” x 0.125” Layout Designer N/A Folded Size None Gutter None Account Manager Ava P Panel Sizes None 2 Project Manager Maureen

Colors Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black Printed At None Print Producer N/A FONTS USED WITHIN THIS FILE ARE FOR OUTPUT ONLY BY THE END PRINTER/VENDOR. CHANGES TO COPY MAY REQUIRE FONT LICENSING AND PRINTERS/VENDORS ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LICENSING COSTS REQUIRED. WL WAWG AT WORK 䌀伀䔀渀攀爀最礀 ጠ 匀攀爀瘀椀渀最愀氀氀礀漀甀爀昀甀攀氀渀攀攀搀猀

ership, operator characteristics, production practices, in- 䈀䤀䜀匀䄀嘀䤀一䜀匀匀吀伀䌀䬀唀倀一伀圀 come and expenditures and other topics. The 2012 Census of Agriculture revealed that more than 3 million farmers operated more than 2 million farms, spanning more than 914 million acres. This was a four percent decrease in the number of U.S. farms from the previous census in 2007. However, agriculture sales, income and expenses increased between 2007 and 2012. This telling information 䐀䤀䔀匀䔀䰀䔀堀䠀䄀唀匀吀䘀䰀唀䤀䐀伀一匀䄀䰀䔀 and thousands of other agriculture statistics are a direct result of responses to the Census of Agriculture. “Today, when data are so important, there is strength in 䌀愀氀氀甀猀漀爀猀琀漀瀀戀礀漀渀攀漀昀漀甀爀 numbers,” said Hamer. “For farmers and ranchers, par- 挀漀渀瘀攀渀椀攀渀琀氀漀挀愀琀椀漀渀猀昀漀爀洀漀爀攀椀渀昀漀⸀ ticipation in the 2017 Census of Agriculture is their voice, their future, and their opportunity to shape American agriculture—its policies, services and assistance programs— for years to come.” Producers who are new to farming or did not receive a Census of Agriculture in 2012 still have time to sign up to receive the 2017 Census of Agriculture report form by visiting agcensus.usda.gov and clicking on the “Make Sure 䴀漀猀攀猀䰀愀欀攀䄀爀攀愀 You Are Counted” button through June. NASS defines a 㔀㤀ⴀ㜀㜀 ⴀ 㜀㘀㤀 farm as any place from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the census year (2017). For more information about the 2017 Census of Agriculture and to see how census data are used, visit agcensus.usda.gov. Webinar available for RCPP Washington application assistance Wheat The U.S. Department of Agriculture will be hold- Foundation ing a webinar on April 5 from 2-3:30 p.m. EST to help potential applicants with their Regional Conservation Annex Partnership Program (RCPP) preproposals. The webinar will introduce participants to the Natural Resources (in Ritzville, Wash.) Conservation Service (NRCS) and its programs, discuss Rental Includes: the RCPP, requirements and offer best practices for project Seats 100 • Full service kitchen • Wi-Fi applications. Free coffee and tea • Pull out wall divider Through this fourth RCPP Announcement for Program 2 large screens • Free parking Funding, NRCS will award up to $252 million to locally 18 x 22 lobby to gather or serve buffet driven, public-private partnerships that improve the na- Separate board meeting room (seats 12) tion’s water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability. $50 (0-4 hours) or $100 (4+ hours) Applicants must match or exceed the federal award with private or local funds. Contact Chauna Carlson at the Washington Wheat Foundation rental line Visit the NRCS website at nrcs.usda.gov to learn more about the webinar series and to RSVP. Project pre-applica- (509) 659-1987 tions are due on or before April 21, 2017.

14 WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 Get on Target with

Oﬀ Target 74 Feet from Applicaaon Dicamba Injury 6 Feet from Applicaaon X No Injury

AMS + NIS

AgraSyst has Soluuons for Volaulity and Drii Reducuon

--All in One Jug!

For more informaaon about Full Load Complete, visit our website: www.agrasyst.com POLICY MATTERS WAWG advocates for farm House committee holds hearing bill hearing in Washington on state carbon tax proposal Last month, the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) sent a letter to Rep. Michael By Diana Carlen Conaway (R-Texas), the chairman of the House WAWG Lobbyist Committee on Agriculture, asking him to consider The state House Environment Committee held a hear- holding a farm bill field hearing in Washington state. ing in mid-March to discuss another legislative proposal “The time is drawing near to determine the to impose a carbon tax in Washington state. This proposal program needs of the next farm bill. In order to is supported by the Alliance for Jobs and Clean Energy hear from the growers themselves, we are writing and sponsored by Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon (D-West Seattle). to urge you to include a farm bill field hearing at The alliance consists of environmental organizations, labor Washington State University’s campus located in and social justice groups. More than 60 people signed in to Pullman, Wash. Farm bill titles including research, testify, filling three public hearing rooms. commodities and trade are essential to the survival HB 1646 would impose a $15 tax on fossil fuels and of Washington farm families, especially in the eco- electricity beginning on July 1, 2018. The tax would increase nomic times we are experiencing. Smart spending, annually by 7 percent plus inflation until 2047, unless the coupled with effective title programs, are key to a Washington State Department of Ecology determines that successful farm bill, and a field hearing is an excel- the sources of emissions covered by the tax have achieved lent opportunity to continue the conversation,” the or come close to achieving the combined share of emissions letter said. reductions needed for the state to achieve the 2020, 2035 Washington’s wheat growers produced nearly 160 and 2050 greenhouse gas emission limits. The bill would million bushels on 2.2 million acres this past year. also enact much more aggressive emission reduction targets The Washington wheat industry provides $2.3 bil- of 40 percent below 1990 levels in 2035 and 80 percent below lion dollars in direct and indirect economic benefits 1990 levels by 2050. while supporting more than 11,000 jobs. As a whole, According to the bill’s preliminary fiscal note, the tax is Washington’s agricultural industry produces more expected to generate nearly $1 billion in revenue during the than 300 commodities and supports 36,000 farms 2017-2019 biennium, $2.37 billion in 2019-2021, and $2.7 bil- producing more than $10 billion in market value crops and livestock. Washington state is an agricul- lion in 2021-2023. Unlike Gov. Inslee’s proposed carbon tax, tural export gateway with more than $7.8 billion in the revenues would not be partially directed to education exported value-added food and ag products. funding. Instead, most of that revenue would go toward funding clean energy projects. Other portions of that The letter continued “…The wheat commu- revenue would fund a variety of state programs, including nity forms the foundation of much of Eastern a low-income carbon tax grant program for state residents, Washington’s rural agricultural economy, and it is water infrastructure and forest health restoration projects. facing some difficult times right now. Prices are low, and weather, quality and disease challenges are Fuels used for agricultural purposes are exempt from devastating wheat growers’ ability to deliver an af- paying the tax until July 1, 2039. fordable, nutritious product to consumers. Drought, While environmental groups, labor and social justice rust, falling numbers and low commodity prices groups testified in support of the bill, business interests, remain a hurdle to overcome and requires strong including manufacturers and agriculture, opposed the bill, research, commodity and trade programs to meet saying it will have a negative impact on the state’s business the challenge.” climate. The Washington Association of Wheat Growers All the members of Washington state’s federal signed in opposed to the bill. delegation also received copies of the letter.

16 WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 YOUR FARM TIRE HEADQUARTERS

FARM TIRES • FORKLIFT TIRES ATV • TRUCK • AG BATTERIES

LES SCHWAB CARRIES BATTERIES FOR ALL YOUR AGRICULTURAL APPLICATIONS!

NO PAYMENTS! TRACKS BUILT FOR LES SCHWAB COUNTRY NO INTEREST! 16”-36” WIDTHS FOR SPECIAL PAYMENT TERMS ON ALL MAKES: TRACTOR TIRES (OAC) IF PAID IN JOHN DEERE, WE ALSO CARRY RUBBER CASE, CAT & TRACKS FOR MINI-EXCAVATORS FULL ON OR BEFORE JUNE 15, 2017 AGCO & SKID STEER MACHINES.

24-HOUR ON-THE-FARM SERVICE

OVER 470 STORES THROUGHOUT THE WEST! WWW.LESSCHWAB.COM WL POLICY MATTERS

use nonlethal actions to minimize livestock loss from State Senate budget earmarks wolves and other carnivores. The department must also support the wolf advisory group in continuing to $1.8 billion to fund education resolve conflicts between livestock producers, hunters By Diana Carlen and wolf population recovery efforts. WAWG Lobbyist • Washington State Conservation Commission. The Washington State Senate passed their proposed op- Approximately $7.6 million of the public works assis- erating budget for the 2017-2019 biennium by a vote of 25- tance account is provided solely for implementation of 24 on March 24. The budget spends a total of $43.0 billion the Voluntary Stewardship Program. and adds an additional $1.8 billion in education funding to • Washington State University. Ninety thousand dol- comply with the McCleary decision. lars of the general fund for fiscal years 2018 and 2019 Unlike Gov. Inslee’s proposed budget, the Senate are provided solely for a rural economic development budget does not raise new taxes such as a carbon tax. and outreach coordinator. Nearly $580,000 of the gen- However, it does rework the state property eral fund for fiscal years 2018 and 2019 are provided tax to replace local property tax lev- solely for the development of an organic agriculture ies. Here are some of the highlights: systems degree program located at the university center in Everett. • Water. The Senate budget references E2SSB 5239 (the bill sponsored by The budget summary can be found at leap.leg.wa.gov/ Republican Senators Doug Ericksen leap/Budget/Detail/2017/soSummary_0321.pdf. The House was expected to release their proposed operating and Judy Warnick) dealing with budget the last week of March. the Hirst/Foster cases dealing with exempt wells and mitigation. The Washington State Department of Ecology is appropriated $15 million Trump budget would reduce of the general fund for fiscal year 2018 and $15 million for fiscal year USDA funding by 21 percent 2019 for activities within the water In mid-March, the White House released its “skinny” resources program. budget, a sort of wish-list of spending requests for • The Washington State Department of Natural Congress, that increases defense spending and cuts many Resources. The budget provides $1.4 million of the domestic programs, including a 21 percent reduction in general fund for fiscal year 2018 and $1.3 million of the the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) discretionary general fund for fiscal year 2019 for deposit into the funding, a decrease of $4.7 billion. agricultural college trust management account and is While details are scarce, it is believed that the National provided solely to manage approximately 70,700 acres Agricultural Statistics Service and USDA Service Center of Washington State University’s agricultural college Agencies, including the Farm Service Agency, the Natural trust lands. About $16.5 million of the general fund for Resources Conservation Service and Rural Development, fiscal years 2018 and 2019 are provided solely for emer- would be targeted. The budget fully funds wildland fire gency fire suppression. The general funds provided in preparedness and suppression activities and supports this subsection may not be used to fund the depart- farmer-focused research and extension partnerships at ment’s indirect and administrative expenses. land-grant universities. This budget does not address • The Washington State Department of Fish and mandatory spending for crop insurance, SNAP or Title 1 Wildlife (DFW). Approximately $1.6 million of the farm programs. general fund for fiscal years 2018 and 2019 are pro- “We will continue to advocate for agriculture and vided solely for payments in lieu of real property work to ensure that important farm bill programs are not taxes to counties that elect to receive the payments for subject to spending cuts or limitations. The agricultural department-owned game lands within the county. community has already done its part in reducing the fed- Approximately $725,000 of the general fund for fiscal eral budget through sequestration and the savings gener- year 2018 and $725,000 of the general fund for fiscal ated by the 2014 Farm Bill,” said Washington Association year 2019 are provided solely for DFW to enter into of Wheat Growers (WAWG) President Ben Adams. “It cost-sharing contracts with livestock producers to was gratifying, however, to see that this administration

18 WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 THIS IS

THIS IS YOUR YOUR GRAIN GRAIN. ONBUGS.

Protected with Diacon®-D IGR Unprotected wheat after 150 days of insect infestation*

Keep Wheat and Barley Neat with Diacon®-D IGR

Is there anyone out there who still isn’t clear about what insects do to your grains? From causing discount penalties to rendering grains altogether inedible, infestations make a verifiable economic impact. Diacon®-D IGR is a ready-to-use solution for protecting wheat, barley and other grains in a variety of storage sites. This dry formulation is an insect growth regulator that stops larval development that is ideal for water challenged situations.

Make sure your grains stay clean with Diacon®-D IGR. Call 800.248.7763 or visit BugFreeGrains.com to learn more.

*In laboratory setting

Always read and follow label directions. Diacon and Diacon with design are trademarks of Wellmark International. Central Life Sciences with design is a registered trademark of Central Garden & Pet Company. ©2017 Wellmark International. WL POLICY MATTERS

recognizes and supports the importance of agricultural and echoes the sentiments of the House Agriculture research.” Committee’s annual budget and views and estimates letter A more detailed budget is expected to be released this to the House Budget Committee. Stressing the financial spring by the White House, but in the end, Congress will pressures on farmers, low commodity prices and high ultimately decide what 2018 funding looks like through costs of production, the groups support writing the 2018 the appropriations process. Farm Bill based on the clear need for a stronger farm safety net and more resources for key priorities. “Our farmers and ranchers are already struggling through low commodity prices, natural disasters and The House and Senate agriculture committees are in the the increased cost of inputs,” said Nicole Berg, chair of process of reviewing the 2014 Farm Bill through a series WAWG’s National Legislation Committee. “Any reduction of hearings in D.C. and across the country. NAWG will to crop insurance or the farm bill programs takes another be fully engaged with the Agriculture, Appropriations tool out of our toolbox and makes it harder for us to con- and Budget committees during the farm bill develop- tinue our livelihood.” ment process to ensure that wheat grower policy interests are clearly articulated, and growers are well represented Of all the departments that would be cut in the White throughout the discussions. House’s budget, the Environmental Protection Agency would be hit the hardest with a 31 percent reduction in funding. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is responsible for maintaining the dams on the Columbia- Diverse group asks Congress Snake River System, would see a reduction of $1 billion. to back crop insurance From Farm Policy Facts Nation celebrates agriculture A group of 59 wildlife, environmental, agricultural Ag got called out by the White House recently when and farm credit advocates sent letters to Congress in President Trump proclaimed March 21 the 44th an- mid-March asking officials to back crop insurance during nual National Agriculture Day. According to the U.S. budget debates. Department of Agriculture, American ag is the largest “We respectfully urge you to protect crop insurance and positive contributor to our nation’s net trade balance, pro- recognize its central importance to farmers, lenders and all viding 10 percent of our exports and millions of jobs. The of rural America,” the group said in letters. average American farmer feeds approximately 144 people. Advocates signing the letters include American Farm “It’s great to see agriculture celebrated and appreci- Bureau Federation, National Farmers Union, Ducks ated across the U.S.,” said Michelle Hennings, executive Unlimited, Farm Credit Council, Independent Community director of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers. Bankers of America, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation “Our dedicated farmers and ranchers work long hours, Partnership and numerous commodity organizations. battling bad weather, low prices and sometimes crippling regulations, to raise the best crops they can. Many of our The group sent letters to members of the House and wheat farmers are working on land that their family has Senate budget committee, appropriations committee, farmed for more than 100 years. They take tremendous then-Agriculture Secretary-Designate Sonny Perdue and pride in protecting their land and the environment while Director Mick Mulvaney of the Office of Management and producing affordable, nutritious food for the world.” Budget. The letters reminded officials that the 2014 Farm Bill placed greater emphasis on risk management than previous farm bills, which protects the American taxpayer. Calls for more resources Farmers spend about $4 billion a year of their own money to purchase insurance from the private sector, in developing next farm bill the letters explained. Farmers must have documented losses of almost 30 percent, on average, before insurance From NAWG coverage kicks in. Crop insurance enables producers to The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) customize policies to fit individual farm and financial joined 16 other agriculture organizations in voicing sup- needs. Modern crop insurance, with an emphasis on risk port for sufficient financial resources to write the next management, has replaced ad hoc disaster bills, which farm bill. A joint letter was sent to House and Senate were paid for entirely by taxpayers and not delivered in a leaders of the Budget and Appropriations committees timely manner.

20 WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 www.edwardjones.com

Taking Control Of Your Legacy

Many people think estate planning is only for the wealthy. But the fact is most everyone can benefit from some sort of estate strategy to help ensure the things most important to them–Family, Financial Assets, Property and Charities–are taken care of according to their wishes.

We believe the key components of a successful estate strategy include:

PLAN FOR THE EXPECTED we have PREPARE FOR THE UNEXPECTED your POSITION YOUR PORTFOLIO FOR BOTH solution It’s important that we work with your professional team, including your estate planning attorney and tax professional Start cropS Strong with to help you through this process. proven Seed treatment productS from nufarm Edward Jones, it’s employees and financial advisors are not estate planners and cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your estate planning attorney or qualified tax advisor – including – regarding your situation.

To learn more about why Edward Jones makes sense for you, call or visit today.

Joy Behen Hank Worden Greg Bloom Mike Wallace Financial Advisor Financial Advisor Financial Advisor Financial Advisor 6115 Burden Blvd., Ste. A 109 S. Second Ave Professional Mall I I 1721 W. Kennewick Ave. Ste. 2C Pasco, WA 99301 Walla Walla, WA 99362 1260 SE Bishop Blvd. Ste. C Kennewick, WA 99336 509-542-1626 509-529-9900 Pullman, WA 99163 509-582-3611 877-542-1626 800-964-3558 509-332-1564 877-582-3611 learn how we can help you grow a better tomorrow. . nufarm.com/usst

Jay Mlazgar AAMS ® Chris Grover AAMS ® Brian E. Bailey AAMS ® Ryan Brault CFP ® Terry A. Sliger Financial Advisor Financial Advisor Financial Advisor Financial Advisor Financial Advisor 609 S. Washington 1835 First Street 303 Bridge Street Ste 3 3616 W. Court St. Ste. I 1329 Aaron Drive Ste. 203 Cheney, WA 99004 Clarkston, WA 99403 Pasco, WA 99301 Richland, WA 99352 Moscow, ID 83843 509-235-4920 509-758-8731 509-545-8121 509-943-2920 208-882-1234 866-235-4920 866-758-9595 888-545-8126 888-943-2920

Member SIPC

WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 21 2017 Bringing world-class information and research directly to growers. Presented by AMMO, a program of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers

R.S.V.P. to the WAWG oce by April 12th 509.659.0610

First 100 to R.S.V.P. will receive a FREE 2.5 gallon container of RoundUp, sponsored by AgLink, Helena Chemical and Syngenta. Random prize drawings will be held throughout Wheat College the day, sponsored by Dow AgroSciences and Albaugh, LLC. With featured speaker: Greg Kruger and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Pesticide Application Technology Lab, equipped with state-of-the-art greenhouse and wind tunnels. In cooperation Thursday, April 27 with Washington State University, additional topics will include: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. • Pesticide drift Three Rivers Convention Center • Herbicide resistance 7016 West Grandridge Blvd. • Worker Protection Standards Kennewick, WA 99336

Lunch is included. You do not need to be a WAWG member to attend. Pesticide Credits will be o ered. Watch for a full session outline in Event sponsored by the Washington Grain Commission an upcoming Wheat Life edition! 2017 Bringing world-class information and research directly to growers. Presented by AMMO, a program of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers

R.S.V.P. to the WAWG oce by April 12th 509.659.0610

Lunch is included. You do not need to be a WAWG member to attend. Pesticide Credits will be o ered. Watch for a full session outline in Event sponsored by the Washington Grain Commission an upcoming Wheat Life edition! PMS 139 Working to advance the small grains industry by building support for programs and activities that increase public awareness of farming.

