Protecting the Social, Economic and Educational Well-Being of Our Farmers Through Grassroots Efforts Is the Cornerstone

WThe official publicationHEAT of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers LIFE JANUARY 2018

Protecting the social, economic and educational well-being of our farmers through grassroots efforts is the cornerstone

of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers

Address Service Requested Service Address

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 61 • Number 01 Winter time doesn’t mean down time here www.wheatlife.org By Marci Green

The official publication of Happy New Year! WASHINGTON I think most farmers look at this time of year as “down ASSOCIATION OF time.” Of course there is work to be done, but this is a WHEAT GROWERS good time to catch up, make plans for the new year and 109 East First Avenue maybe even fit in a vacation. That isn’t the case for your Ritzville, WA 99169-2394 (509) 659-0610 • (877) 740-2666 Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) staff and leadership. Now is the time to build friendships. This WAWG MEMBERSHIP is busy season! (509) 659-0610 • (877) 740-2666 $125 per year I learned a few years ago that if you want to have discussions with other folks in agriculture, the winter months are the time to get together. It’s also when our EDITOR lawmakers are in session in both Olympia and Washington, D.C. Educating and Trista Crossley • [email protected] (435) 260-8888 lobbying in our state and national capitals is a primary focus of this organization. WAWG officers, staff and a group of our growers will be heading to the west side AD SALES MANAGER of the state Jan. 16-18 for Olympia Days. Then, a few weeks later, your officers will Kevin Gaffney • [email protected] (509) 235-2715 be headed to Washington, D.C., for the National Association of Wheat Growers’ winter meeting where we will also spend a couple days visiting our congressional GRAPHIC DESIGN delegation and the staff of our U.S. Department of Agriculture agencies. Devin Taylor • Trista Crossley This work is all about relationships. We need to continually build relationships AD BILLING with our legislators. We elect people to governmental positions, and we expect Michelle Hennings • [email protected] (509) 659-0610 • (877) 740-2666 them to represent us in ways that are beneficial to our industry. The fact is, many of our policymakers are not familiar with agriculture, and they don’t always CIRCULATION understand how their actions impact us on the farm. If we want them to support Address changes, extra copies, subscriptions Chauna Carlson • [email protected] legislation that works for us, we have to tell them what we need. These conversa- (509) 659-0610 • (877) 740-2666 tions are much more effective if we have built relationships with each other. The Subscriptions are $50 per year best meetings are conversations between friends. WAWG EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Before I became active in WAWG, I knew who our elected officials were, but I Michelle Hennings didn’t really know them, and they certainly didn’t know me. I have learned that WAWG EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE they want to know all of their constituents, and they want to hear from us. We PRESIDENT need to take the step to introduce ourselves and start building those relationships. Marci Green • Fairfield I’ve now been in a lot of offices in Olympia and D.C., and I can’t remember a VICE PRESIDENT Jeffrey Shawver • Connell time I didn’t really feel welcome. We might not always agree on certain issues, SECRETARY/TREASURER but every interaction has been respectful, and I left feeling like it was a valuable Ryan Poe • Hartline contact. The more we meet with our policymakers (and their staffs), the more PRESIDENT EMERITUS those relationships are built, and positive, informative conversations can occur. On Ben Adams • Coulee City that note, please consider joining us in Olympia this year. The more farmers who APPOINTED MEMBERS make the trip, the more legislators we can meet with. For more information, please Andy Juris • Bickleton contact the WAWG office at (509) 659-0610. Howard McDonald • Coulee City Ryan Poe • Hartline I was at a community meeting a few years ago, and the people there were

Wheat Life (ISSN 0043-4701) is published by the frustrated about a particular issue. I suggested they call our state representatives, Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG): and the response from these community leaders was one of shock and disbelief— 109 E. First Avenue • Ritzville, WA 99169-2394 “You can actually call those people?” The answer is, absolutely! They want to hear Eleven issues per year with a combined August/ September issue. Standard (A) postage paid at from us. If you have a need to call one of your representatives, we have provided Ritzville, Wash., and additional entry offices. a handy pullout with contact information in this issue on page 34. Let them know Contents of this publication may not be re- what you need, invite them to the farm and start building relationships. You never printed without permission. know when you might need a friend in your corner. Advertising in Wheat Life does not indicate endorsement of an organization, product or political candidate by WAWG. All photos are Shutterstock images or taken by Wheat Life staff unless otherwise noted.