PMS 114 SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO TWO WSU STUDENTS Calendar: One of the building blocks of the Washington Wheat Foundation’s mission is education of the wheat industry. To that end, the Foundation awards scholarships to fuel that education Washington Wheat and outreach. Foundation meeting The Michael and Linda Schrag Agricultural Education Scholarship is for college juniors June 5 at the Wheat and seniors who have declared agricultural education as their major and maintained a mini- Foundation Building mum 3.0 GPA during their college years. Maya Wahl, a Lind High School graduate, a former in Ritzville, Wash. Washington Wheat Ambassador and a 2014/15 Washington FFA State Secretary with a cu- June Shoot June 14 at mulative GPA of 3.78 at Washington State University (WSU), is Landt Farms in Nine the recipient of this year’s $1,000 Schrag Scholarship. Mile Falls, Wash. Maya is majoring in agricultural education Washington Wheat at WSU and is the vice president of Foundation Meeting the WSU Ag Ed Club. Sept. 11 at the Wheat PMS BLACK “Over the years, I’ve developed a Foundation Building passion for agriculture. I love being a part of the in Ritzville, Wash. industry and have learned tremendous amounts through my experiences on our family farm, FFA Washington Wheat and college. I have immersed myself in the world of Foundation Meeting agriculture and fully intend on improving the industry. I Nov. 10 at The will take a unique approach on agricultural education so that Davenport Grand my students will be excited and interested in agriculture and what it has to Hotel in Spokane, $ offer. I want the future of agriculture to be in the hands of creative, enthusiastic Wash. youth with bright ideas and capable minds, and I will ensure this by being an Reminders: effective educator to the students in America,” she said. • Like the National The $1,500 Washington Wheat Foundation Scholarship is also for college juniors and Wheat Foundation seniors. Preference for this scholarship is given to promising students with a rural and/ Facebook page. or agricultural background who are pursuing a career in agricultural communications, • Remember the agribusiness economics and management or agribusiness and technology systems and have Foundation in your a family member in the farming industry. This year’s Wheat Foundation Scholarship winner charitable giving. Go Gunner Vanderbilt is . Gunner hails from Connell High School and maintains a 3.18 GPA to wawheat.org to at WSU while being active in Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, WSU’s Agriculture Technology find out more about Club and intramural sports. He’s majoring in agriculture technology and production ways that you can management. support your industry. “...As far as career interests go, I want to be a farm manager, a field manager, a crop production manager, any position that means I am farming. Someday, I would love to have a • Visit and share the small farm of my own. I aspire to be a part of an industry that revolutionizes the agricultural new “Let’s Grow industry. With today’s technology and the education of many graduates with agricultural Together” blog and degrees, the agricultural industry could experience innovation like never before, when the Facebook page. world needs it most, too. To have an education from Washington State University, such a well-renowned agricultural school, is a huge advantage in accomplishing my aspirations,” Washington Wheat he said. Foundation P.O. Box 252 We congratulate and are pleased to award and acknowledge these fine students on their Ritzville, WA 99169 past, present and future contributions to the agricultural industry. (509) 659-1987 wawheat.org

24 WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 SeedingSeeding andand TillageTillage EquipmentEquipment

Turbo-Max® With New Turbo-SeederTM Vertical Tillage & Seeding In One Pass!

• Easy to Install Seeding Attachment to Turbo-Max • Plant Cover Crops And Small Grains • Available For 2400, 3000, and 3500 Turbo-Max • Includes Ladder and Walkboard For Safe Access

NEW!

Max-ChiselTM Excellent Seedbed Prep Nutri-Pro® Systems Precision Application 7000 Series Disk Harrow 1006NT No-Till Compact Drill

3S-4010 HD No-Till Drill 3P-3025AH 30’ Stack-Fold Planter 16 Bar Flex Harrow 3S-5000 HD 50’ Min-Till Drill

Introducing the New X-PRESSTM Compact Disc Harrow • Adjustable Disc Angle • High Speed Shallow Cultivation • Has Finishing Packing System • Trailed or Mounted Models

For these implements and many more, contact your local Great Plains dealer. FARM & HOME SUPPLY CENTRAL MACHINERY SALES WASHINGTON TRACTOR, INC. Pomeroy, WA — 509-843-3395 Moses Lake, WA — 509-765-1257 Yakima, WA — 509-452-2880

WALTER IMPLEMENT, INC. FARM EQUIPMENT HEADQUARTERS MORROW COUNTY GRAIN GROWERS Odessa, WA — 509-982-2644 Pendleton, OR — 541-276-6222 Wasco, OR — 800-824-7185

WASHINGTON TRACTOR, INC. CENTRAL MACHINERY SALES WASHINGTON TRACTOR, INC. Quincy, WA — 509-787-4553 Pasco, WA — 509-547-8920 Ellensburg, WA — 509-962-6801

MORROW COUNTY GRAIN GROWERS CENTRAL MACHINERY SALES Lexington, OR — 800-452-7396 Sunnyside, WA — 509-837-3833

WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 25 WL FEATURE

A hungry horde Wildlife (WDFW) is the state agency that manages the Farmers in Asotin County search for solutions to elk problem | By Trista Crossley - - area’s elk herd and works with farmers when the animals For most Eastern Washington wheat farmers, the pests - cause problems. Growers say most local WDFW employ they have to worry about tend to be small, if not micro ees understand the issue and are trying to work with scopic. For farmers in Asotin County, those pests are com them, but frustration levels are rising, and the growers feel ing in on four legs, weighing hundreds of pounds, and the not enough is being done. - options for dealing with them are limited. “They (the local WDFW employees) want to help, I think Elk aren’t new to the Cloverland and Anatone ridge ar for the most part, but sometimes the system moves pretty eas of Asotin County; they’ve been in the Blue Mountains slowly. That’s where frustration comes in,” explained for decades, and farmers occasionally had problems with Bruce Petty, a wheat farmer whose family has farmed on them, especially in fields near timber. But for the past Cloverland for more than 130 years. “It’s hard to relate to six or seven years, farmers have had groups numbering folks that have never had to deal with this situation what in the hundreds moving through their land and fences, a detriment it is. If you had a raccoon or a rat infestation, trampling plants and eating acres of canola and other rotational crops. The Washington Department of Fish and FEATURE WL

Elk don’t generally graze on wheat if other crops are available, so most of the damage is done when the animals you’d call an exterminator or get traps and take care of cross winter wheat fields searching for more desirable - them. In this scenario, we don’t have that option. When it’s forage, such as canola, oats or hay, or linger in one spot. your livelihood, it’s hard not to take it personally and get When the ground is frozen, the damage is usually mini wound up.” mal, but on soft, unfrozen ground, a herd of elk can leave The problem a mess. The elk generally start descending on Cloverland in The WDFW district office that covers Asotin County large numbers around the first of the year and leave about said that in 2016 they counted approximately 769 elk in mid-April, depending on weather. Petty said he doesn’t the game management unit that includes the area west usually see elk groups with fewer than 50 animals, but of Cloverland and Anatone ridges. In 2015 there were 908 groups of 200 to 250 aren’t uncommon. Mark Greene, and in 2014, there were 989. another farmer on Cloverland, said this past winter, his The first year Petty had significant elk damage was in wife stopped counting at 400 while watching an elk group 2011. cross one of their fields. “A group of about 300 came in and absolutely wrecked Just east of Cloverland Ridge, across the George Creek a field of bushy, good-looking wheat,” he said. “I about drainage, is Anatone Ridge. The elk start to show up there puked when I saw it.” in April and will linger through August. Brad Forgey, a fifth-generation wheat farmer and cattle rancher on Winter wheat can recover from a herd of elk passing Anatone, said he usually sees the animals in groups as small as 20 and as large as 100.

In February, approximately 300 head of elk tore their way through a field of Mark Greene’s winter canola (background photo), leaving more than 130 acres bare and pocked with hoof prints. A corner of the field (above) was left untouched by the animals, demonstrating what the entire field should look like. WL FEATURE

through, but often suffers lower yields due to thinner stands or an increased susceptibility to disease from plant and/ or root damage. Where elk might pass over wheat as a grazing choice, canola is almost guar- anteed to catch their attention. Greene, who took over his uncle’s Cloverland farm in 2006, has been trying to introduce canola into his wheat rotations. He first had extensive canola damage in 2013. “You would have thought I was out there and rototilled the field. That crop came back, but it didn’t produce what it was capable of,” he said. While wheat might survive being chomped on by elk because the crown is underneath the ground, in canola, the crown is above Asotin County grower Brad Forgey lives in the Anatone Ridge area. He lost his first field of oats to elk in ground. If the crown is damaged by 2000. repeated grazing, the plant usually dies. more years of losing oats to the elk, he decided to try That’s what happened to one of Greene’s canola fields in something different, alfalfa. 2015, which ended up being almost a total loss. He is wor- ried that the same thing will happen this year in one field “They love that,” he said. “They would hide in timber that has been repeatedly visited by elk. He won’t know the during the day, come into the field at night and be gone extent of the damage until it warms up. before light. They pull it (the seedlings) out by the roots For Forgey, his introduction to the destructive power of and just wipe it out. While doing all of that, they’ll come elk was in 2000 when he lost a field of oats. After several through a wheat field to get to that choice ground, and you’ll have a 2-foot wide trail of wheat that is down and gone.” Many farmers rotate wheat with other crops to improve soil, increase yields and mitigate disease. In recent years, the Natural Resources Conservation Service has encouraged farmers to consider cover crops and alternative crops. Petty said he would like to try that, but with the elk problem, it could be a big risk. “Some of those alternate crops have the potential to be profitable,” he said. “I know some of my neighbors would like to try garbs, but not with elk around. Elk like canola, but they go crazy for garbs. You’d just be setting yourself up.” Ground compaction, damage to fences and depleted salt feeders are some of the other problems growers have encoun- tered due to large elk groups moving through their fields. Asotin County growers Mark Greene (left) and Bruce Petty have seen first hand how destructive elk can be to winter wheat and canola fields, not to mention fences.

28 WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 A Better Weigh to Measure

• Semi-Truck Platform Scales • Portable Platform Scales available in 4 std. sizes ARE WIREWORMS • Livestock Scales • Seed Tender GETTING THE BEST OF Scales • Multi-Purpose YOUR WHEAT CROP? Scales • Cake Feeder Albaugh is excited to introduce the Scales First Biological Seed Treatment for • Grain Cart Scales enhanced wireworm protection • APP-Based Wireless System • Seed Tender & Grain Cart Apps • Get the Free Central City Scale App from the App Store

Grain Cart Scales iForeman connects Manage Feed to Smart Phones and Tablets Mixing and Rations with Also Available Phone or Entry Level 640M Tablet with 100 Channel with Libra Albaugh’s Goal is to Deliver Value: Memory TMR wireless 1. The Albaugh Seed Treatment Technology Team is excited to launch BIOST™ GT 460 with Autolog technology the First Complete Biological Seed Treatment Platform 2. BIOST™ Insecticide 100 is the ﬁ rst Biological Seed Treatment that has proven efﬁ cacy against wireworms 3. BIOST™ Insecticide 100 when combined with Resonate™ brand insecticides provides superior wireworm suppression vs neonic insecticides used alone

® Contact your local seed retailer for more information on BIOST™ Insecticide 100

Refer to the product label for complete use directions and instructions. BIOST™ and Resonate™ are trademarks of Albaugh, LLC. ccscales.com • 308.946.3591 Always use and follow label directions EPA Reg. No. 84059-14-42750 AD No. 100616 2403 26th Ave. • Central City, NE 68826 [email protected]

WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 29 WL FEATURE

Where did they come from? Reserve Program. The department the game doesn’t like it, so they seek also stopped grazing livestock on it. nicer stuff, and that’s our crops.” In 2005, the WDFW bought out Forgey pointed to that lack of graz- the Schlee Ranch on Smoothing Iron Wolf sightings in the Blue ing as one reason for the increased Ridge, just west of Cloverland and Mountains have been increasing elk presence. Anatone ridges. The Schlee family in the past few years, and pressure grew wheat and hay and ran cattle “Grazing and game go hand in from predators is another possible on their ground. When WDFW took hand. The game likes to graze pas- reason for the appearance of the elk, over, only a small portion stayed ture that cows go through,” he said. said some farmers. Greene recalled a as active farm ground, while most “Fish and Wildlife doesn’t graze situation from last year when he and of it went into the Conservation much ground. The grass gets old, the local WDFW enforcement officer

Balancing the needs of wildlife between public, private concerns By Trista Crossley long-term solutions based on this year’s unusually harsh While Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s winter, including the idea of a feeding program. He said (WDFW) Stephen Pozzanghera that is a discussion the department needs to have, and acknowledges there are conflicts it’s not something that can be implemented at a mo- between elk and landowners in ment’s notice. Starting to feed elk and deer too far into Asotin County, he describes it as a winter does not help since they need time to adjust to a distribution problem, rather than change in diet. a population problem. Besides a feeding program, building an elk fence “If you think about the Blue is another solution WDFW has talked about. All the Mountains as an overall ecosys- options, Pozzanghera said, have costs associated with tem, I think what you’ll hear from them that go far beyond the initial expense, such as a population standpoint is that we maintenance of the fence or hiring new employees like where the Blue Mountain herd is as a whole. What to manage a feeding program. Grazing and targeted we have in the Cloverland area is a distribution prob- timber harvest on wildlife areas and forest lands to lem. We know that elk are not scattered across the land- improve elk habitat are being used, but can be subject to scape evenly, so because of landowners in ag businesses public misunderstanding. and attractive crops close to both the wildlife area and “I think we have to do a better job of educating the the U.S. Forest Service’s National Forest, we have a public about why they may see cows in a wildlife area,” distribution problem,” he said, adding that the distribu- he said, adding that having informational signs to tion problem was made worse this winter by significant explain why the livestock is there and how wildlife and snow depths that pushed elk onto private land. grazing can be compatible would help educate the pub- Pozzanghera is the director of WDFW’s region 1, an lic. “We aren’t there to produce livestock, but where live- area that encompasses the 10 eastern-most counties in stock are compatible with Fish and Wildlife values, and Washington where the department owns or manages where livestock can be grazed on department lands, we nearly 114,000 acres. The department is charged with are looking for those opportunities.” protecting and preserving wildlife for the public, and it One of the complaints leveled against WDFW by has to adhere to that mission while still working with growers in Asotin County is that the department is landowners to resolve conflicts. dismissing their concerns or not taking them very seri- “We cannot sustain a public that does not support ously. Pozzanghera quickly objected to that idea, saying wildlife, so we very much need private landholders to that they are well aware of the issues and have been for embrace wildlife, to support wildlife. These animals do some time. not know boundaries, and so we have to create this re- “I think our field response has been appropriate, and lationship with private landowners where we can work I think locally, the staff has done an excellent job of together. When wildlife comes in conflict with those responding to the situation as well as keeping me, keep- individuals, we have to be responsive,” he explained. ing their supervisors informed. There is a lot of commu- Pozzanghera cautioned against implementing costly, nication on this issue,” he said.

30 WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 FEATURE WL tried to scare a herd of elk off Greene’s land, across Asotin “The idea is we will pop a few elk, and they’ll get fright- Creek and back onto state game land. ened and go away. To an extent that is correct, but they get “Those animals wouldn’t go,” he said. “It solidified the used to it,” Petty explained. “What it really does is make idea to me that there is something over there. If you read them nocturnal as bats. It sounds like it should work, but research on wolves, the vast majority of it says wolves and it doesn’t seem to be totally working. It’s not hurting, but elk won’t commingle. The elk will leave.” it’s not the answer.” Solutions Knowledge - Experience - Dedication In an effort to help mitigate the damage caused by elk, GO WITH EXPERIENCE! WDFW issues up to two kill permits a year to each land- We Have Over 100 Years of Combined Ag Experience owner in the area. The tags are issued in late June/early - We sell and manage farms and ranches and have an extensive July and are good through the following mid-February. If list of cash buyers - Do you need to know the current value of your farm or ranch? landowners are still having elk problems, they can apply - Do you need a current market evaluation? for a depredation tag. While the kill permits don’t require Dayton WA Walla Walla WA a hunting license or fees, depredation tags do. In addition, 254 E Main St. 317 N. Colville St. a landowner can only use one depredation tag; any others 509-382-2020 509-524-9055 View our farm listings at: bluemountainrealtors.com must be used by other people. Last year in Asotin County, 47 kill permits and 8 depredation tags were issued, and 22 were filled. In 2015, 40 were issued and 17 were filled.

Mark Grant, left and Blaine Bickelhaupt

As experienced farm real estate experts, 䌀愀氀氀昀漀爀挀甀猀琀漀洀猀攀攀搀椀渀最 we have established this partnership to manage farm and ranch properties in 愀瘀愀椀氀愀戀椀氀椀琀礀琀栀椀猀猀瀀爀椀渀最 both Washington and Idaho.

BLAINE BICKELHAUPT MARK GRANT 317 N. Colville St. [email protected] [email protected] Walla Walla WA 圀圀圀⸀匀䔀䔀䐀䴀䄀匀吀䔀刀⸀䌀䄀圀圀圀⸀匀䔀䔀䐀䴀䄀匀吀䔀刀⸀䌀䄀 509-520-5280 509-520-1906 509-524-9056 䬀䔀嘀䤀一䬀䰀䔀䤀一 ⠀㔀㤀⤀㘀㔀 ⴀ㜀㌀㜀 northwestfarmland.com

TANKERS IN STOCK • Proven, two-piece barrel design with a single circumferential seam • Industry’s widest sheet material minimizes barrel seams • Designed for ease of operation and simple maintenance Your One-Stop Tanker Shop In the Northwest Parts • Sales • Service

Tank Model Shown: 7,000 Gallon 2-Compartment Tank 1206 E. Lytle Street • Pasco, WA • 509-545-4600 Deep Drop Stainless Steel Trailer

WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 31 WL FEATURE

A fence is little hinderance to a 500-pound animal. While elk will jump (Top) Hoofprints and a severely nibbled plant are what’s left in a canola fences, many times, they’ll simply go straight through them, causing field owned by Asotin County farmer Mark Greene. Elk came through this damage like this to a fence along Cloverland Road next to Mark Greene’s field in February. (Above) Greene cuts open what’s left of a canola plant canola field. Elk did this damage in February. after the crown had been eaten by elk.

Greene agreed, saying when he first started using his harvest by comparing the yield to a producer’s production kill tags, the elk would stay away for a week or 10 days. guarantee. If a field is damaged early enough in the year, Now, they might move 100 yards away, but they won’t and an adjustor determines the loss qualifies, a farmer can leave. use crop insurance to cover replanting costs. Crop insur- For the guys on Anatone Ridge, the kill tags are less ance doesn’t cover damage to fences. useful for another reason. In their area, the elk are around “Usually the losses that you take from elk aren’t enough during the hottest part of the summer, which makes it to trigger crop insurance, so if you lose 10 percent of your much more work to kill and dress a 500 pound animal. field, it won’t trigger crop insurance, but it lowers your “Nobody wants to harvest an elk when it is 100 degrees. bushel average for next year, and you’ve lost that grain. We just haze them,” Forgey explained. He added that in WDFW likes to tell the public that we are insured, but we the last few years, his tags have gone unfilled. “On one really aren’t. Farmers don’t like to have to use our insur- hand, they (WDFW) are saying that this is my compen- ance,” Forgey said. sation, but I haven’t been compensated for four or five Farmers can also file an insurance claim with WDFW, years.” but the damages have to be at least $1,000, and it only cov- The local WDFW employee who helps manage conflicts ers crops, not fences. Damages are also capped at $10,000 between wildlife and landowners acknowledged that (with some exceptions), and claims are designed to fill in harsh winters, there are problems with elk damaging in gaps left by a farmer’s federal crop insurance policy. crops. He explained that while elk usually respond to a Petty said the process of filing a WDFW claim is tedious member of their herd getting shot by running off, hunger and time consuming, and there has been confusion in the can override that instinct. past about the ability to file a claim if a kill tag has been accepted. Crop insurance can kick in to help a producer who has a loss due to wildlife damage, as it is one of the perils Other solutions the farmers wish WDFW would con- covered in a standard policy, but the damage is tallied at sider include:

32 WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 • Re-examine how WDFW manages state lands and consider allowing grazing to happen on some of it. In Asotin County alone, the state owns nearly 10 percent of the county’s land. • Consider growing hay on the former Schlee Ranch and feeding it to the elk in the winter. WDFW has been experiment- ing with planting about 200 acres of canola and other crops on Smoothing Iron Ridge in an attempt to entice the elk to stay put, but the AgroLiquid Offers longer the snow lingers, the more PNDSA Members a Rebate on likely the elk are to venture onto farmland. The district also tried a High-Efficiency Crop Nutrients pilot grazing program in the mid- Public scrutiny, consumer demand, corporate 2000s, but it was quickly shut down transparency, and high production agriculture seldom align. The by environmental groups. Other pressures upon the American farmer are often unfair and burdensome. ideas, such as feeding the elk in But, the legitimacy of societal concern is real, and the issues that the winter, building an eight-foot negatively impact our environment, resulting from poor agricultural tall fence between game land and practices must be addressed. Farmers understand this and are leading private property or hiring a sea- the charge for sustainable change. sonal employee whose job it would be to haze elk during the winter AgroLiquid is also committed to bridging the gap between consumers, have all been discussed. As in most environmental groups, regulatory agencies, and production agriculture. cases, however, funding is a major Driven by the desire to help the farmer prosper, AgroLiquid products problem. are developed upon principles of nutrient synergy, sustainability, To those who would suggest that and practical agronomy. We’re researching, developing, and bringing it’s an honor to have wildlife on exciting new technologies to the farm gate that meet the challenges one’s land, that depends on one’s farmers face today. perspective. “It comes down to the fact that Recognizing the similar goals and objectives of the Pacific Northwest what we produce is how we make Direct Seed Association, AgroLiquid has chosen to partner with a living, buy groceries, pay taxes, PNDSA by offering a rebate on AgroLiquid products to Association etc. That’s how we exist, and when members, through June 30, 2017. AgroLiquid will rebate PNDSA that number gets smaller because growers $0.025/gallon, and PNDSA will receive $0.025/gallon for all of damage, that affects our whole AgroLiquid product purchased before the end of this program. In operation,” Greene said. “It feels a addition, AgroLiquid will reimburse PNDSA $250 per new, qualifying little like we are between a rock and Farmed SMART Sustainable Ag certification obtained before June 30, a hard place.” 2017. For Forgey, there is no easy answer to the elk issue. For more information on the rebate program contact AgroLiquid Sales Account Manager Eric Collins at 360-325-5655 or Sales “WDFW hasn’t come up with very Account Manager Bruce Keck at 208-240-1968. Find an satisfactory ways to compensate us AgroLiquid Retail Partner near you at for our losses, and you can’t seem to http://www.agroliquid.com/contact-us/ hold anybody accountable. Having said that, the local people in our office do what they can. It’s Olympia that we are butting heads with,” he said.

WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 33 WL FEATURE

The 2017 Wheat College 1st 100 to Welcome to Wheat College register giveaway sponsors are: This year marks the fifth annual Wheat College, an educational outreach effort from the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG). Landing in the Tri-Cities for the first time, Wheat College will be held at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick on April 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This popular workshop has been held throughout Eastern Washington wheat country and has reached more than 450 growers and ag professionals to date. The agenda for this year’s event will provide timely, pertinent information on The 2017 Wheat College random herbicide application, variety selection and disease control strategies, herbicide drawing giveaway sponsors are: resistance and worker protection standards. Featuring Greg Kruger from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and in coordination with Washington State University (WSU) Extension, WAWG welcomes all producers who want to take part in this interactive program. There is no cost for attending Wheat College, and lunch is included. Pesticide credits will be offered. The first 100 people to RSVP will receive a free, 2.5 gallon container of RoundUp. Call the WAWG office at (877) The 2017 Agricultural Marketing 740-2666 to register by April 12. and Management sponsors are: Greg Kruger with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Ag Info Network is a weed science and application technology specialist Ag Link Inc at the West Central Research and Extension Center in AgVentures NW LLC North Platte, Neb. He also holds an assistant professor Albaugh LLC position in the agronomy and horticulture department, Almira Farmer’s Warehouse both of which are at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. As part of his position, Almota Elevator Company he directs a diversified program investigating weed science, ranging from weed management and pesticide applications to sustainable use of pesticides. Central Washington Grain Growers Kruger completed his bachelor’s degree in agribusiness at Ohio State CliftonLarsonAllen University and master’s and Ph.D. degrees in plant pathology and weed science, respectively, at Purdue University with a research focus on root-knot nematodes Davenport Union Warehouse and herbicide-resistant marestail. His research interests include increasing crop Dow AgroSciences yields through water management practices, understanding crop residue man- Hatley/Cobb Farmland agement and the impacts on soil quality, interactions between pest management Management strategies and more. Helena Chemical Co Kruger joined the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in January 2010. His current JW & Associates PLLC research efforts are focused on limited rainfall production ag, herbicide-resis- Moss Adams LLP tant weeds and pesticide application technology. Kruger’s program has a strong Northwest Farm Credit Services emphasis on understanding spray nozzles, adjuvants and sprayer modifications. Pacific Northwest Farmers The completion of a wind tunnel facility in North Platte in February marked the Cooperative flagship achievement of application technology research within the program. Pomeroy Grain Growers Other Wheat College topics will include: ProPartners Financial • Back to the future: applying herbicides with drift in mind, presented by Reardan Seed Greg Kruger; Scott’s Tire Service • Worker protection standards, presented by Carol Black, WSU Extension; Syngenta The McGregor Company • Variety selection and disease control strategies, presented by Ryan Higginbotham and Tim Murray, WSU Extension; Tri-State Seed Company Washington Grain Commission • Ending Columbia-Snake River System litigation, presented by Darryll Washington Trust Bank Olson, Columbia Snake River Irrigators Association; and Wheatland Bank • Herbicide resistance trends in the Pacific Northwest, presented by Drew Wilbur Ellis Co Lyon, WSU Extension.

34 WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 Seed, Fertilizer & Chemical Application FARM & RANCH Equipment LAND AUCTION AGPRO designs the drill to YOUR specs….. Dorothy Naught Estate Three Drill Frame Designs! Two Opener Styles! 5 miles south of Bickleton, Four Seed/Fertilizer Point Options! Seed Boxes from 70-210 bushel! Wash., in Klickitat County 2,000 acres with improvements, grain storage, CRP income, hunting & recreation opportunities, Drill Widths up to 53 Feet! Ultra-Low Disturbance Drill Frames with 2 or 3 Ranks wind energy potential. Cross Slot Openers! and High Flotation Tires Offered in multiple parcels; 10% buyer’s premium Call for details at 800-492-2212 May 2017 1112 Airway Ave. Email: [email protected] (date and location TBA) Lewiston, ID 893501 www.agproinc.com Watch our website for more information about this auction and others to come: kincaidrealestate.com In cooperation with BookerAuction.com

C.D.C.D. “Butch” BookerBooker Broker/Auctioneer Managing Broker/Auctioneer 809 N. Main Colfax, WA 99111 509-397-4434 [email protected] On the web: kincaidrealestate.com Licensed in Washington

We Are Your Integration Specialists John Deere Rate Controller 2000 • Control 5 products both liquid and granular with one controller • New more user friendly interface • Control up to 16 sections • Allows control of dual or tiered booms Tom Wells ISD Manager 509-770-1271 SureFire Liquid Application Systems [email protected] • Electromagnetic flow meter has no moving parts for longer life, and improved accuracy without being affected by viscosity. Andy Garza • Complete suite of products to fit any ISD Specialist application 509-977-1286 • Improved accuracy at low application rates [email protected]

WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 35 WL FEATURE Getting to know Hilary Franz FIRES, RURAL ECONOMIES TOP NEW COMMISSIONER’S LIST OF PRIORITIES

In November, Hilary Franz was elected as the next commissioner of public lands. Previously, she served as the executive director of Futurewise, a statewide environmental conservation organization. She has also served as a Bainbridge Island City councilmember and on numerous conservation, management and economic development boards. She was appointed by Gov. Christine Gregoire to the Washington state’s Climate Action Team IWG on the State Environmental Policy Act. As a lawyer, she has represented local governments, nonprofit organizations and citizen groups on land use and environmental law issues. Franz graduated from Smith College and the Northeastern University School of Law. The new commissioner agreed to answer some questions from Wheat Life regarding her new position and priorities and how the Washington State natural resource economies and our environment. I’m Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages leases focused on working with those who are affected by these on state lands. fires and those that fight them to develop and implement What made you decide to run for Commissioner critical strategies to ensure that we are better prepared to of Public Lands? reduce the impacts and severity of these wildfires. The land and the important connection between land One of the most significant ways to reduce the wildfire and community made me decide to run for commissioner threat is to focus on forest health treatments. We have 2.7 of public lands. As a third-generation farmer and small- million acres of forests—federal, state and tribal lands— forest landowner, my family and I have always had a deep that are in poor health due to disease, drought and insect connection to the land and an understanding of its value infestation. We need to make progress on restoring the for our community, our economy and our environment. health of these landscapes from actively managing these As we face a rapidly growing population and an ever- forests through use of prescribed burns, selective thinning changing environment, I believe it is even more critical and diversifying the tree stock. To that end, we are devel- that we ensure our working farmlands and working forest oping a 20-year plan to restore the health of these forests. lands can continue and even expand. Our communities, This legislative session, I’ve requested more support to our economies and our environment will depend on our help public and private landowners. Our $25 million forest natural resources lands more than ever before. For 20 health request would go toward thinning and prescribed years, I have worked closely with local, state and federal burns for upwards of 50,000 acres of state, private and government and with private and nonprofit partners to federal fuel reduction efforts. This includes help for com- ensure the long-term health and sustainability of our wa- munities and homeowners who are doing what they can terways and working farms and forests. As commissioner to prepare for the reality of living in an era of growing of public lands, I will draw from my past experiences wildfire risk. and partnerships and work closely with citizens, indus- My other top priority is strengthening our rural tries, communities, trust land beneficiaries and others to economies. For too long, our rural communities that are strengthen our state’s rural forest and agricultural econo- dependent on strong natural resource economies have mies while ensuring the long-term health of our water, been struggling to provide for their families. I believe the food and wood resources. Department of Natural Resources can be a valuable part- What are some of the issues you’ll be tackling? ner with our rural communities by helping diversify local I have several top priorities I will be working to address. economies, support critical infrastructure investments, The first priority is reducing the threat of catastrophic ensure production on public lands and increase access to wildfire. We are seeing more catastrophic wildfires, which capital and state and federal funding opportunities. I look have a significant impact on public health and safety, our forward to working with local communities to help im-

36 WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 Varieties Available For Spring 2017

BARLEY/OATS SPRING CANOLA/MUSTARD Certified Champion Hyclass 955 RR Certified Vespa Hyclass 930 RR Certified Lenetah NexeraDynagro 2020 533 CLRR Monida and Park Oats Non-GMO/ClearfieldDynagro 531/533 RR varieties Certified Haybet Beardless Barley onIdagold request Mustard Certified Stockford Beardless Barley Idagold Mustard WHEAT CertifiedCertified Babe-Soft Babe-Soft White White CertifiedCertified Louise-Soft Louise-Soft White White Certified Diva-Soft Diva-Soft White White JD-SoftCertified White SY SpringSaltese-Soft Club White JD-SoftCertified White Glee-Hard Spring Red Club Spring Certified SYGlee-Hard Selway-Hard Red RedSpring Spring CertifiedLCS Luna-Hard SY Selway-Hard Red Spring Red Spring LCSCertified Luna-Hard SY 605CL-Clearfield Red Spring Hard Red Certified SY 605CL-Clearfield Hard Red REARDAN SEED CO., INC. CallCall us us today today for for details details onon varieties varieties and and prices. prices. 29768 SR 231 North Reardan, WA 509-796-2575 Locally Owned & Operated - Serving the Basin for 40 Years Geoff Schulz 559-805-8537

EradicatE MEdiocrit y Put the best agronomic team in the Inland Northwest to work on your farm.

Average Yields Won’t Be Good Enough in 2017

DEDICATED PEOPLE WHO CARE Contact a McGregor Certified Crop Adviser to develop a ABOUT FARM FAMILIES personalized production plan for your farm. ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT ABOUT THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE www.mcgregor.com 800.873.8666

WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 37 WL FEATURE

prove opportunities in our rural communities and to grow is when a higher or better use is available for the property, our natural resource economies. such as taking advantage of water rights—and especially How will your background as the former if those water rights could be lost by not doing so. executive director of Futurewise influence your When the agency does take the uncommon step of ask- term as commissioner of public lands? ing to terminate a lease, the farmer is allowed to continue Futurewise focused on preventing the conversion of using the land until the planted crops are harvested. DNR working farmlands and forests into subdivisions and staff then gives farmers 60 additional days after their other development. Our natural resource lands are critical lease terminates to remove improvements they’ve made to the long-term health of our communities, our economy that can’t be sold to subsequent lessees. Agency staff also and our environment. In my four years at Futurewise, I return any prepaid rent or fees beyond the end of the worked to change the culture of the organization from contract period. litigating local governments to partnering with local and I look forward to conversations with farmers on how we state government on critical issues of protecting working can improve our approach to support all of our mutual farmlands and forest lands, ensuring affordable housing work. and investing in critical transportation our state depends We’ve heard reports that DNR is buying former on. I will use this experience in partnering with local agricultural land at highly inflated prices, communities and nonprofit, public and private sectors effectively pricing farmers out of the market. as commissioner of public lands to closely collaborate How is the price DNR offers for land calculated? with citizens, landowners, businesses, governments and nonprofit partners to promote a balanced and sustainable DNR does not pay more than what willing private sell- approach to managing Washington’s public lands. ers are asking for their lands. Like other buyers, we deter- Recently, the department acknowledged that mine the fair market value of a piece of land by looking at it hadn’t communicated very well with farmers its current and highest best uses, the current and potential lease rates as well as the location, soil and availability who had leases terminated early. What do you of reliable water sources. As buyers, we’ve sometimes perceive are the communication problems been able to offer sellers short-term lease-backs and other within the department and how do you plan to standard arrangements in the industry that other buyers fix them? might not choose to offer. Before my time with the agency, DNR staff did act to DNR purchases agriculture and forest lands using the terminate several dryland leases early in order to retain proceeds from our sales of other trust lands. To keep the precious Columbia River water rights on thousands of beneficiaries of today and tomorrow whole we must rein- acres of land. Based on feedback, it’s clear that DNR needs vest our land sales proceeds into other revenue-producing to spend more time improving relationships and ensuring lands, not let it sit in accounts, especially at today’s histori- effective and frequent communication with our communi- cally low interest rates. ties, stakeholders and lessees. I will be working to make What is the justification for a state agency DNR a more outward facing agency with stronger relationships and more frequent interactions with those com- to regularly outbid private citizens when munities we work in and with the entities we work with. agricultural land is being sold? Additionally, we will lengthen our notification periods (at The state offers fair market value for land investments. least 180 days) as a standard business practice. We do so because, ultimately, DNR’s fiduciary obligation In standard DNR leasing contracts, there are to trust beneficiaries requires the agency to be prudent no reimbursements for farmers when DNR managers and business agents. terminates a lease early. Why? It seems that out-of-control wildfires have I have tremendous respect for our lessee farmers and become a regular occurrence every summer. permitholders. They’re valued business associates, and What are your goals with this issue and how do it’s only through them that we’re able to manage lands you intend to reach them? sustainably and generate revenue for trust beneficiaries. To get ahead, and stay ahead, of the growing wild- To ensure that the beneficiaries are gaining the maximum fire situation won’t be quick, easy or cheap. Washington benefit from the use of the lands the department manages, needs improved wildfire response statewide. Improving it is sometime necessary to transition these lands. The only forest health is a big part of that, but I’ve also asked the reason we will terminate a lease (barring lessee violations) Legislature for $13 million in additional funds to help

38 WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 DNR increase its wildfire training programs and provide more equipment and support to local partners. We further intend to increase aircraft availability; data and informa- POMEROY GRAIN GROWERS tion gathering technologies; weather stations and remote IT equipment; and add 10 engines and 42 firefighters. There is no quick, cheap fix. Going forward, we are developing a 20-year plan to build capacity and resources and develop and implement the most effective multi-agency wildfire fighting team. We must assure that we have well- prepared, trained and equipped crews on the ground and in the air—from state DNR, federal and local responders— to put fires out quickly.

Your Rural Property Specialist Serving farmers for over 85 years

Farmland, timberland, recreational properties, Lake Roosevelt and homes on acreage! I work all over Eastern Washington... If you want to BUY or SELL, call me!

Contact Greg Schuster, Broker Pomeroy Grain Growers, Inc. Rural Property Sales Pomeroy Grain Office 509-843-1694 Coldwell Banker Tomlinson Pomeroy Agronomy 509-843-1394 Farm Commodities-Colfax 800-424-5056 [email protected] 509-993-2545 www.pomeroygrain.com

IN STOCK! Cultivate At Over 10 MPH!