2 WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 Inside This Issue WAWG President’s Perspective 2 WAWG at Work 6 Policy Matters 12 Building a Foundation 18 2018 AMMO workshops Risk management, marketing on tap 20 Fending off four-legged pests WDFW’s plan to deal with Asotin County elk 22 Drowning in water issues Convention talk puts dams, Hirst in spotlight 26 A voice for wheat farmers Previewing WAWG’s legislative agenda 28 2018 Legislative Pullout A list of Washington’s state, federal lawmakers 34 The facts about glyphosate Why does USDA collect farm data? 36 Profiles Augie Kooistra, Augie’s Ag Sales 38 WGC Guest Column 43 WGC Review 44 China’s wheat web Country uses grain to address policy goals 46 Follow your wheat! The 2017 PNW export tour in pictures 48 Hunting for genes Project looks to breeding for FN solution 50 Wheat Watch 52 Ag as art Artist finds inspiration in Eastern Washington 54 On Lease 58 The Bottom Line 60 Your Wheat Life 62 Happenings 64 Advertiser Index 66 Marci Green, president, Washington Association of Wheat Growers Michael Pumphrey, endowed chair, Washington State University Scott Yates, communications director, Washington Grain Commission Arron Carter, endowed chair, Washington State University Kevin Gaffney, ad sales manager, Wheat Life T. Randall Fortenbery, Ph.D., Thomas B. Mick Endowed Chair in Grain Diana Carlen, lobbyist, Washington Association of Wheat Growers Economics, Washington State University Casey Chumrau, marketing manager, U.S. Wheat Associates Heidi Scott, writer, Spokane, Wash.

Contributors Camille Steber, molecular geneticist, USDA- ARS Curtis Evanenko, McGregor Risk Management Services

WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 3 1TLN6005_Weeds_AG91_0105.indd

WAWG MEMBERSHIP FORM Please check level of membership Thank you to our Student $75 Partnership $500 Grower $125 (up to 5 partners) Tough weeds’ defenses are once again shattered. ™ Landlord $125 Convention $600 current members Talinor cereals herbicide, with a new active ingredient, provides quicker, more ef cient knockdown of resistant broadleaf weeds in a stand-alone product. And Family $200 (up to 2 members) Lifetime $2,500 We fight every day to ensure that life on the that means you’ll be smashing yield records. Talk to your Syngenta retailer about family farm continues to prosper and grow. Talinor, a cereals herbicide designed to do one thing: hammer weeds. 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: ✔ Helping shape the 2018 Farm Bill. ✔ Preserving the Snake River dams. ✔ Preserving the farm safety net by ✔ Maintaining a safe and sound protecting crop insurance. transportation system that includes rail, ✔ Fighting mandatory carbon emission river and roads. regulations. As Washington state continues to look for more revenue to fund education, farmers’ tax exemptions and programs are coming under fire. 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 ©2017 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Talinor™, the Alliance Frame, the Purpose Icon, and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. Syngenta Customer Center: 1-866-SYNGENT(A) (796-4368). www.FarmAssist.com MW 1TLN6005-Weeds-AG91 12/16 Call 877-740-2666 or visit www.wawg.org

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.

©2017 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Talinor™, the Alliance Frame, the Purpose Icon, and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. Syngenta Customer Center: 1-866-SYNGENT(A) (796-4368). www.FarmAssist.com MW 1TLN6005-Weeds-AG91 12/16