A Revolution In Tillage... Pure and Simple

FEATURES & BENEFITS: • Instantly Level Ruts • Compact Transport Frame Rotates To Lift Rear Disc Sections Off Ground–Never Plug Up! Fast Seedbed Prep • Maximum Trash Flow • Easy Depth Control Works Well In Dry or Wet Conditions • Built Simple And Stout

Specially Designed Discs Cut DIESEL & MACHINE, INC. 227 20th St. North, Lewiston, ID 83501 Through Compaction and Provide Maximum Residue Control Call Today! 208-743-7171

WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 39 WL FEATURE

AMMO Report The ins, outs of crop insurance By Trista Crossley The Agricultural Marketing and Do I have a Claim? Management’s 2017 schedule took aim at Revenue Protection Only crop insurance in February, hosting two workshops on the subject in Ritzville and Questions to ask before starting calculations Walla Walla. While the presenters varied Worksheet on next page between the two sites, the information Did the farm have a bushel loss Did price increase from the Projected Price? presented was the same. This article cov- (Coverage level x APH) If so, there will be a claim Did your yield increase above ers the workshop in Ritzville on Feb. 15. your yield guarantee The first speaker was Emily Gordon, Did the farm have a bushel gain? (coverage level x APH) NO CLAIM a Ritzville-based insurance agent for There still could be a claim if the price fell a significant amount from Did price increase from the Northwest Farm Credit Services, who dis- the Projected to Harvest Price Projected Price? cussed crop insurance coverage options. Did price decrease or stay Did your yield decrease fall She singled out conservation compliance unchanged from the below your yield guarantee (coverage level x APH) as something that producers need to be Projected Price? aware of, explaining that if a change is Begin with step 1 to calculate If so, skip to Step 2 revised revenue guarantee made to a producer’s entity after June 1, 2015, those producers are required to sign Farm Service Agency (FSA) form Slides from Northwest Farm Credit Services insurance agent Emily Gordon helped answer AD-1026 stating why they are no longer in growers’ questions about crop insurance claims. compliance. “Without this form, they can pull your Indemnity Worksheet subsidies or your landlord subsidies,” she said. Gordon urged producers who think Make it Work for Your Farm they might be in this situation to contact Step 1: Calculate Revised Revenue Guarantee their local crop insurance agent. “It’s nothing to worry about but something to X X = know about.” APH Coverage Harvest Guarantee per acre Gordon went through the coverage Level Price types available for wheat policies: yield Step 2: Calculate Crop Insurance Indemnity protection, revenue protection and revenue protection with harvest price exclu- X = sion. There’s also a catastrophic policy, Your Harvested Bushels Our Harvest Price Revenue to Count which is a yield policy only and gives you Step 3: What is my payment per acre a production guarantee of 50 percent of actual production history and 55 percent - = of established price. The fee is $300 per Guarantee per Acre Revenue to Count Indemnity per Acre crop per county regardless of how many acres a producer has. Yield protection policy restrictions increments of 5 percent; and include: • The policy uses the Risk Management Agency’s (RMA) projected price. • It covers only production loss due to a “So, if the price goes up or down at harvest, this policy wouldn’t be con- covered peril; cerned with any of that,” she explained. “It’s just a yield policy, so you have • Coverage levels available for wheat to have a yield loss in order to get paid, and you are going to get paid that range from 50 percent to 85 percent in projected price.”

40 WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 CLASS 8 TRUCKS Connell Grange Supply 521 N. EASTERN • SPOKANE, WA (509) 534-9088 • [email protected] We Deliver Top Quality Fuels Shop With Us • 24-Hour Pumps • Bulk Fuel Tanks Where For Sale The Customer • Farm Hardware Is STILL In Stock The Company! • Full Tire Services • Cattle Equipment 343 S. Columbia • Connell, WA Ryan, Marlene and James http://www.connellgrange.com 509-234-2631 Poe (Katie was in school). Poe Grain and Livestock Inc. is a centennial farm in the Coulee-Hartline area. CHROME ALLOY WEAR PARTS Ryan says he takes care of the green with uncle Terry and cousin Dean. SPROCKETS Wife Dr. Marlene takes care of the We offer chain drive, rod drive, and idler sprockets. critters. “No feathers and no scales!” COLLARS Collars are used on both sides of drive sprockets, and can This truck is going to move grain, be turned to obtain even longer life. hay and equipment more efficiently, SPOOLS providing extra time to visit the We have regular spools, barrel spools, and spools with set-screw collars. cousins in Connell. GOOSE-NECK POINTS We have goose-neck points, with RH chrome rod installed. Marc B. Lange (509) 991-9088 WEAR BLOCKS Wear blocks are available to fit all types of our spools. Scott Lund (509) 995-5024 BOOT POINTS Jeff Miller (509) 599-9926 We have regular, rock, and universal boot points. NOT JUST TRUCKS, R & H MACHINE 115 ROEDEL AVE. CALDWELL, ID 83605 1-800-321-6568 www.rhmachine.com TRAILERS TOO! Setting the Standard for Wear! www.class8trucksales.com Rock Steel Structures, Inc. Offering quality you can depend on: Grain Storage For Farms or Warehouses Farm Storage ! Hopper Bottom Bins Grain Handling • GrainGrain BinBin AccessoriesAccessories Water Storage Tanks ! Aeration Systems Handling Equipment www.SCAFCO.com

Shops • Warehouses • Equipment Storage Steel Buildings • Steel Stud Pole Buildings

Water Storage Tanks • Aeration Systems Dealer Info Hopper Bottom Bins • Catwalks, Ladders and Towers Contact Scott Rock 509-764-9700 [email protected] Moses Lake, Wash.

WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 41 WL FEATURE

Revenue protection policy restrictions include: • Protection against losses in revenue caused by low Benefits of FSAfarm+ price, low yields or a combination of both; • The FSAfarm+ Customer Self-Service Portal allows • Coverage levels available for wheat range from 50 farmers access: – farmland and cropland information percent to 85 percent in increments of 5 percent; – ACR/PLC bases and yield information • Policies use futures market prices and a producer’s – CRP and other conservation program acreage – HELC and WC status information actual production history to compute crop insur- – field boundaries (common land unit) ance guarantees and is based on the higher of the – farm imagery – name and address details projected price or harvest price; and – membership interest and share information • The policy always pays a claim if a producer’s actual – contact information. yield falls below the yield guarantee. With the harvest price exclusion, producers are only According to Sara Cossio, a FSA county office trainee, FSAfarm+ is a customer self- protecting themselves for downward prices, so if prices service portal that allows producers to view and print FSA stored data. are higher at harvest time than the projected price, this New in 2016 is the yield exclusion, which allows pro- policy likely wouldn’t pay. ducers to not count a crop year’s actual yield as long as Gordon also went through the winter option, which is RMA has determined that the county yield was lower an endorsement that can be added to a policy to provide than 50 percent of the county’s previous 10-year average. producers additional options in the event of winter dam- Producers can exclude as many years as they want, as long age, especially as to what types of crops can be planted to as RMA has determined that those years are excludable. replace damaged winter wheat: The yield exclusion is available for dry peas, wheat, barley, • Destroy the remaining crop upon acceptance of the canola, corn and oats. There is a one-year lag, however, crop appraisal. Acreage can then be planted to another before county data is finalized. crop, but this is not required; The whole farm revenue protection (WFRP) program • Replant the acreage to spring wheat and accept replant was another topic Gordon discussed. WFRP is a umbrella payment; or program that covers revenue from everything grown under a farm entity. Coverage is dependent on how many • Do nothing and proceed to harvest. crops are grown, among other limitations, and growers Gordon cautioned producers, telling them that if they must have 5 consecutive years of farm tax history (there take the winter option, their landlords need to do so as are some exceptions for entity changes). RMA recently well, because the winter policy’s replanting options can made some changes to WFRP that make it more attrac- void a basic policy. She said the winter option has become tive to wheat growers. Growers can now split out winter quite popular. vs. spring wheat and dry peas vs. garbanzos as separate “This gives you the ability to farm the way you want to crops. farm and not necessarily not the way I’m going to tell you “This is a good program, and this might be an answer to to farm on the other side,” she said. some of those quality issues we’re having,” she said. Growers that have questions about WFRP or any other crop insurance products should contact their local What is Conservation Client insurance agent. Gateway? The second half of the AMMO session covered online ! Website allowing 24/7 access to farmers, ranchers, and forest owners NRCS documents, plans, and contracts programs from the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the

! Voluntary access – use is not mandatory Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). According to Sara Cossio, a FSA county office trainee, How can it benefit you? FSAfarm+ is a customer self-service portal that allows ! Provide quick access to plan and contract documentation producers to view and print FSA stored data, such as ! Reduce trips to the field office (especially during seeding/ common land units, producer information and maps. harvest) Producers must establish an e-Authentication Level 2 ! Ability to view land with topographic and soils data account, and that account must be linked to the busi- Bobby Burken, GIS/ToolKit coordinator for the state NRCS office, covered the NRCS ness’s FSA record. In addition, producers must be a first- Conservation Client Gateway

42 WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 FEATURE WL level member, rather than an embedded entity within an producer’s e-Authentication account. entity. Producers can access the program at fsa.usda.gov/ “One of the most important things we are trying to push online-services/farm-plus/index. For more information, with the client gateway is that you don’t have to use all the producers can contact their local FSA office. functions of it, but one of the ones we value the most is the Bobby Burken, GIS/ToolKit coordinator for the state document signing ability you have,” he said. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office, Unlike the FSA program, the NRCS program will allow covered the NRCS Conservation Client Gateway, which producers who have embedded entities to access that gives producers the ability to sign and download NRCS information. The NRCS client gateway can be accessed at documents, monitor the status of payments, see conser- nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/cgate/. For vation plans, contracts, etc. It is also accessed through a more information, contact your local NRCS field office.

Time To Start GROWING

GUARDIAN FRONT BOOM SPRAYERS. NEVER LOOK BACK. Step into a new SMART Guardian front boom sprayer from New Holland and you won’t look back. Guardian front boom sprayers allow you to cover ground faster to maximize acres sprayed per hour. With the highest horsepower, the ...and we aren’t just talking largest tank sizes, the smoothest about your crops! suspension, a tight 13.5-foot turning radius (15-foot for 4-wheel steer), and Like working in the fields, growing a business takes the industry-highest six–foot ground a lot of time and nurturing. Whether you need to open clearance, it’s easy to understand how a checking or savings account, State Bank can help a Guardian front boom sprayer helps prepare you for a prosperous new season. you achieve a new level of spraying freedom and productivity. Stop by a SBNW branch or call today! Hermiston, OR La Grande, OR Quincy, WA (541) 567-3001 (541) 963-8144 (509) 787-3595

Lakeview, OR Albany, OR Walla Walla, WA (541) 947-2188 (541) 757-8112 (509) 522-9800

Hines, OR Othello, WA (541) 573-1280 (509) 488-9606 Garfield Branch, 301 W. California St. 635-1361 Northpointe Spokane Branch, 9727 N. Nevada 464-2701 Christmas Valley, OR Pasco, WA Spokane Valley Branch, 12902 E. Sprague 789-4335 (541) 576-3026 (509) 547-1795 www.sseqinc.com © 2017 CNH Industrial America LLC. All rights reserved. New Holland is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates. CNH Industrial Capital and New Holland Construction are trademarks in the United States and www.statebanknorthwest.com many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates.

WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 43 WL FEATURE

AMMO Report Forecasting ag policy, yield factors By Trista Crossley This winter, two topics have domi- nated many of Eastern Washington’s news outlets. First, of course, was the weather (Wind! Cold! Snow! More snow! More wind!), and second was the election and what it might mean for agriculture. Both of those topics came together in February thanks to the Agricultural Marketing and Management Organization. Whether the weather Dr. Elwynn Taylor, an Extension agronomist and climatologist from Iowa State University, tackled how growing conditions affect yields, and the importance of plotting yield data to understand volatility for crop insurance purposes. Taylor recommended growers view a climate graph of their near- back to nighttime temperatures, Taylor said, because the warmer the nights, the est city at yourweatherservice.com faster the plant matures leaving fewer days to grow. that shows average temperatures “Corn and wheat and rice can all mature day and night, but can only grow in and precipitation by month. Using the daytime,” he said. “This is the most overlooked factor of plant development graphs from Spokane, Pullman and affecting your economy that there is. If we have a crop going from pollination Connell, he pointed out the on-av- to maturity in 60 days, we get our full yield. But if nights are especially warm, erage 25 degree difference between it might make maturity in 55 days instead of 60. What has that just done? It’s cut daytime and nighttime tempera- 10 percent off your yield.” tures at those locations. Taylor said across the globe, rice yields have fallen an average of 8 percent “There’s a crucial time that deter- partially because of this problem. Warmer ocean temperatures have made mines yields that the USDA (U.S. nights warmer by about 2 degrees in many of the coastal rice-growing areas. Department of Agriculture) misses “This is the unknown to put you on the correct side of the market,” he said. consistently. They only look at the “What’s it worth to you to be on the right side of the market? Nothing if you things you can see when you look don’t do anything with the market, but if you know the market is wrong, and it at a field,” he explained. The USDA usually is, then you have an advantage.” looks at when crops were planted, Taylor urged producers to make a graph of their annual proven yields vs. when plants emerged, when they county yields to help them determine which one has the greater volatility and matured, etc., but for many grains, therefore should be what’s insured. the crucial time is between pollination and maturity. During that “If you don’t have a graph, you don’t know (where the volatility is),” he said. period—for wheat that is about 60 “That’s where money is made, off the volatility. Even more than that, you know days—the plant is growing by add- what’s happening on your farm. You know how much grain there will be to sell ing dry matter to the kernels. The this year.” longer a plant has to add dry matter, Switching over to talk about drought, Taylor said most droughts start in the the better the yields. This all goes Carolinas or north Georgia and move west. When weather patterns are divided

44 WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 FEATURE WL across the continental divide, they tend to persist. Bad (lasting about 25 years) alternating with periods of yield weather for growing corn in the Midwest will often be stability (lasting 18 years). He said this is an important juxtaposed with good weather in the Northwest. And pattern because 2012 was the first year of what looks like when Arizona is wet, Washington state will often be dry the beginning of a volatile period. He also predicted that a and vice versa. dustbowl will occur in the U.S. this century. Growth pat- “What does that tell us? That Washington and Arizona terns from tree rings show dustbowl periods happening both depend on El Niño, and El Niño being bad for approximately every 89 years, with the last U.S. dustbowl Washington means it is wet for Arizona. When La Niña in 1936. comes and it is dry for Arizona, it’s wet for Washington. “All of the risk management you’ve been practicing the You have the opposite effect that most of the country does last 10 years has been practice. Remember that the chances with an El Niño event,” he explained. are, we are moving into volatility of agriculture much like Taylor also showed a graph charting Iowa corn yields we had in the 80s, hitting its peak around 2025. Manage from 1925 to 2011 that showed periods of yield volatility the risk to be ready for that,” he concluded.

Ag policy report card ag policy, it’s never been so hard to predict as it is now under the new administration and new Congress. And in Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh, an agricultural economics professor at Kansas State University, tried to predict what those 50 years, the biggest change he’s seen is the move to ag policy might look like in the next few years, telling partisan politics. the group he is always glad to visit “the Washington that “In 1966, ag politicians, rural state politicians without works.” He said in the 50 years he’s been involved with any doubt put farmers first and partisan politics second. Farm bills in those days were bipartisan. Today, it’s exactly opposite. Partisan politics are first in both parties, and you are second, and that’s got to change or ag policy is going to get really nasty and very difficult to get anything ac- complished,” he explained. Flinchbaugh called the farm bill the number one ag policy issue right now, telling the group that rural America gave Trump 75 percent of their vote, which is why he won the electoral college while losing the popular vote. “That means we should hold his feet to the fire,” he said, adding that Congress and the president are facing a fragile ag economy. Many of the main players who developed and funded the last farm bill will be working on the 2018 Farm Bill, including Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas) and Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.). “So the fact that it is the same crew also means this is not the time for a major over- haul of the farm bill.” One of the biggest issues with the upcoming farm bill will be the relationship between crop insurance and food stamps. Without nutrition and food stamps, which make up 85 percent of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s budget, farmers will no longer have a seat at the cabinet table. “If you take food stamps out of the farm bill, this will be the last farm bill. Urban congressmen are not going to vote for a farm bill that doesn’t have food stamps in it,” he said. “You’d better pay attention to this. Why is this tied to crop insurance? Urban congressmen will vote for crop insurance if rural congressmen support food programs.”

WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 45 WL FEATURE FARM & HOME SUPPLY 1-888-643-3395 • 509-843-3395 The other big issue that the next farm bill needs to address is refining www.fhsupply.com Pomeroy, WA New CaseIH Steiger 500, triples, PTO ...... CALL Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs New Case IH 8240H Axial-Flow Combine, 40 ft. MacDonald Draper Header...... CALL to make them more palatable, including allowing producers to change their Case IH 550 Quad-Trac, PTO, 36” Tracks ..... $375,500 program choice in the middle of the life of the farm bill. 2011 Case IH 7088H Hillside Combine, 777 hours, w/30’ header ...... $265,000 Flinchbaugh discussed other major issues facing Trump (and he included ’02 CaseIH STX 375 Quad Trac, 36” Tracks, PTO ...... $97,750 Congress because most of these issues can’t be addressed without Congress) Available To Rent or Lease 30’ Great Plains 3010 NT No-Till Drill and graded the president on his efforts: Great Plains 29’ Disc Schulte 5026 Rotary Mower - $12/Acre • Trade. Earlier in his talk, Flinchbaugh said that as far as wheat farmers are 1979 IH 1854 Single Axle Truck, 16’ Bed, “Diesel” concerned, this is a permanent global economy with trade representing 28 466, w/hoist and slip tank ...... $8,995 Kioti PX9020 Loader-Tractor, Cab, 4x4 ...... $63,975 percent of the gross domestic product. Looking a little closer to home, he 2010 Kioti DK 55 Tractor w/Cab & Loader ..... $37,500 pointed out that in 2015, Washington exported $3.8 billion of farm prod- JD 9400 Wheel Tractor, duals, 425HP .....$65,500 OBO Case IH 160 Pull Sprayer, 1600 gal. tank, GPS, Ultra ucts out of the state with $340 million of that from wheat. Exports in the sonic booms, forward fold ...... $35,500 OBO Great Plains 48’ Cultivator, 4 state have been cut in half since 2013. Pulling the plug on the Trans-Pacific Bar HR Spike Harrow ... CALL Partnership (TPP) and trying to gut the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) are only going to make the situation worse. “TPP is the most lucrative trade agreement ever negotiated by this country on behalf of agriculture. It would add $5 billion per year to net farm income. We are pulling the plug with a fragile ag economy. We are pulling the plug on HANDLE BULK SEED what we really needed,” he said. “Clearly, to date, if I had Trump in class, THE EASY WAY on trade, I’d flunk him.” • Immigration. Flinchbaugh gave Trump a B, saying that the president has said publicly that he understands that agriculture needs a permanent, legal immigrant workforce. “Seventy-five percent of this country’s fruits and vegetables are picked by illegals. Half the cows in this country are milked by illegals, and they are becoming more expensive. Why? Contrary to what the president says, immigration is now moving south. There are more immigrants leaving this country than are coming in (in 2016).” • Deregulation . A+ “There’s no question agriculture is over-regulated and that it increases our cost of production.” • Bio-fuels . During the campaign, Flinchbaugh said Trump was hot on ethanol but has waffled since the election. He gave him a B. • GMO labeling. Flinchbaugh gave Trump an A, saying the president appears to be a strong supporter. • Climate change. Flinchbaugh gave Trump a D, saying, “…There is climate change. Beyond that, I don’t know that we know very much. Is it normal? Easy-on-off with one pin Could be. What causes it? We think fossil fuels, but do we know? It is Fast efﬁcient handling of bulk very controversial. Trump called it a Chinese hoax; he’s now dropped the Remote controlled hydraulic motor Chinese. His new EPA administrator agrees it is a hoax. His new Interior Spring assisted lift for easy operations secretary thinks it’s real. You got to give him credit for allowing disagree- Long reach 6” auger and 14.5’ telescoping spout ment in the cabinet.” Flinchbaugh said he would argue that GMOs and climate change have no business in politics because they are scientific issues, not political issues, and they should never have been set up and divided along party lines. “Our belief in science is declining, and when you believe less in science, you 509.535.1177 believe more in political crap because they substitute for each other,” he said. 39053905 .E. E Boone. boon Ave.e Ave “The next four years is going to be a real challenge, but the opposite of chal- Spokane,Spokane ,WA WA 99202 99202 lenge is opportunity.” NorthwestGrainAugers.comNwGrainAugers.com

46 WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 These dollars will be used to support candidates that understand what is critical to our industry and the livelihood of our members

Political advocacy is Why Support the Washington Wheat PAC? Washington farmers are losing ground politically! The something many of us ability to protect our interests is slowly dwindling. think we can never get Washington wheat producers need elected officials who know and understand the industry. Without involved in; the Washington these relationships our ability to remain competitive Wheat PAC is out is at risk. During the legislative session, thousands of bills are introduced; many not favorable to farming. to change that. Now is the time for the industry to join together and proactively influence legislation that directly impacts The Washington Wheat PAC is a nonpartisan political the Washington wheat producer. action committee that is dedicated to supporting ag-friendly candidates. Please join our efforts by financially supporting the Washington Wheat PAC. Your contribution will The Washington Wheat PAC pledges to promote and strengthen the network of elected officials who support elected officials from all parts of the state that understand the wheat industry’s goals and objectives positively influence agriculture. by fighting for what is critical to the livelihood of our members.

Protect your interests by supporting farm-friendly candidates who can make a difference in Olympia.

Yes, I would like to join with the Washington Wheat PAC’s vision and support their actions with my donation.

When you make a donation to the Washington Wheat PAC, you are investing in the future of agriculture in Washington State.

Please send form along with payment to PO Box 184, Ritzville, WA 99169. Checks should be made out to the Washington Wheat PAC. 䤀渀琀爀椀最甀攀搀䈀礀䌀漀瘀攀爀䌀爀漀瀀瀀椀渀最Ⰰ 䈀甀琀䰀愀挀欀吀栀攀䴀漀椀猀琀甀爀攀吀漀倀甀氀氀䤀琀伀昀昀㼀䌀刀伀倀刀伀吀䄀吀䤀伀一匀圀䤀䰀䰀䐀伀吀䠀䔀䨀伀䈀℀ 䈀甀椀氀搀礀漀甀爀猀漀椀氀猀昀漀爀琀栀攀昀甀琀甀爀攀☠唀猀椀渀最伀氀搀匀挀椀攀渀挀攀吀栀愀琀䠀愀猀圀漀爀欀攀搀䘀漀爀䌀攀渀琀甀爀椀攀猀圀䤀一吀䔀刀䌀䄀一伀䰀䄀㨀㨀一伀一䜀䴀伀䤀䴀䤀ⴀ吀伀䰀䔀刀䄀一吀㨀㨀吀刀䤀吀䤀䌀䄀䰀䔀倀䰀伀圀ⴀ䐀伀圀一䴀唀匀吀䄀刀䐀刀伀唀一䐀唀倀刀䔀䄀䐀夀嘀䄀刀䤀䔀吀䤀䔀匀䄀䰀匀伀䄀嘀䄀䤀䰀䄀䈀䰀䔀

匀吀䄀刀吀䈀唀䰀䐀䤀一䜀夀伀唀刀匀伀䤀䰀䠀䔀䄀䰀吀䠀一伀圀℀

匀倀䔀䌀吀刀唀䴀䌀刀伀倀䐀䔀嘀䔀䰀伀倀䴀䔀一吀䌀甀爀琀椀猀㔀㤀ⴀ㘀㔀㤀ⴀ㄀㜀㔀㜀刀䤀吀娀嘀䤀䰀䰀䔀圀䄀吀漀搀搀㔀㤀ⴀ㘀㐀㄀ⴀ 㐀㌀㘀

䌀伀ⴀ䄀䜀倀爀漀搀甀挀攀爀猀Ⰰ 䤀渀挀⸀ 㠀 ⴀ㈀㔀㠀ⴀ㐀㈀㤀㌀ Washington 㔀㤀ⴀ㔀㈀㌀ⴀ㌀㔀㄀㄀眀眀眀⸀挀漀ⴀ愀最⸀挀漀洀

Wheat 䘀䄀刀䴀䔀刀伀圀一䔀䐀刀䔀匀伀唀刀䌀䔀匀儀甀愀氀椀琀礀匀攀攀搀倀爀漀搀甀挀琀猀 Foundation 䌀漀洀洀漀搀椀琀礀䴀愀爀欀攀琀椀渀最㈀䰀漀挀愀琀椀漀渀猀倀氀甀猀刀愀椀氀 ☀ Annex 刀椀瘀攀爀吀攀爀洀椀渀愀氀䄀挀挀攀猀猀 (in Ritzville, Wash.) 倀爀漀挀攀猀猀椀渀最 ☀ 䔀砀瀀漀爀琀椀渀最䰀攀最甀洀攀倀爀漀搀甀挀琀猀 Rental Includes: Seats 100 • Full service kitchen • Wi-Fi 匀攀攀搀伀昀昀椀挀攀猀㨀 Free coffee and tea • Pull out wall divider 䘀愀椀爀昀椀攀氀搀伀愀欀攀猀搀愀氀攀 2 large screens • Free parking 㔀㤀ⴀ㈀㠀㌀ⴀ㈀㌀㌀㌀㔀㤀ⴀ㈀㠀㔀ⴀ㔀㔀㄀㘀 18 x 22 lobby to gather or serve buffet 刀漀猀愀氀椀愀 Separate board meeting room (seats 12) 㔀㤀ⴀ㔀㈀㌀ⴀ㌀㈀㄀㄀ $50 (0-4 hours) or $100 (4+ hours) 吀攀渀猀攀搀䜀愀爀昀椀攀氀搀 Contact Chauna Carlson 匀倀伀䬀䄀一䔀倀刀伀䌀䔀匀匀䤀一䜀 at the Washington Wheat Foundation rental line (509) 659-1987

48 WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION 49 ------APRIL 2017

WHEAT LIFE WHEAT By Mike Miller By Mike The WGC has to weigh the has weigh to same return WGC The invest on In our marketing to the mission, lay groundwork we our is where board a category reallyEducation strug from our March takeThe meeting away this: was box” and receptivebox” trying to things. new Instead the of traditional fertilizer and soil rates turned tests, we tak to then, in will Spokane. By we nual meeting 17-18 is May crop will a prettyhave the look what 2017 good feel for like. I can best still news The pass is on the wants world our and premium they for our wheat, continue pay to it. us to produce to up It’s product. ing looking tissue application to tests herbicide to prior increase fertility via fertilizer incorporated fungicide or into our that programs a healthier wheat for Now plant. is $4 and inputs are still mind. is of top I hear high, ROI cutting ways, the to back going inputs growers old of takesand the hoping from above here good Lord it through harvest. In the research that consider. ment assessment payers department, funding goes an to projects. array of The hardest thing a commissioner on has is ROI decide to each and every line the to Is there farmer item. a payoff is a constant It discussion the down road? somewhere on investing in the ourselves, very industry live, we where and also all being the solve realistic problems. can’t we maintain, service and expand our market share. Again, arewe investing in thefuture, building already on the to andhealthy world. provide safe we products the on Trying dollars measure to into invested ROI the is but a really one, tough example, for Indonesia, be HUGE. would payoff Whethergles. a Washington Association at Wheat of board meeting, meetingGrowers’ continu a WGC or we ally getting understand Falling the isn’t out. message beennumbers four and a concern years, us have for for dollars of into solving a ton invested the have issuewe and telling surprise by hit many people the it yet story; policy been Ag issueslast summer. the on for have table with out comes a D.C. or Olympia when but decades, until it industry heard about too often hasn’t poor policy, do we is educating spent the what on Money public late. infor from to classroom it, education do ag we and how mational meetings and seminars. trying But measure to in the out which unknown plays education the of value future is difficult. fundamentalsThe changed have in our country and ag push it when pause button the we can’t yet specifically, investing to comes in the ourselves for future. Our an ------The Washington Grain Commission (WGC) had its had Washington GrainThe Commission (WGC) Springtime brings optimism doesn’t, If it a farmer. for Unlike our as at farmers we generations, past have Which leads me to a question we faced in faced Which a question to our me we prelimi leads imaland health, plant financial DepartmentU.S. health, Agriculture reports andof domestic and the in world our growing for puts season. Spring brings opportunities and options us as for farmers and ranchers change to old patterns and working a chance that aren’t open to our technology. newer to eyes March board meeting the on 7th, setting the groundwork and Commissioners operations. budget year’s next for the winter over also feedback received from relayed meetings,grower chemical meetings and our winter around district the went for As we table travels. and industry discus reports, for opened up many were items lack thereof) and prices (or wheat From and debate. sion marketoverseas demands and analysis, crop to condi tions runoff, and to closed roads the due thing one I noticed this optimism a lack of was year in the overall climate agriculture. of all the mentioned We moisture the winter over received being have beneficialagwe to with often a was followed it across the However, state. is“but our fertilizer will low still the “How or there?” common question harvest?” our The on by price go minds since surfaced August opti repeatedly “With we should probably find a more stable occupation. stable more find a probably should we Spring also brings a reality check actually what of took last fall late andplace during the winter in regards an to mum fall growth and above-average moisture, fallmum along growth and above-average will yields, with falling a good chance above-average for These are all crop?” le annumbers 2017’s on do encore gitimate answers, questions and concerns; have some or are Mother to some Nature. up ourselves and educate to disposal avenues multiple hopefully minimize the Given damage agronomically. investment into our crops, and from private varipublic eties disease to soil to is message health, this: my In the our and the breath. planted and held 70s 80s, we wheat happened had and what trusted knew, We in we what Prices changedhistorically. little, grew and good we old standby varieties. there has But been advanced so much research into our livelihood to NEED since then. We mine that info and maximize use to it our profit. nary meeting budget dealing with return investment on On the with $8 was farm, good yields, wheat when (ROI). the “outside working comfortable farmers more were 50 WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION WHEAT LIFE locations along the river. in their livelihood,” Future said. he events are anticipated at other held to be from rubbing shoulders with those for whom the river is a crucial ingredient at all, would not informed who benefit or are who are ill-informed others of the Columbia-Snake the importance about vinced River System, there but us associated Washington with Eastern con to be don’t need wheat farming event their communities. from realize others along “I and bring that those of and children their spouses the Saturday to attend farmers, urged WGC, CEO the of Squires, Glen [email protected]. emailing the event is available at the Snake River Family Festival Facebook on by or Lake. information of Moses More about and the Port of Clarkson the Port of Lewiston, Commission, Wheat the Idaho Commission, Wheat the Oregon of the event sponsors of Whitman County, include the Port Other the Port of hotdogs in to addition and hamburgers to side dishes all. free will be of the Columbia-Snakeor drawbacks River benefits picnic A System. lunch Tent” where anyone questions can ask the about river experts the venues Among an “Answertivities. will be ac and kids’ food music, free include will happening p.m. 3 Snake 11 River dams. The to a.m. vocating breaching for the four river system who have ad been is to of the critics designed rebut event family-friendly The Road. 1753 Marina, and Park Park Granite MayFestival held 20 to be at Boyer Snake the first Riverfund Family Commission Grain is helping (WGC) Snake River System, the Washington tions that on the depend Columbia- In association with six other organiza thereBe or beware crop of 18.3 million tons a62 of wheat, percent increase in production. in 2015. that to number grow. In 2016/17, Expect Argentina arecord produced creased 138 percent to 10 million tons metric (mmt) in 2016 mmt 4.2 up from of wheat in are in back the wheat-growing game.country’s farmers Exports and the quota, by training, anMacri, engineer has removed the export fewer in acres. But 2015, amarket-oriented president over. took Mauricio by planting responded farmers wheat Argentinian wheat. on quota export prices low Argentina, by food to imposing an attempted keep domestic For nearly eight years, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, then-president of Watch out! New competitor ahead

APRIL2017 - - - - - sumer confusion healthy about eating.” isdrug misleading to and will add only con way in the same as any addictive be can that idea any including cheese, food, “The crack comment, continued, he the dairy for recommendations.”rated and sodium fat As healthy total eating satu fat, plan meeting of a part be can in “Cheese moderation said, the council’s As point. chief science officer view another has Council Dairy National toof numerous say, diseases. Needless the risk the and gain weight including problems writes that contributes cheese to health who Medicine, Responsible for Committee physician Physicians the president of and Vaseline,”it would be wrote Barnard, a were any cheese “If worse, nursing babies. that have reward opiate for molecules—a with hormones itis also sprinkled steak, in and has than sodium cholesterol more high with calories, is loaded not only cheese “dairy crack.” Barnard, the author, Neal said made from concentratedthe products milk, Weight, Healthy,” and Energy Get Gain calls Youa Surprising Will Help Addiction Lose Trap: Cheese “The How Breaking new book, Sugar.” Now, is in cheese the crosshairs. A Against Case “The the focus of abook, of sugarBrain.” were recently drawbacks The and “Grain Belly” as “Wheat such books the slams about gluten on knows through inof course, the wheat industry anybody and carbohydrates then microscope, the Eggs meat. red under subsequently came on Perhaps with attacks itbegan all started. it when knows Who contracts. with book anymore, at according least to “experts” forIt’s official. Nothingyou good to is eat Cheese hit - - - WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION 51 WL - APRIL 2017

WGC REVIEWWGC WHEAT LIFE WHEAT , WSU’s barley, WSU’s A new kindA new barley of feedA new barley variety recommended was that University’s (WSU) State Washington for release by put to Variety Release Committee has potential the wheat. with Kevin rotations many back into crop the Murphy the developed breeder, IMI be to barley to tolerant one- the like herbicides two-geneand Clearfield wheat varieties on grown of thousands of hundreds acres in The Washington. barley variety, aptly named intended not is Survivor, be sprayed and to grown herbicide barley’s the IMI the with herbicide. Rather, chemical of process a through developed tolerance, be a rotation in it to grown allow mutagenesis, will hostedpreviously Clearfield has that on land wheat. two-year the back restriction plant now, onUntil had effectively Beyond with sprayed land sidelined acres. on many a rotation barley as - Mike Miller, chairman of the Washington Grain Commission, addresses the audience during a falling numbers panel at Spokane Expo Ag in February. Listening are panel participants (from left) Jessup, grain Ty merchandiser for Central Washington Grain Growers; Don Potts, regional manager of the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s grain inspection program; and Arron Carter, Washington State University winter wheat breeder. - - - -

, the meteorologist, the been who has

Lorenzo ServitjeLorenzo one was four partners of bread- who set a tiny up name, The company’s baking Mexico in City business 1945. in Today, Bambi”. and “bingo” words the of a combination was Bimbo, such owns and world the in largest the bread baker is company the Its Harvest Entenmann’s. and Sara Nature’s Lee, as brands iconic Servitje billion. Bimbo as retired chair totaled $12.3 salesyear last He died Mexico in City He 98. was February. in 1994. in man Death of a bread visionary a bread Death of

ing of the Pacific Northwest Farm Forum forFarm Northwest Pacific the of ing expecting decades, is three nearly spring the be to drier warmer and summer aver and than butage, based has on precipitation the that optimis season, he’s growing fallenalready this it through farmers’tic make will crops wheat harvestto good in As in shape. for planting an to Listen matter. another that’s well, fall, the interview About Douglas with on Wheat the All podcast, It! episode “The your download it to to Elements Go wagrains.org Speak.” to 10, smartphone computer. or it on stream your Good news/bad news news/bad Good Art Douglas open long-range the at forecast his presenting

counts in 2016. Individual farmers have reported farmers Individual have losing 2016. in counts damage dollars, of thousands of total the and hundreds be Grain Commission never known.may The Washington making(WGC) tackled has no other, problem the like lobby on behalf to D.C., Washington, to trips multiple the solutions. just And it’s not research fundingof to have TheWGC! Oregon Idaho and commissions wheat Association National the have signed help as onalso to U.S. and Wheatof Growers Wheat The Associates. plan One seeks approach parallel initiatives. increasedinvolves Congressional funding for the Agricultural Research Service soft address to quality wheat The white issues. ad to for Food Agriculture and Institute National the through be to made available for more resources pushing involves other 9 a Feb. informed At being constituents progress the priority. of another made is Keeping WGC’s the issues. LMA PHS and dress joined Don were by Potts, Miller, Mike and Jessup numberfalling panel Spokane during Expo, Ag Ty two commissioners, WGC University winter State Grain Inspection Washington State Arron Carter, and Division, regional Washington the manager of about talk numbers to falling from perspective the breeder, wheat expertise. their of each of can Their be in heard presentations Carter. to largely devoted is two Potts. and episodes Jessup podcast, the includes of 13 Episode “Wheat About All It!” 12 Episode smartphone your download them to to Go wagrains.org computer. or to them on stream your Falling forums numbers wheatThere rarely been has Eastern an Washington Late as attention much gotten as has phenomenon that Maturity Alpha and (LMA) Amylase preharvest sprout And no wonder! Grain impacted either—or by (PHS). both—resulted numbers falling low in heavy and dis 52 WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION WHEAT LIFE ity time, mixing tests, loaf volume and ash curves, which which volume loaf tests, curves, ash and mixing time, ity work.” good up equivalent of the “keep the end with quality about white customers soft with discussions most cases, In millers. with Pacificoverseas Northwest at meetings have white for wheat soft (and the red) in hard grown they praise the against juxtaposed often is areas many wheat spring in red hard and winter red of hard quality had to unload. and around was turned train the a110-car stuff, of shuttle the were outfound getting they quality. in poor poor, when So acustomer fact, that in but very widelywheat yielding, is adapted that high and soybeans. and corn against basis to compete acre more on aper effectively order in of quality wheat expense at yields the increase TierMidwest have states Northern and felt to pushed some wheat the as in breeders opposite occurred has the Northwest. fact, just the In emphasis as quality their with over time. class market of each aggregate quality the to increase is reason second focus,” he said,adding the we haven’t them to reassure also and lost our on quality focus for the growers our to keep asignal is over time incrementally bar the raising that know them ers, letting reasons. of couple for a classes of the for all were raised targets the said (WGC) Commission Grain Washington 2009, since the there’s designation. anew quality standards—and more stringent under the fall classes wheat wheat For 2017 class. the remaining the brochure, white soft for the parameters quality the voted to stiffen Pacificcommissions Northwestgrain andthree wheat Yates ScottBy A. Imitation issincerest form of flattery PREFERRED VARIETY BROCHURE BEING ADOPTED BY OTHERS ADOPTED BEING BROCHURE VARIETY PREFERRED Specific measures for red wheat quality include forstabil red wheat quality measures Specific declining the with unhappiness customer Export developed Kansas recently of a story the recalls Herron have proactive as not been country of the parts Other custom message to our apolitical “One was strictly on acommissioner as who Herron, served Dana has For 2016 the Variety (PVB), Brochure Preferred the