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% WAWG at WORK ® ADVOCATING FOR THE WHEAT FARMERS OF EASTERN WASHINGTON Whitman County growers hear WIREWORMS HAVE TAKEN marketing advice Almost 30 growers took advantage A STEP BACKWARDS... of winter down time last month to at- Albaugh’s new wireworm seed treatment delivers tend a meeting of the Whitman County wheat growers. They heard updates on enhanced performance and mortality against wireworms. state and federal issues, including trade deals, falling numbers, market development funding and the fight over the use of glyphosate. They also heard from a ® special guest, Dr. Randy Fortenbery, Albaugh’s BIOST Insecticide 100 the Thomas B. Mick Endowed Chair in 55 Grain Economics at Washington State provides the grower with a 54.2 University. second mode of 50 Fortenbery gave growers an update action to enhance on the wheat market outlook, telling the performance 49.1 50.3 them he thought the current market of insecticide 45 was a little better than it was this time seed treatments last year. He predicted the market will for wireworms Cruiser® Resonate® continue to improve, albeit slowly, and 40 Dr. Randy Fortenbery (second from right), the Thomas B. Mick Endowed Chair in Grain Economics resulting in 1.33 oz/cwt 2.4 oz/cwt recommended that growers don’t sell at Washington State University, discussed marketing with Whitman County growers at the growers’ wireworm next year’s crop just yet. December meeting. mortality and 35 One of the growers asked about improved Return on Investment. China’s impact on the market, and 30 Fortenbery said he doesn’t consider them much of a factor House ag committee launches in wheat prices because they don’t tend to trade much, and if they do, “it’s mostly low quality wheat.” He added that new farm bill landing page 25 white wheat is hard to replace, so Pacific Northwest grow- The House Committee on Agriculture has launched a Yield Bu/Ac ers are in a relatively good situation right now. new landing page as well as a “This is the Farm Bill” video Another grower asked about holding Dark Northern at agriculture.house.gov/farmbill/. The landing page is Spring wheat or selling it. “If you have the option to store designed to provide updates and new information regard- it, that’s what I’d store,” Fortenbery said. ing the 2018 Farm Bill. The video, narrated by Reps. Rick Albaugh’s goal is to deliver performance and value against wireworms. Fortenbery also touched on the farm bill, saying a one- Crawford (R-Ark.), Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), Mike Conaway 1. Data is a summary of 4 wireworm sites in 2017 representing different wireworm micro- (R-Texas), Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), Glenn Thompson climates – Pomeroy, WA, Rosalia, WA, Davenport WA and Bozeman, MT. year extension seems likely and that legislators need to ® (R-Penn.), David Rouzer (R-N.C.) and Austin Scott (R-Ga.), 2. Albaugh’s BIOST Insecticide 100 wireworm technology when combined with separately start hearing the same story from different agricultural registered seed treatments Resonate® Insecticide and NipsIt Inside® Insecticide will sectors about what is important to them. emphasizes how farmers and ranchers are feeding more provide the grower with 3 active ingredients and two modes of action against wireworms. people with fewer resources than ever before while mak- 3. Albaugh’s BIOST® Insecticide 100 provides a contact mode of action resulting in enhanced “I think commodity groups should use the next six or ing an effort to keep agriculture sustainable. In the video performance and wireworm mortality. seven months to get on the same page on the farm bill,” he they explain how “our nation’s food security depends on said to the group. strong agricultural policy.” The meeting wrapped up with growers hearing a trea- Contact your local seed retailer for more information on BIOST® Insecticide 100 surer’s report and conducting county business. Refer to the product label for complete use directions and instructions. BIOST® and Resonate™ are trademarks of Albaugh, LLC. NipsIt Inside® Insecticide is a trademark of Valent USA, LLC. Always use and follow label directions. EPA Reg. No. 84059-14-42750 AD No. 100616, EPA Reg. No. 42750-133 AD No. 110316, EPA No. 59639-151 6 WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 ®

WIREWORMS HAVE TAKEN A STEP BACKWARDS... Albaugh’s new wireworm seed treatment delivers enhanced performance and mortality against wireworms.

Albaugh’s BIOST® Insecticide 100 provides the 55 grower with a 54.2 second mode of 50 action to enhance the performance 49.1 50.3 of insecticide 45 seed treatments ® ® for wireworms 40 Cruiser Resonate resulting in 1.33 oz/cwt 2.4 oz/cwt wireworm mortality and 35 improved Return on Investment. 30

25 Yield Bu/Ac

Albaugh’s goal is to deliver performance and value against wireworms. 1. Data is a summary of 4 wireworm sites in 2017 representing different wireworm micro- climates – Pomeroy, WA, Rosalia, WA, Davenport WA and Bozeman, MT. 2. Albaugh’s BIOST® Insecticide 100 wireworm technology when combined with separately registered seed treatments Resonate® Insecticide and NipsIt Inside® Insecticide will provide the grower with 3 active ingredients and two modes of action against wireworms. 3. Albaugh’s BIOST® Insecticide 100 provides a contact mode of action resulting in enhanced performance and wireworm mortality.