APRIL2017 - R - W

2017 Quality Rankings ASHINGT up the overall quality of the region,” of he said. the overall quality up the ratchet that’s (quality) up hopefully the higher and list one the choose to do to is them what asking point, we are At that farm. may on grow their they varieties different varieties. quality highest very the only isn’t PVB the said growing into intended to force farmers in,” said. he comfort finding that’s whatpeople are think and I definable are metrics, level These is. quality random what datathe deciding atable with around of people sitting abunch not just results. the in great confidence of a deal him gives metrics specific scientifically, to according assessed are varieties that to evaluate Northwest uses quality. the cations The fact specifi of the details the with them by providing speed up get to regions helping other been has Agriculture, (ARS) U.S. Service of of the Research Department Agricultural Lab of Western the Wheatthe Quality said. well,”as Wirsching wheatWe’re spring involved Montana getting also accordingly. varieties the to rank and ble list the to assem methodology statistical asimilar used year. this it again year, last they’re list and doing variety ferred put apre together Minnesota and Dakota of USW’sdirector Portland office, said North states. other approached in be can issue a model of howquality the Northwest’s holding up the been as PVB lately,years, and has organization the for several alarm the sounded has U.S.time. (USW) Wheat Associates for some have falling been generally “Everybody generally flips a coin over two or three “Everybody twothree overcoin flips a generally or past, Engle the in out pointed times many he has As data and hard actual solid numbers, are “These Doug development Engle, cultivar at manager they and were successful, very they “I think president vice and Steve Wirsching,

Varieties are listed by statistical quality rankings by class. When EP making a decision between varieties with similar agronomic characteristics and grain yield potential, choose the variety with the higher quality ranking. This will help to increase the overall quality and desirability of Pacific Northwest (PNW) wheat. Most Desirable (MD)— weights, appropriate protein content (kernel properties), and excellent milling and end-use properties. Desirable (D)— varieties range from good to very good. The quality attributes of these varieties are desirable in international trade. Acceptable (A)— varieties range from acceptable to good. Individual varieties may possess minor flaws. The quality attributes of these varieties are acceptable in international trade. Least Desirable (LD)— characteristics for this class of wheat. The intrinsic quality of PNW wheat will be improved if these varieties are not planted. ON GRAINC Unacceptable Except Customer-Specific Uses (UCS)— more critical flaws in quality are present in these varieities and will not make suitable products for this class of wheat. Production of these varieties should be targeted to specific end-uses and kept strictly segregated from general commercial channels. The kernel, milling, and end-use qualities of these These rankings are based on the results of the Genotype and Environment Study (G&E)

Western Wheat Quality Laboratory, the Washington State Univeristy These varieties generally have high test OR Wheat Quality Program, the University of Idaho Wheat Quality The kernel, milling, and end-use qualities of these Laboratory, and the Oregon State University Cereal Quality Laboratory, including relevant breeding nurseries. End-use quality determinations were based on results from grain, milling and product quality tests. The quality scores presented here reflect a minimum of three years’ data in the G&E study, using a reference variety for each class. The scores are reviewed yearly as new data becomes available, and are subject to change. Varieties not listed have not been tested or have less than three years of data. For complete results, please visit the website: These varieties have displayed low quality www.wsu.edu/~wwql/php/index.php For agronomic information, please consult: 1) the Washington State Crop Improvement Association Certified Seed Buying Guide; 2) WSU Uniform Cereal Variety Testing Program (http://variety.wsu.edu); 3) North Idaho Extension Cereals Program (http://cals.uidaho.edu/cereals/nidaho); 4) Oregon Elite Yield Trials (http://cropandsoil.oregonstate.edu/wheat/ state_performance_data.htm). quality testing conducted by the USDA OMMISSION TS -

One or -

Washington Grain Commission

2702 West Sunset Blvd, Suite A Spokane, WA 99224 - (509) 456-2481 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.wagrains.org

Oregon Wheat Commission

1200 NW Naito Pkwy, #370 Portland, OR 97209-2879 (503) 467-2161 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.owgl.org

Idaho Wheat Commission

821 West State St Boise, ID 83702-5832 (208) 334-2353 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.idahowheat.org

USDA Western Wheat Quality Lab

Craig Morris, Lab Director Doug Engle, Lab Manager (509) 335-4062 E-mail: [email protected] Preferred Wheat Varieties is provided courtesy of: TheWebsite: Washington www.wsu.edu/~wwql Grain Commission, the Oregon Wheat Commission, and the Idaho Wheat Commission. The G and E Study is financially supported by the WGC, OWC, and IWC.

Washington Oregon North Idaho WGC REPORTS WL

Glen Squires, now CEO of the WGC, was an analyst for “Although we believed growing quality wheat variet- the organization who helped the ARS establish the first ies was the future of the industry, there was no way to quality parameters. He said there have been growing tell when we started whether the PVB would get any pains over the 14 years since the first PVB was published, traction. Of course, now we look prescient because qual- but looking back, he believes it has set the Northwest on ity has become so important to our customers. We are 2017 Quality Rankings a quality trajectory that bodes well for the future. definitely leading the pack,” he said. Varieties are listed by statistical quality rankings by class. When making a decision between varieties with similar agronomic characteristics and grain yield potential, choose the variety with the higher quality ranking. This will help to increase the overall quality and desirability of Pacific Northwest (PNW) wheat. Quality costs, Most Desirable (MD)— weights, appropriate proteinThese content varieties (kernel generally properties), have highand excellenttest Washington Grain Commission milling and end-use properties. 2702 West Sunset Blvd, Suite A but it also pays Spokane, WA 99224 In the Washington Grain Commission Desirable (D)— (509) 456-2481

The kernel, milling, and end-use qualities of these WASHINGTON COMMISSION GRAIN varieties range from good to very good. The quality attributes of these E-mail: [email protected] (WGC) budget, you’ll find a $68,175 line varieties are desirable in international trade. Website: www.wagrains.org Washington item for something called the G & E Acceptable (A)— Oregon study, which stands for Genotype and The kernel, milling, and end-use qualities of these Washington varieties range from acceptable to good. Individual varieties may Washington Grain Commission North Idaho Environment. The funding, which goes possess minor flaws. The quality attributes of these varieties are 2702 West Sunset Blvd, Suite A Spokane, WA 99224 Oregon to the Western Wheat Quality Lab in acceptable in 2017international trade. Quality Rankings (509) 456-2481 Least Desirable (LD)—Varieties are listed by statistical quality rankings by class. When E-mail: [email protected] North Idaho Pullman, Wash., is for analysis and evalu- making a decision between varieties with similar agronomic Oregon WheatWebsite: Commission www.wagrains.org characteristics for this classThese of wheat. varieties The haveintrinsic displayed quality low of PNW quality ation of the quality of Pacific Northwest characteristics and grain yield potential, choose the variety with the 1200 NW Naito Pkwy, #370 wheat will be improved ifhigher these qualityvarieties ranking. are not This planted. will help to increase the overall quality and wheat varieties grown in different environ- These varieties generally have high test Portland, OR 97209-2879 Unacceptable Except Customer-Specificdesirability of Pacific UsesNorthwest (UCS)— (PNW) wheat. (503) 467-2161 ments. The release of the information in the more critical flaws in quality Mostare present Desirable in these (MD)— varieities and will E-mail: [email protected] Preferred Variety Brochure (PVB) is the last not make suitable products for weights,this class appropriate of wheat. proteinProduction contentOne of (kernelthese or properties), and excellent Website: www.owgl.org varieties should be targeted to specificmilling andend-uses end-use Theand properties. kernel,kept strictly milling, and end-use qualities of these Oregon Wheat Commission step in that process. 1200 NW Naito Pkwy, #370 Desirable (D)— segregated from general commercial channels. Portland, OR 97209-2879 The first PVB was published in 2003, but varieties range from good to very good. The quality attributes of these These rankings are based on the results of the Genotype and (503) 467-2161 varieties are desirableThe in internationalkernel, milling, trade. and end-use qualities of these before that, six years were spent on establish- Environment Study (G&E) E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.owgl.org ing what to measure and how much weight Western Wheat Quality Laboratory, quality testing the WashingtonAcceptable conducted (A)—by State the UniveristyUSDA varieties range from acceptable to good. Individual varieties may Wheat Quality Program, the University of Idaho Wheat Quality Idaho Wheat Commission to put on each component. Data is based on possess minor flaws. The quality attributes of these varieties are These varieties have displayed low821 quality West State St Laboratory, and the Oregon State University acceptableCereal Quality in international Laboratory, trade. an average of three crop years, and the overall including relevant breeding nurseries. Boise, IDOne 83702-5832 or Least Desirable (LD)— (208) 334-2353 quality score is determined by an array of fac- End-use quality determinations were based on resultscharacteristics from grain, for this class of wheat. The intrinsic qualityE-mail: of PNW [email protected] tors, each assigned a level of importance. milling and product quality tests. wheat will be improved if these varieties are not planted.Website: www.idahowheat.org Idaho Wheat Commission 821 West State St Six key components of grain, such as test The quality scores presented here reflect a minimum Unacceptableof three years’ Exceptdata Customer-Specific Uses (UCS)— Boise, ID 83702-5832 in the G&E study, using a reference variety for each class.more The critical scores flaws are in quality are present in these varieities and will (208) 334-2353 weight and protein, are assigned a value of 10 not make suitable products for this class of wheat. Production of these reviewed yearly as new data becomes available, and are subject to E-mail: [email protected] varieties should be targeted to specific end-uses and kept strictly Website: www.idahowheat.org percent. Milling attributes are assigned a value change. Varieties not listed have not been tested or have lesssegregated than from general commercial channels. of 30 percent. Baking properties are the heavy three years of data. For complete results, please visit the website: quality testing conducted by the USDA These rankings are based on the resultsUSDA of the Genotype Western and Wheat Quality Lab hitter with 60 percent of a variety or line’s quality www.wsu.edu/~wwql/php/index.php Environment Study (G&E) Craig Morris, Lab Director Western Wheat Quality Laboratory, the Washington State Univeristy score. That’s because while milling properties are For agronomic information, please consult: 1) the Washington State Crop Doug Engle, Lab Manager Wheat Quality Program, the University(509) of Idaho 335-4062 Wheat Quality important, they can be altered by changing the Improvement Association Certified Seed Buying Guide; 2) WSU UniformLaboratory, and the Oregon State University Cereal Quality Laboratory, USDA Western Wheat Quality Lab E-mail: [email protected] Craig Morris, Lab Director mill flow or adding more equipment. Poor baking Cereal Variety Testing Program (http://variety.wsu.edu); 3) North Idahoincluding relevant breeding nurseries. Extension Cereals Program (http://cals.uidaho.edu/cereals/nidaho); Website: www.wsu.edu/~wwql Doug Engle, Lab Manager End-use quality determinations were based on results from grain, (509) 335-4062 properties, however, are largely unfixable. 4) Oregon Elite Yield Trials (http://cropandsoil.oregonstate.edu/wheat/ milling and product quality tests. E-mail: [email protected] state_performance_data.htm). Website: www.wsu.edu/~wwql The new PVB designation, which is abbrevi- The quality scores presentedPreferred here reflect Wheat a Varietiesminimum ofis three provided years’ courtesy data of: The Washington ated as “UCS” means “Unacceptable Except for in the G&E study, usingGrain a reference Commission, variety for the each Oregon class. Wheat The scores Commission, are and the Idaho reviewed yearly as newWheat Commission. data becomes available, and are subject to Customer-Specific Uses.” The definition of the term change. Varieties Thenot listedG and have E Study not been is financially tested or have supported less than by the WGC, OWC, and IWC. Preferred Wheat Varieties is provided courtesy of: The Washington includes wheat varieties with “one or more critical three years of data. For complete results, please visit the website: Grain Commission, the Oregon Wheat Commission, and the Idaho Wheat Commission. flaws in quality” that will not make “suitable prod- www.wsu.edu/~wwql/php/index.php The G and E Study is financially supported by the WGC, OWC, and IWC. For agronomic information, please consult: 1) the Washington State Crop uct for this class of wheat.” There are times, however, Improvement Association Certified Seed Buying Guide; 2) WSU Uniform milling companies desire specific characteristics found Cereal Variety Testing Program (http://variety.wsu.edu); 3) North Idaho in a particular variety, which is why the next line Extension Cereals Program (http://cals.uidaho.edu/cereals/nidaho); 4) Oregon Elite Yield Trials (http://cropandsoil.oregonstate.edu/wheat/ states, “Production of these varieties should be targeted state_performance_data.htm). to specific end uses and kept strictly segregated from general commercial channels.”

WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 53 WL WGC REPORTS

2017 Quality Rankings

Varieties are listed by statistical quality SOFT WHITE WINTER HARD WHITE WINTER1 rankings by class. When making a decision Bobtail ...... OSU ...... MD UI Silver ...... UI ...... MD between varieties with similar agronomic Brundage96 . . . . . UI ...... MD Darwin ...... UI ...... MD characteristics and grain yield potential, BrundageCF . . . . . UI ...... MD MDM ...... WSU ...... A choose the variety with the higher qual- ARS-Amber ...... ARS ...... MD Palomino ...... SY ...... LD ity ranking. This will help to increase the Kaseberg ...... OSU ...... MD HARD RED SPRING overall quality and desirability of Pacific Bruneau ...... UI ...... MD Northwest (PNW) wheat. Hollis ...... WSU ...... MD Ladd ...... OSU ...... MD SY605 CL ...... SY ...... MD Most Desirable (MD)—These varieties Puma ...... WSU ...... MD Alum ...... WSU ...... MD generally have high test weights, appropri- WSU UI Huffman . . .WSU UI ...... MD SY Steelhead . . . . SY ...... MD ate protein content (kernel properties), and WB-Junction . . . . .WB ...... MD Glee ...... WSU ...... MD excellent milling and end-use properties. Jasper ...... WSU ...... MD Chet ...... WSU ...... MD Desirable (D)—The kernel, milling, and ARS-Selbu ...... ARS ...... D WB-Fuzion . . . . . WB ...... MD end-use qualities of these varieties range Mary ...... OSU ...... D LCS Luna ...... LCS ...... MD from good to very good. The quality at- ORCF101 ...... OSU ...... D Winchester . . . . . UI ...... D tributes of these varieties are desirable in Masami ...... WSU ...... D LCS Iron ...... LCS ...... D Bullseye ...... SY ...... D international trade. LCS Drive ...... LCS ...... D SY Ovation ...... SY ...... D Jefferson ...... UI ...... D Acceptable (A)—The kernel, milling, Skiles ...... OSU ...... D Kelse ...... WSU ...... D and end-use qualities of these varieties Jedd ...... WB ...... A UI Sparrow ...... UI ...... D range from acceptable to good. Individual WB 9879CLP . . . . WB ...... A WB 523 ...... WB ...... D varieties may possess minor flaws. The Buck Pronto . . . . . LCS ...... A Legion ...... SY ...... D quality attributes of these varieties are ac- HARD RED WINTER ceptable in international trade. Eltan ...... WSU ...... D Norwest Duet . . . . OSU/LCS ...... D WB-Arrowhead . . . .WB ...... MD Least Desirable (LD)—These varieties WB-528 ...... WB ...... D Eddy ...... WB ...... MD have displayed low quality characteristics Otto ...... WSU ...... D Sprinter ...... WSU ...... MD for this class of wheat. The intrinsic quality Stephens ...... OSU ...... D UI SRG ...... UI ...... MD Whetstone ...... SY ...... MD of PNW wheat will be improved if these SY Assure ...... SY ...... A Norwest 553 . . . . . OSU ...... D varieties are not planted. ORCF103 ...... OSU ...... A Buchanan ...... WSU ...... D Unacceptable Except Customer- Madsen ...... ARS ...... A LCS Evina ...... LCS ...... D Specific Uses (UCS)—One or more critical LCS Artdeco . . . . . LCS ...... A Farnum ...... WSU ...... D flaws in quality are present in these variet- Mela CL+ ...... WSU ...... A LCS Jet ...... LCS ...... A ies and will not make suitable products Rosalyn ...... OSU ...... A Keldin ...... WB ...... A for this class of wheat. Production of these WB1604 ...... WB ...... A Rimrock ...... WB ...... A varieties should be targeted to specific ORCF102 ...... OSU ...... A Esperia. Societa Produttori Sementi Spa . . .A end uses and kept strictly segregated from WB-1070CL ...... WB ...... A LCS Colonia ...... LCS ...... A general commercial channels. Curiosity CL+ . . . . .WSU ...... A LCS Azimut ...... LCS ...... A

WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION WASHINGTON WB1529 ...... WB ...... A Residence ...... Cebeco ...... UCS SOFT WHITE SPRING Goetze ...... OSU ...... A Estica ...... Cebeco ...... UCS UI Stone ...... UI ...... MD WB-1066CL ...... WB ...... A Symphony ...... Tanio Tech . . . . .UCS Tekoa ...... WSU ...... MD AP700CL ...... SY ...... A Diva ...... WSU ...... MD CLUB WB 456 ...... WB ...... LD WB6341 ...... WB ...... MD ARS-Crescent . . . . .ARS ...... MD Xerpha ...... WSU ...... LD Louise ...... WSU ...... MD Cara ...... ARS ...... MD Tubbs06 ...... OSU ...... LD Alturas ...... UI ...... MD Chukar ...... ARS ...... MD SY107 ...... SY ...... LD Ryan ...... WSU ...... MD ARS-Pritchet . . . . . ARS ...... D Seahawk ...... WSU ...... MD HARD WHITE SPRING1 ARS-Chrystal . . . . .ARS ...... D Whit ...... WSU ...... MD UI Platinum ...... UI ...... MD Bruehl ...... WSU ...... D Babe ...... WSU ...... MD WB-Hartline . . . . . WB ...... D Coda ...... ARS ...... D Nick ...... WB ...... D Dayn ...... WSU ...... D SPRING CLUB Cataldo ...... UI ...... D LCS Star ...... LCS ...... A Melba ...... WSU ...... MD WB-1035CL+ . . . . .WB ...... UCS BR7030. . . .Arizona Plant Breeders . . . .UCS JD ...... WSU ...... MD

WSU . Washington State University ARS . . . Agricultural Research Service LCS . .Limagrain Cereal Seeds UI . . University of Idaho SY . . Syngenta OSU . Oregon State University WB . .WestBred/Monsanto

1Hard white wheats are scored for export quality requirements such as bread quality and potential noodle quality.

54 WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 WGC REPORTS WL Extension in the information age

By Rich Koenig your hip and even on your wrist. Amazing. On the Associate Dean of Washington State University Extension, day I wrote this article, a Google search of “wheat” Interim Chair of the Departments of Crop and Soil Sciences returned 190 million hits; a search of “dryland wheat” and Horticulture narrowed this down to 495,000, and “dryland wheat in It’s hard for me to believe I began my career in aca- eastern Washington” narrowed the options further to demia more than 20 years ago (circa 1995) with Utah only 48,500. Light reading? Let’s go a little further. You State University Extension. In this brief span of time, the can now access thousands of primary research articles way Extension professionals communicate with farm- from leading scientific journals, generate precision yield ers has changed dramatically. In 1995, the internet was and protein data from sensors on board your combine, revolutionary, though data transfer speeds were pain- download the entire wheat genome (yes, all 16 billion fully slow; my mobile phone was a brick and not the least points) and real-time and archived data for grain mar- WASHINGTON COMMISSION GRAIN bit smart; Extension professionals packed 35mm slides kets, weather and a host of other data important to your and a noisy projector to display them; and we printed business. Information overload? everything. There were a lot more farmers and industry The issue today is not access to information but how consultants back then and more Extension professionals to sort and filter the enormous volumes of data avail- to support them. I spent much of my time on the road able to you. Increasingly, the role of today’s Extension and on the phone communicating in person, and I pub- professional is to do just that—add value by helping you lished hundreds of bulletins, fact sheets and reports. sort through millions of data points and references to Today, you can access information from anywhere interpret and identify the respectable ones and improve in digital form from “computers” in your hand, on the quality of decisions you make on the farm. One way

(Above) Ryan Higginbotham at a variety testing plot tour. (Below) Arron (Above) Drew Lyon in a field of winter canola near Ritzville. (Below) Mike Carter demonstrating a technique. Pumphrey demonstrates a technique for students.

WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 55 WL WGC REPORTS

time. Farmers and/or their decision-makers (i.e., crop consultants) are busy and either want information in small doses or need an in-depth answer to a specific problem. This poses a dilemma for us, since the complexity of today’s problems and the availability of data don’t lend themselves to a brief or simple answer. In this regard, no matter how we advance in the use of communication tools, there will be no substitute for interactive communication. Two-way dialogue remains the best way to fully define a problem and a relevant solution.

Aaron Esser at a field day.

to do this is with decision support systems—interactive tools that link The Washington State University Dryland Cropping Systems Team (from left) are Randy Fortenbery, Aaron Esser, Haiying Tao, Tim Murray, Steve Van Vleet, Drew Lyon, Dale Whaley, the latest research with real- or Paul Carter and Ryan Higginbotham. Other members of the team not pictured can be found near real-time data (ideally from on the team’s website at smallgrains.wsu.edu. your farm) to assist you in making better decisions. A few examples Dryland Cropping Systems team serves you of these decision tools are high- Formed in 2013, the Washington State University (WSU) Extension lighted on page 57, featuring recent Dryland Cropping Systems team develops and delivers timely informa- products from the Washington tion to Eastern Washington dryland farmers and industry profession- State University (WSU) Extension als. Led by Drew Lyon, endowed chair in Small Grains Extension and Dryland Cropping Systems team. Research, the 14-member team composed of WSU Extension and research WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION WASHINGTON More info can be found on the web- scientists and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Research site at smallgrains.wsu.edu. Service personnel is coming off of a productive year in 2016, including Extension professionals add the third offering of the highly acclaimed and thrice sold-out Wheat value in other ways. Increasingly, Academy; enhanced features for the wheat and small grains website we are doing and extending ap- (smallgrains.wsu.edu) including a national, award-winning video series plied research, and often doing it on soil acidification; new decision support tools on herbicide modes of ac- with you, on your farms. We are tion and nitrogen management; the ever-popular Wheat Variety Selection still a trusted source of information Tool; grain marketing tools; and timely information on falling numbers that is research-based and reviewed and grain quality. In 2017, the team plans to expand the portfolio of deci- by our peers. We rarely print things sion tools by adding a seeding rate calculator, complete the soil acidifica- anymore, instead relying on the tion publication series and explore audio or video podcasts (inspired by internet and, increasingly, other Scott Yates). forms of media to communicate. In recognition of its accomplishments, the Dryland Cropping Systems In the future, don’t be surprised to team was selected to receive the 2017 Interdisciplinary Team Award from see virtual crop tours, video and the WSU College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences. audio podcasts and Facebook posts The team, along with other award winners, will be recognized at a recep- coming your way. One challenge tion on April 11 in Pullman. Go Cougs! we face is competition for your

56 WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 WGC REPORTS WL

Tools of the new trade The following examples highlight the portfolio of modern communication tools used by the WSU Dryland Cropping Systems team to communicate with Washington farmers and crop consultants. These tools can be accessed via the internet or on any mobile device from smallgrains.wsu.edu. Timely topics feature stories on falling numbers and grain quality, snow mold, a grower’s experi- WASHINGTON COMMISSION GRAIN ence with variable rate nitrogen application and more. The WSU Extension learning library includes hundreds of The Small Grains Extension website is the portal to Washington State publications in these popular University’s information on dryland production systems. This comprehensive, and accessible formats: internet, mobile-enabled site is the doorway to multimedia content from Extension’s mobile and portable document learning library. format (pdf) versions.

The Wheat Variety Selection tool is one decision support system that enables farmers and consultants to sort through the thousands of data The soil pH and acidification video series is a three- points gener- part series introducing the subject of soil acidifica- ated by the tion and how it impacts soil properties and crop WSU Uniform yields in the Pacific Northwest. Additional video Cereal Variety series and integrated print and video content are Testing coming. Program to select varieties that fit a specific management situation or production goal. Is stripe rust a problem? Snow mold? Protein? Sort and screen for varieties that resist a specific disease or maximize yield or protein. Additional decision support tools address wheat marketing and economics; allow you to conduct a post-harvest evaluation of nitrogen management; understand herbicide modes of action and selection to avoid developing resistance; and various convenient calculators to aid in decision-making.

WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 57 58 WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION WHEAT LIFE earlier levels. earlier 2016/17, below still are imports in ayear-over-yearwith increase shows and several even years that over last wheat the activity import U.S. year.last 1illustrates Figure exceed USDA will imports projects wheat in reduction imports, March year). marketing Even the this with U.S.wheat to the imported to be of white bushels about 6million white wheat (USDA expects still even and durum spring, red hard winter, red of wheat hard including It issues. covers most classes quality due Canada to from imports in reduction expected an comes from reduced import number primarily The bushels. of 10stocks million ending expected in areduction in WASDE, March resulted this and the in year bushels by 10 million for this wheat estimate import year. marketing of the balance the aweek through bushels million about to export 27 need we will USDA the match projection, export (WASDE).Estimates order In to Supply Demand and Agricultural World March the in forecast export USDAthis, did not adjust their 2017. March and February Despite in projection year export marketing of volumes USDA’s to meet needed year.the However, short fell they of half first the through projections (USDA) of Agriculture Department 2017), U.S. with line in performed soon clarify to expected fundamentals Mixed W USDA U.S. total did reduce their WASHINGTON COMMISSION GRAIN

APRIL2017 HEAT through May 31,through 1,year (June 2016, marketing current for the exports Fortenbery T.By Randall U.S. wheat shows average level the by major prices farm through wheat monthly class year wheat about to be price domestic 2 $3.85 marketing bushel. Figure per year’s last than level, USDA aresult, higher as and average the anticipates leaves U.S. about projected 15.5 still wheat stocks report ending percent March USDA The the projection. year price in did notber lead to achange marketing 1985/86 the since num year. stocks reduced ending the aresult, As marketing level largest ofnumber, wheat stocks the USDA ending forecasting still is U.S. farm level wheat prices ($/bushel)Figure prices 2: wheat level U.S. farm Figure 1: (thousand bushels) U.S. imports wheat 3.00 3.20 3.40 3.60 3.80 4.00 4.20 4.40 4.60 4.80 5.00 100,000 120,000 140,000 160,000 180,000 200,000 20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000 Despite reducing the U.S. ending stocks estimate relative to the February February relative to the estimate U.S.Despite the stocks reducing ending 0 W June 2012/13 July ATCH Hard RedWinter August 2013/14 Soft RedWinter September 2014/15 October Hard RedSpring November 2015/16 White December 2016/17 January - WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION 59 WL - - - - - APRIL 2017

WHEAT WATCH WHEAT LIFE WHEAT holds the By theBy time this article appears otherThe important release data Randy Fortenbery Randy Thomas B. in Mick Endowed Chair Washington at Economics Grain He received University. his State Agricultural in Economics fromPh.D. the University of Illinois-Urbana/ Champaign. in will print, we received have two that important updates data determinemay the direction of prices throughwheat the of end the first marketing The is the year. Quarterly Stocks Report which will been released have March on This estimates provides U.S. of 31. stocks inwheat held both commer However, tion in the April WASDE. since exports really fall not did off the necessary pace hit to the USDA export number until February, there be change no may in the April export projection if even WASDE stocks are greater than anticipated. the average not do if we However, million27 bushels export in wheat activity needed weekly through the the of end meet to year the current exportedexport just projection (we than millionmore 19 the end week see may an we ex ing March 10), port reduction in the WASDE. May is the March PlantingIntentions Report. This also a March had 31 Thisrelease report date. gives us an initial estimate of both spring wheat acres and corn acres the for next marketing be to planted (acres year this market The expects spring). a reduction in both last to relative plantings, and thisyear’s needs to be confirmed to minimize addi any tional risk the downside to market intogoing harvest. If both reports have we income neutral friendly, or seen the probably marketing year prices. wheat U.S. for lows cial storage facilitiescial storage and on-farm. If stocks larger than up end expected, then mightsee we an export reduc - - - - .000 50.000 100.000 150.000 200.000 250.000 300.000 The reduction in projected U.S. ending stocks for 2016/17 was offset was an by ending reduction inThe stocks projected 2016/17 U.S. for The increase in world production was partially was increase production The in offset world an by increase in pro currentThe bearish market more are dynamics a bit wheat than white for endingThe stocks increase a slight revision despite comes in expected Global ending stocks (million metric tons) metric stocks (million ending Global 3: Figure January 2017. While there has a recovery since of been the a bit market lows, January 2017. prices are still those below well the offered at start the of marketing with year, the hard of exception spring wheat. end increase expects now ending in stocks world the projection. world USDA ing stocks 250 million total to about metric tons 9 billion (thisis about bush els—Figure the estimate new 3 shows previous to years’ global ending relative While thisstocks). is an increase still it percent, only 0.5 of represents a very the of stocks Most increase level. burdensome is world explained increased by estimate production is March 2.8 percent higher (the world production world than increases the by led February in 1 percent rela estimate), Argentina (up the 2 percent). to tive earlier projection) and Australia (up jected consumption. largest The consumption increase India, whose for was total consumption increased was Increases percent. 1.3 also by were reported Philippines The Bangladesh, for and reductions Lebanon. Slight in expected On balance, and Venezuela. Turkey consumption reported the were for EU, marketing increased was year the for consumption 2016/17 wheat of world estimate. the to 1 percent compared Februaryabout WASDE picture.the wheat Unlike overall actually all classes, other wheat USDA increased their ending projected stocks wheat white this number for in year exceed to Ending excepted are stocks now wheat white for the March WASDE. ending stocks million100 bushels, an increase the 2015/16 percent over 36 of number. consumption increased was (domestic consumptiondomestic wheat white of This than more 1 million was about by offset a 5-million-bushel bushels). by marketing year. reduction in expected exports the wheat white for 2016/17 Export projections all for other classes changed either not were in March or the durumincreased. example, export For projection increased was 25 by withpercent, smaller increases also reported both for soft red winter and hard red spring wheat. WL FEATURE Outside my comfort zone Face-to-face meetings highlight the importance of farmers’ visits to Olympia

By Nick Schultheis WAWG Ambassador Two months ago, I had the opportunity to travel to Olympia and meet with legislators while advocating for the wheat industry. Prior to the trip, I didn’t know what to expect, but I soon realized how important our voices were to all of the wheat growers of Washington state. I was very surprised at how the majority of the elected officials were open to our message. Many of the legislators we met with were not familiar with the wheat industry, or even agriculture as a whole, so I was very impressed at how recep- tive they were to us. I had the opportunity to meet with six legislators, along with the governor, the director of the Washington State Department of Ecology and the director of Washington State Department of Agriculture. I was also able to watch the to how the decisions made in Olympia affect our fam- tail end of a hearing regarding nondefault termination of ily farm. Working for my uncle on the farm, I often don’t in-state agricultural land leases in Benton County. This think about how the actions in our state’s capital will was a new experience for me, because I had never seen a affect the industry. For example, our farm has built a fuel hearing before. There is proposed legislation that would containment structure due to recent government regula- extend the current 60-day notice of land termination to 180 tions. New regulations such as this increase costs to the days. farmer with no increase in profits. Another example is Even as a student ambassador, I was expected to speak how proposed carbon tax legislation could influence about the talking points that we determined were im- the price of fertilizer and fuel. With the low wheat price, portant at our dinner meeting with our lobbyist, Diana increased cost of fertilizer and fuel due to a carbon tax is Carlen. One example was when we met with Sen. Mark of great concern. Schoesler. Tessa and I were asked by the senator to present After our trip to Olympia I realized how critical it is for our assigned talking points and how those issues affect growers to be in good communication with their repre- the wheat industry. sentatives. By voicing our concerns, we can make certain This experience showed me that sometimes farm- that they will have the information needed to make good ers have to step outside of their comfort zone to educate decisions for the wheat industry. Before this trip, I never elected officials about the issues they face on a daily basis. gave much thought to how a legislative proposal could Typically, when you think of a farmer, you don’t picture impact the wheat industry so tremendously. I now know them in business attire, meeting with government offi- something such as the governor’s proposed budget could cials. However, without the insight of the farmers them- have the potential to drastically change the wheat indus- selves, government officials cannot be certain on how to try as a whole. protect the wheat industry. For this reason, it is important One of the biggest things that I came away with from that growers continue to voice their concerns by occasion- this trip to Olympia is the fact that agriculture is not just ally stepping away from their farms to discuss the major about growing crops or producing livestock. A major com- issues that concern the industry. ponent to agriculture is the work done behind the scenes. After meetings with legislators, my eyes were opened Meeting with government officials and making certain

60 WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 the agriculture industry is considered in any new legislation is very important. I have a newfound respect for the individuals that devote their time to fight for the industry day in and day out. Overall, a few of the highlights of this trip for me were Insurance for visiting the governor’s office, as well as the Senate floor with Sen. Schoesler. We also had the opportunity to get a Whatever You Grow special tour of the House chamber with Rep. Joe Schmick. It was a great privilege to meet with legislators from my Whether you raise cattle or grow nursery district as well as those from across the state. In the end, stock, row crops, grain, hay or fruit, I learned a lot from this trip to Olympia and feel privi- COUNTRY Financial® has got you covered. leged to be given the chance to represent the Washington Your local nancial representative can help Association of Wheat Growers. balance your need to protect what you have with your desire to build for the future. We o er great coverage for farm vehicles, too. Grow your own way with COUNTRY Financial.

Joe Shannon HOF Ellensburg (509) 933.3000

Laurie Mooney LUTCF FSS Wenatchee (509) 663.3800

15’, 26’, 30’ & 42’ Models 5026 ROTARY CUTTER James Penning LUTCF Hydraulic phasing 1000 RPM heavy-duty cylinders for level lift dive line Yakima Spring steel bushings Suspension for center (800) 741.6135 at all major pivots & wing frames Paul Koethke LUTCF Moses Lake (800) 689.9259

RS320 ROCK PICKER 3.2 Cubic yard hopper Superior rock picking performance

SRW 1400 ROCK WINDROWER

Policies issued by COUNTRY Mutual Insurance Company®, Bloomington, IL. - HO

WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 61 WL FEATURE A glimpse behind the plow Legislative visits reveal the work farmers do to protect industry By Tessa Jantz WAWG Ambassador Traveling to Olympia was an incred- ible opportunity, and I’m grateful to have participated in Olympia Days. I am fortunate to represent such a whole- some association. Olympia Days was an interesting learning experience, as I was able to learn more about the Washington Association of Wheat Growers and the issues Washington agriculture has been facing. I was able to see first hand what the WAWG does for the agricultural industry in Washington state. I was honored to be able to advocate for an industry that has been such an important and influential part of my life. Being in Olympia was such an educational experience and being able to see what it was like during the beginning of the 2017 Legislative Session was an opportunity I will never forget. it is like to have to defend your livelihood and the issues Although Eastern Washington was practically shut that will affect your daily life. This is what I was able to down by an ice storm, we were able to experience a experience during my trip. I’ve grown up around agricul- glimpse of spring in rainy Olympia. We walked around ture. I’ve grown up around people who value the need Capitol Hill from building to building to attend meetings for agriculture and see the importance of this in our lives. with representatives, senators and even Governor Jay So my opinion on the importance of agriculture is fairly Inslee himself. I was amazed by how the wheat growers strong, and this made advocating in Olympia easy for me handled these conversations, discussing various top- to jump on board with. I was interested to hear what the ics and issues. I was also impressed by their extensive wheat growers had to say, as well as the responses of those knowledge on all of these topics, but they have also been we met with. putting in so much work and time in trying to improve The surprising part of the trip to Olympia was discover- and fix these issues. I never knew what happened behind ing that there are those who aren’t very familiar with the the scenes and outside of the field, but I now understand agricultural industry and what farmers do. This surprised because of this opportunity. I’d be lying if I said that I me because of where I live and how I have been raised, knew what I was doing while I attended these meetings, in a place where our lives are all about agriculture, but I especially when Nick and I were put on the spot by Sen. learned that it isn’t necessarily the same across the pass. Mark Schoesler, but after leaving Olympia, I was proud to During the legislative reception dinner, I met a student say that I had learned a lot more about the issues facing that has been attending Washington State University- the agricultural industry and how the state of Washington Vancouver, but is now doing an internship at the Capitol. works to deal with them. I was able to have a conversation with her about why I Advocating for agriculture in Washington was a dif- was there, my scholarship and about the wheat indus- ferent experience than my work in the wheat field. All try. We talked about her internship, school and various farmers can relate to the satisfying feeling of being in the other topics, but we always came back to the topic of the wheat field early enough in the morning that it’s still cool wheat industry, and what it is like in Eastern Washington enough to wear a jacket, but not all farmers know what compared to where she had grown up on the western side