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. NipsIt Inside® Insecticide is a trademark of Valent USA, LLC. Always use and follow label directions. EPA Reg. No. 84059-14-42750 AD No. 100616, EPA Reg. No. 42750-133 AD No. 110316, EPA No. 59639-151 WL WAWG AT WORK Wheat U brings grower education to Spokane Last month, the Washington Association of Wheat Growers helped sponsor Wheat U, an event hosted by the High Plains Journal in Spokane, Wash., through the Agricultural Marketing and Management Organization. Wheat U’s keynote speaker was Pete Berry, a crop physiologist. Berry’s presentation focused on improving crop performance by understanding crop physiology, plant breeding and agronomy. The event included a farmer panel, keynote presentation and four breakout sessions including: • Herbicide resistance; • Rethinking plant nutrition for modern ag; • Optimizing productivity in cereals using seed treatments and fungicides; and • The outlook for wheat in 2018. The keynote speaker was Pete Berry, a crop physiologist and vet- eran of ADAS UK Ltd. His presentation focused on improving crop performance by understanding crop physiology, plant breeding and agronomy. He discussed maximiz- Cat Salois, director of research and technology for The McGregor Co., spoke about rethinking plant ing yield, referencing a UK yield nutrition for modern agriculture at Wheat U. contest record of 247 bushels per acre in 2015 with the average field size in the contest being 20 acres. This was the second Wheat U event, with the other one being held in August in Kansas. Ecology sends letter concerning CRP to USDA Last month, Maia Bellon, director of the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Washington State University professor, Drew Lyon, spoke about herbicide resistance at December’s Agriculture secretary, Sonny Perdue, Wheat U.

8 WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 Puzzled About Which Additives to Use With Glyphosate? Finally The Puzzle is Complete with

Come See Us at the Spokane Ag Expo!

Introducing the Only adjuvant you’ll Ever Need. Full Load Complete is the only glyphosate additive that: Replaces AMS, conditions spray water, provides a non-ionic surfactant blend, counteracts hard water and supplies glyphosate’s favorite surfactant. It provides the best drift reduction and deposition aid and Now it contains reduced phenoxy volatility technology

—All in One Jug ! To learn more about Full Load Complete and other products AgraSyst offers, please visit our website: www.agrasyst.com WL WAWG AT WORK