62 WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 of the state. I was privileged to talk about my lifestyle and how I had grown up and the importance of Now with this industry to me. This was a great Planetary experience to have the opportunity Drive to explain what my family does to someone who was very interested in learning. This added to my valuable experience while I attended Olympia Days and the time I have spent representing Washington as a wheat ambassador. My trip to Olympia was a great opportunity to learn more about agriculture in Washington state. From walking around Capitol Hill in a bad choice of footwear, to our sprint through SeaTac to catch our plane, I am glad to say that I learned NEW NITRO 6500 SERIES a lot from this trip, and I’m thank- The highest standard for power to the ground performance. ful to have been chosen one of the Washington Wheat Ambassadors. REVOLUTIONARY PROPULSION SYSTEM • GREATER TORQUE AT ALL SPEEDS • FULL TIME TRACTION CONTROL The all-new Miller NITRO 6500 features an • ELECTRONIC CRUISE CONTROL innovative electronically controlled twin • PROGRAMMABLE SPEED RANGES hydrostatic Sauer Danfoss pump system with • INTEGRATED SPEED LIMITING VISIT US AT electronically controlled variable displacement • ANTI-STALL FEATURE piston drive motors and Farifield Torque-Hub® planetary final drives. POWER WHEN YOU NEED IT The new propulsion system is seamlessly Powered by a proven Cummins® QSL 8.9L turbo www.wheatlife.org integrated to provide optimum drive performance. diesel with 380 (400 peak) horse power. Your Miller NITRO Dealer in the West YourPlease Miller call NITRO877-253-WEST Dealer in (9378) the West or MORE Please callGreg 887-253-WEST at 541-786-1000 (9378) or CalvinGreg 541-377-9378at 541-786-1000 sales INTERACTIVE 1201010200 Wallowa Wallowa Lake Lake Highway Highway 84083 Alpine84083 Ln Alpine Ln 378 Briar Place 378 Briar206 Place W Main St La Grande,La Grande, OR OR 97850 97850 Joseph, Joseph,OR 97846 OR 97846Belgrade, MT 59714Belgrade, Dayton, MT 59714 WA 99328 406-388-2335 509-382-3022 AG NEWS 541-963-9378 541-432-9378 WARRANTY FOREVER!* POWERTRAIN PROTECTION, FOREVER! New & Used

*See us for details

Omak Grand Coulee Pullman JessAutoFamily.com

WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 63 THE BOTTOM LINE Falling numbers and reporting requirements By Curtis Evanenko • Grade, U.S. No 5 and U.S. sample grade; McGregor Risk Management Services • DNS test weight less than 50 pounds and test weight less than 51 pounds for I don’t know that I can add any- all other wheat classes; thing to the plethora of conversa- • Sprout damage in excess of 15 percent; tions and articles already written about low falling numbers, yet I • Discounts for light smutty, smutty, garlicky or ergoty grade; believe it is prudent to share what is • Musty or sour odor; and required of the insured by the Multi- • Vomitoxin and Aflatoxin. Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI) policy to be compliant with said language. If you are not already aware, know that production is not eligible for dis- In part, this is due to the mostly un- counts for both sprout damage and falling numbers; only one of the discounts favorable experience many insureds can be taken and applied to harvested production. The policy allows for the had when dealing with the impact of insured to choose which discount to be applied/taken. falling numbers and the application The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Federal Grain Inspection Service uses of MPCI procedures for produc- the following measures for starch activity in wheat: tion reporting and determination if a payable loss exists. Frankly, the Falling number (seconds) Indication of starch damage MPCI policy did not perform as FN > 300 No starch damage hoped or expected. 300 > FN > 200 Some sprouting and other starch damage The MPCI policy does allow and provide for several quality adjust- 200 > FN Severe starch damage ments; however, protein is not a quality adjustment, and therefore, MPCI policy does allow and provide for Discount Factors (DF) to production there is no allowance or adjustment (reduction in production to count) for falling numbers. The DF is determined for protein levels too high (SWW by the falling number and according to the range established by the Risk 2015 crop) or too low (red wheats 2016 crop). The policy does provide Management Agency through research they’ve previously conducted. Note for additional discounts due to qual- there is no differentiation for wheat class or type, although some area elevators ity damage: may choose to differentiate by type. This occurred last fall to some growers whose DNS had a different falling number discount threshold than their soft white wheat—needless to say, more frustrated growers. Sponsored by the RMA’s falling number discount chart: Agricultural Marketing Falling number range Discount factor & Management 299-275 0.052 Organization. 274-250 0.087 For more information and 249-225 0.122 a schedule of classes visit 224-200 0.157 wawg.org/ammo-workshops/ Below 200 See Section B

If the falling number is below 200, i.e. off the chart, one must refer to Section B of the county actuarial for determining the DF: DFs included in section A are not used if production meets requirements under this section. For production that has a test weight below 44 pounds per bushel, a defects percentage above 35 percent or a falling number for wheat below 200 on the date of final in-

64 WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 THE BOTTOM LINE WL spection for the unit adjust production in the following manner: claims. I do not like the policy language either, but until 1. If sold to a disinterested third party prior to 60 days after the it is changed or modified, it is the procedure we must fol- calendar date for EOIP, the DF will be the sum of all reduc- low. I believe this requires the same honor system as used tions in value (RIV) applied by the buyer due to all insur- when filing federal income taxes—near and dear to all our able quality deficiencies, and that value divided by the local hearts…err pocketbooks. I wish you and yours a happy market price. Production receiving a RIV for sprout damage Easter and a safe spring season. will not also receive a RIV for falling number. Curtis Evanenko has more than 25 years of crop insurance ex- 2. For unsold production or production sold to other than a perience serving the Pacific Northwest from both the wholesale disinterested third party prior to 60 days after the calendar and retail sides of the business. He currently serves as a risk man- date for the EOIP, the DF will be .500 (unless you elect agement advisor with McGregor Risk Management. He can be to delay settlement as specified in the General Statements reached at (509) 540-2632 or at [email protected]. above). 3. If unsold 60 days after the calendar date for the EOIP, fed, utilized in any other manner or is sold to other than a disinterested third party, the DF will be .500. In effect, two things happen as outlined in Section B: • Any sold production prior to the loss adjustment will have production to count (harvested, sold bushels) reduced by the same factor as the third party paid for said bushels delivered. The RIV is a percentage of the price paid for sold bushels and the value of #2 wheat board price (local cash price). • Any unsold production that has a falling number below 200 will have a DF of .500; all bushels will be reduced by 50 percent for determination of payable loss and production reporting (actual production history). To that end, this is the policy language pursuant to production reporting requirements, from the Crop Insurance Handbook (CIH) Paragraph 1310 C: Production reported on the production report will be adjusted for moisture, foreign material, dockage, test weight, quality, grade, etc., on the same basis as claims for indemnities, see exceptions in B above, when acceptable records provide such information. However, if such information is not included on the acceptable production evidence, production will not be adjusted. Here is a paraphrased version of the same policy language indicating what is to be reported by the grower to the AIP (crop insurance company) via their agent: In accordance with the 2016 FCIC 18010 Crop Insurance Handbook (CIH) Paragraph 1310 C: production reported on the production report will be adjusted for quality on the same basis as claims for indemnities when acceptable records provide such information. If such information is not included on the acceptable production evidence, production will not be adjusted. The policyholder and the agent are required to sign production reports, both signatures certifying that the reported production is accurate and done as outlined by the policy. In order to maintain integrity of the crop insurance program, we all must be reporting production the same. If not, we have inaccurate production in the database, creat- ing erroneous production history that may lead to false

WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 65 Your wheat life...

Harvest 2016 at BRT Farms in Spring Valley. Photo by Anna Leitz

Stahley Overmyer (1) and her dad, Chad, waiting on a fill for the drills at AMSCO Farms in Harrington. Photo by Maddi Overmyer

Cousins (from left) Dylan (9), Tyson (3), Cole (9) and Ashlyn Email pictures to [email protected]. (1) playing on machinery while harvesting for grandpa (Bob Please include location of picture, names Taylor) by Kamiak Butte. of all people and ages of all children. Photo by Ali Taylor A harvest full moon over Columbia County. Photo by Jerry Moyer

Lunch break at JBS Farms in Waterville. From left are Chad Clements, Wyatt Mires, Landon Flaget, Mitch Clements and Dick Osborne. Photo by Jacque Clements HAPPENINGS

All dates and times are subject to change. MAY 2017 racing, team roping, junior events. Rodeo Please verify event before heading out. grounds, about halfway between Twisp 2-6 JUNIOR LIVESTOCK SHOW OF and Winthrop. methowvalleyrodeo.com APRIL 2017 SPOKANE. Spokane County Fair and Expo Center. juniorshow.org 29 WAITSBURG MEMORIAL DAY 1-2 SPRING FARMING DAYS. Horse, CELEBRATION. Presentation at the city mule and antique tractor farming on 13 6-7 RENAISSANCE FAIR. Music, en- cemetery honoring veterans. Waitsburg, acres. Activity starts at 9 a.m. both days. tertainment, food, arts and crafts and Wash. cityofwaitsburg.com/events.html Camping available. Garfield County maypole dances. East City Park, Moscow, Fairgrounds east of Pomeroy, Wash. Idaho. moscowrenfair.org JUNE 2017 [email protected] 7 BLOOMSDAY. Spokane, Wash. 2-4 ROSALIA BATTLE DAYS. Fun run, 14-16 COLUMBIA RIVER COWBOY bloomsdayrun.com parade, car show, rodeo, vendors and GATHERING AND MUSIC FESTIVAL. food. Rosalia, Wash. rosaliabattledays.com 9 WAWG BOARD MEETING. Meeting Benton County Fairgrounds in starts at 10 a.m. at Washington Wheat 3 REARDAN MULE DAYS. Three on three Kennewick, Wash. Foundation Building, Ritzville, Wash. basketball tournament, craft fair, poker columbiarivercowboygathering.com (509) 659-0610, wawg.org ride, 5k and 10k runs, parade. Reardan, 15-16 PALOUSE EMPIRE PLOWING Wash. reardanmuledays.net 12 MAIFEST. Flowers, music, entertain- BEE. Teams of draft horses complete in ment. Leavenworth, Wash. leavenworth.org 9-11 PROSPECTORS’ DAYS. Pan for real plowing contests. Fairgrounds in Colfax, gold! Three on three basketball tourna- Wash. facebook.com/pethreshingbee/ 12-14 WINTHROP ‘49ER DAYS. Parade, ment, 10k run, logging, mining competi- rendezvous party, cowboy breakfast. 20-23 WASHINGTON STATE SPRING tions. Republic, Wash. prospectorsdays.com Winthrop, Wash. winthropwashington.com/ FAIR. Animal exhibits, food, entertain- event/49er-days 9-11 DEMOLITION DERBY ment, demolition derby, monster truck EXTRAVAGANZA. Combine demolition show. Washington State Fairgrounds in 17-18 WASHINGTON GRAIN derby, parade, barbecue. Lind, Wash. Puyallup, Wash. thefair.com/spring-fair COMMISSION BOARD MEETING. lindwa.com/lind’sweekend.html 21-22 LEAVENWORTH ALE-FEST. Spokane, Wash. (509) 456-2481 10-11 JUNIOR LIVESTOCK SHOW. Area Brews, food, dancing and music. 18-20 WILD GOOSE BILL DAYS. Parade, youth show off their prized animals at leavenworthalefest.com fun run, vendors and food. Wilbur, Wash. the fairgrounds. Waitsburg, Wash. wilburwachamber.org 22 COUNTRY COUSINS OTHELLO cityofwaitsburg.com/events.html SPRING PLOW IN. Vintage equipment 18-21 SELAH COMMUNITY DAYS. 13 WAWG BOARD MEETING. Meeting plow day. Plowing begins at 10 a.m. On Carnival, poker run, potato feed, arts and starts at 10 a.m. at Washington Wheat Hwy 17 three miles south of intersec- crafts. Selah, Wash. selahdays.org Foundation Building, Ritzville, Wash. tion with Hwy 26 at Hatton Road near 19-21 WAITSBURG CELEBRATION (509) 659-0610, wawg.org Othello, Wash. DAYS. Parade, auto show. Waitsburg, 14 JUNE SHOOT. Washington Wheat WHEAT COLLEGE. Featuring Greg Wash. cityofwaitsburg.com/events.html 25 Foundation sporting clays fundraiser. Kruger of the University of Nebraska- 20 SPOKANE LILAC FESTIVAL. Car Landt Farms in Nine Mile Falls, Wash. Lincoln and his travelling Pesticide show, parade. spokanelilacfestival.org/ wawheat.org Application Technology lab, equipped with state-of-the-art greenhouse and 26-28 TOUCHET RIVER ROUNDUP. 16-18 ALL WHEELS WEEKEND. Car wind tunnels. Wheat College will also Woody’s world famous pig roast, Chili show, golf tournament, fireworks, music. offer localized presentations from feed, camping, dancing, kids games. Dayton, Wash. allwheelsweekend.com/ Washington State University Extension, Registration required. Fairgrounds in 16-18 SLIPPERY GULCH DAYS. Waitsburg, Wash. snafubar.com/pigroast/ including herbicide resistance, variety Chamber breakfast, fun run, tractor show, selection, worker protection standards 26-28 LAST STAND RODEO. Cowboy parade, fishing derby, fireworks. Tekoa, and more. Pesticide credits will be of- breakfast, 5k run, rodeos. Coulee City, Wash. slipperygulch.com fered. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Three Rivers Wash. laststandrodeo.com Convention Center in Kennewick, Wash. 24 ST-JEAN-BAPTISTE DAY CELEBRA- Lunch is provided and there is no admis- 26-28 MULE MANIA. A three-day mule TION. Tour of Hudson Bay Farm, potato sion charge. Preregister at least 3 days in and donkey competition. Chuck wagon bar, music, entertainment. Frenchtown advance by calling (877) 740-2666 or print cook-off, live entertainment, parade. Historic Site, Walla Walla, Wash. out and mail registration form at Dayton, Wash. http://mulemaniadayton.com frenchtownwa.org/upcoming-events/ wawg.org/ammo-workshops/ 26-29 MOSES LAKE SPRING FESTIVAL. 27-MAY 7 WASHINGTON STATE Basketball tournament, 10k run, car show, Submissions APPLE BLOSSOM FESTIVAL. Parade, parade, carnival, beer garden. Moses Email listings to [email protected]. carnival, golf tournament, apple pie and Lake, Wash. moseslakespringfestival.com Include date, time and location of dessert bake-off, live entertainment, auc- 27-28 METHOW VALLEY RODEO. event, plus contact info. tion. Wenatchee, Wash. appleblossom.org Saddle bronc, bareback, bulls, barrel

68 WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 509.535.1177 | NwGrainAugers.com

25 Years Growing

® INCORPORATED

• CRP, SAFE & Pollinator Mixes • Hay and Pasture Mixes • Alfalfa and Legumes • Habitat Mixes

WHEAT LIFE APRIL 2017 69 Ag Trucks & Equipment...... 9 Diesel & Machine...... 39 PNW Farmers Cooperative. . . . 69 AGPRO ...... 35 Dowland Spray Systems. . . . . 37 Pomeroy Grain Growers Inc. . . .39 AgraSyst...... Advertiser. . . . .15 DuPont...... Index . 71 Rainier Seeds ...... 69 AgroLiquid...... 33 Edward Jones...... 21 Reardan Seed...... 37 Albaugh LLC...... 29 Evergreen Implement Inc. . . . .35 RH Machine...... 41 ATI Solutions LLC...... 7 Farm & Home Supply...... 46 Rock Steel Structures...... 41 BASF ...... 13 Great Plains Equipment . . . . . 25 Seedmaster Drills ...... 31 Blue Mountain Realtors...... 31 Helena Chemical...... 11 Spectrum Crop Development . . 48 Butch Booker Auction...... 35 Jess Auto...... 63 SS Equipment...... 43 Byrnes Oil Co ...... 35 Kincaid Real Estate...... 35 State Bank Northwest...... 43 Central City Scale ...... 29 Landmark Native Seed...... 29 Syngenta-Talinor...... 72 Central Life Sciences ...... 19 Les Schwab Tire Centers. . . . . 17 T & S Sales...... 46, 69 Class 8 Trucks...... 41 North Pine Ag Equipment Inc. . .65 Tankmax Inc...... 31 CO Energy...... 14 Northwest The Concrete Doctor...... 48 Coldwell Banker Tomlinson. . . .39 Farmland Management. . . . 31 The McGregor Co...... 37 Connell Grange Supply Inc. . . .41 Nufarm...... 21 Walter Implement...... 61 Cooperative Ag Producers. . . . 48 Perkins & Zlatich PS ...... 29 Wilbur-Ellis...... 5 Country Financial...... 61 Pioneer West...... 63

The Lick Creek Game Management Unit (#175), which encompasses the Smoothing Iron Ridge and the Blue Mountains, backs right up to Asotin County wheat grower Mark Greene’s fields. At bottom center in the foreground, you can see one of the trails the elk use to climb up and out of the state game lands and onto the Cloverland Ridge area. See the story on page 26. A smart way to do business? Keep diseases from infecting your bottom line.

DuPont™ Aproach® fungicide provides control of a broad spectrum of diseases in your cereal crop, including powdery mildew, rusts, tan spot and blotches. Delivering complete coverage within the crop for better rainfastness, efficacy and movement within each plant, Aproach® can help you realize a more visually appealing field and increased yield potential; bolstering your bottom line. Talk to your local team of DuPont experts, or to your retailer, for more details about Aproach® and the DuPont™ Crop Protection Plus® product cost replacement program.1 aproach.dupont.com

1See Terms and Conditions for details. Crop Protection Plus® is not available in all states. DuPont™ Aproach® fungicide may not be registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your local DuPont retailer or representative for details and availability in your state. Always read and follow all label directions and precautions for use. Unless indicated, trademarks with ®, TM or SM are trademarks of DuPont or afﬁ liates. © 2017 DuPont. DUPCNR16010_020117_WL

DUPCNR16010_020117_WL.indd 1 1/20/17 10:02 AM 1TLN6005_Weeds_AG91_0105.indd

Tough weeds’ defenses are once again shattered. Talinor™ cereals herbicide, with a new active ingredient, provides quicker, more ef cient knockdown of resistant broadleaf weeds in a stand-alone product. And that means you’ll be smashing yield records. Talk to your Syngenta retailer about Talinor, a cereals herbicide designed to do one thing: hammer weeds.

20 Sngenta. Iortnt: Aws re n oow e instrtions. Soe rots not e reistere or se or se in sttes or onties. ese he with or o etension serie to ensre reistrtion stts. ainor, the Aiance rame, the urpose con, an the Sngenta ogo are traemarks o a Sngenta Group ompan. Sngenta ustomer enter SNGENA 93. www.armAssist.com W N005WeesAG9 2

Group Creative Director: Jeﬀ Tresidder Syngenta: Talinor Print Ad – Full Page Art Director/Designer: Jeﬀ Tresidder “Tough weeds’ defenses...” Copywriter: Dan Roettger Pub: Wheat Life Photo Source: Name Retoucher: Todd Carlson Color: 4/C Prepress: MW BL: 8.75" x 11.25" Art Producer: Heather McQueen TR: 8.375" x 10.875" Account Manager: Tim Holmes LV: 7.375" x 9.875" Account Manager: Emilee Wendorf Print Producer: Bill Schneck Martin Williams Job No: Project Manager: Julie Genung 1TLN6005_Weeds_AG91 Production Artist: Jennifer Beier LASER IS 100%