urging increased funding for the Conservation Reserve Program NASS releases 2016/17 estimates (CRP). Last month, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released In the letter, Bellon emphasized their 2016/17 annual county data estimates for Washington state small Every WestBred® wheat variety is bred with elite the importance of CRP to Eastern THE grains. The annual county data are based on reports from a sample of Washington producers, especially WIN genetics and locally proven yield potential—to farms and ranches. For wheat, the September Acreage and Production in complying with air quality help you win every acre, every season. survey is supplemented with a County Agricultural Production survey. To standards. SEASON see the full report, go to nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Washington/ Publications/Current_News_Release/2017/CE12_1.pdf “Without CRP, Washington will see increased soil erosion, unhealthy WINTER WHEAT levels of particulate matter in the air 2016 2017 and an increase in sediment in area Acres Acres Yield Acres Acres Yield waters, degrading habitat for aquatic Planted Harvested Per Acre Planted Harvested Per Acre life. CRP is central to Washington Adams 246,000 243,000 62.1 256,000 252,000 66.3 State Department of Ecology’s strat- Asotin 24,000 23,000 58.7 21,500 21,000 70.0 egy to protect our natural resources Benton D D D 73,500 61,000 82.0 and the health of our communities. I Columbia 79,000 77,000 89.0 81,000 78,500 84.5 urge you to support our request that Douglas 151,000 149,500 51.5 150,000 147,000 52.0 the 2018 Farm Bill reinstate funds for Franklin 65,000 64,000 74.2 63,000 61,000 56.6 this essential and highly successful Garfield 60,000 56,500 83.2 62,500 60,500 82.0 program.” Grant 118,000 114,000 72.8 106,000 103,000 65.0 Klickitat 31,000 30,200 45.2 26,000 25,000 31.8 Over the next three years, Lincoln 248,000 244,500 86.5 245,000 240,000 75.0 Washington state will see approximately 400,000 acres come out of Spokane 85,400 85,100 70.5 79,500 78,800 66.7 CRP. Because the 2014 Farm Bill cut Walla Walla 167,000 163,500 89.9 165,000 160,000 85.9 the acreage cap from 32 million acres Whitman 333,000 329,000 93.3 346,000 340,000 84.8 to 24 million acres, much of that Yakima 14,100 13,400 67.2 12,000 11,000 60.0 expiring CRP land will not be able to SPRING WHEAT be re-enrolled. 2016 2017 Acres Acres Yield Acres Acres Yield Planted Harvested Per Acre Planted Harvested Per Acre Are you receiving Adams D D D D D D Asotin D D D D D D Benton 23,000 22,300 21.0 D D D your ALERT? Columbia 21,700 21,300 58.4 24,000 23,800 45.6 With their annual membership, Douglas 10,700 10,500 29.0 6,500 6,500 31.2 Washington Association of Wheat Franklin D D D D D D Growers members can receive in- Garfield 24,700 24,200 49.0 23,200 23,000 43.0 dustry updates through the weekly Grant D D D D D D digital Greensheet ALERT via email. Klickitat 23,000 22,800 36.5 25,500 25,100 25.0 If you are not receiving this ALERT, Lincoln 124,000 122,400 41.4 125,000 124,000 39.3 there are two possible problems. Spokane D D D D D D Either we don’t have your current Plant Varieties That Are Walla Walla D D D D D D email address on file, or our ALERT Whitman 169,000 166,000 58.6 152,000 150,500 44.7 is going into your spam folder. BRED TO WIN Yakima 7,400 7,300 55.3 6,300 6,200 50.8 Please check your email’s spam folder for the ALERT and unspam it. WestBred.com/suppliers (D) means data withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. A minimum number You can also call our office at (509) of reports and/or coverage level must be met for a county’s individual data to be published. 659-0610 to make sure we have your Individual results may vary, and performance may vary from location to location and from year to year. Some county totals are combined within regions. To see those figures, download the full report current email address. Monsanto and Vine Design®, WestBred and Design® and WestBred® are registered trademarks of Monsanto at nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Washington/Publications/Current_News_Release/2017/ Technology LLC. ©2017 Monsanto Company. MWEST-18007-WL-OCT-APRIL CE12_1.pdf

10 WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 Every WestBred® wheat variety is bred with elite WIN THE genetics and locally proven yield potential—to SEASON help you win every acre, every season.

Plant Varieties That Are BRED TO WIN WestBred.com/suppliers

Individual results may vary, and performance may vary from location to location and from year to year. Monsanto and Vine Design®, WestBred and Design® and WestBred® are registered trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. ©2017 Monsanto Company. MWEST-18007-WL-OCT-APRIL POLICY MATTERS WAWG takes part in WPC’s final farm hall series in Spokane By Trista Crossley “These farm halls allow the public a chance to meet The Washington Policy Center wrapped up this year’s their local agricultural representatives and talk about Farm Hall Series in Spokane, bringing together elected some of the issues they are concerned about or dealing officials and agricultural industry leaders to answer ques- with,” Hennings said after the meeting. “Hearing these tions from farmers and ranchers and to look at some of the comments helps the WAWG board understand what issues facing agriculture in the coming year. struggles farmers are facing and help direct WAWG’s advocacy efforts in Olympia and Washington, D.C.” Michelle Hennings, executive director of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG), Water availability was one issue that kept surfacing in joined Sen. Mark Schoesler (R-Ritzville); Sen. Shelly the farm hall discussion, especially the State Supreme Short (R-Addy); Chris Voigt, executive director of the Court’s Hirst decision in 2016 that effectively halted rural Washington State Potato Commission; Aaron Golladay, development by restricting the use of permit-exempt 1st vice president of legislative affairs for the Washington wells. During the state’s 2017 Legislative Session, the Farm Bureau; and Jim Fitzgerald, executive director of the Senate, which was controlled by Republicans, refused to Far West Agribusiness Association. The panel was moder- pass a capital budget unless a permanent legislative fix ated by Chris Cargill, director of the Washington Policy for the Hirst decision was also passed. Democrats in the Center’s (WPC) Eastern Washington office. The panel was House weren’t willing to do so, leaving both the Hirst also broadcast live on WPC’s Facebook page. decision and the capital budget in limbo.

Michelle Hennings, executive director of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers, was a panelist at the final farm hall series held by the Washington Policy Center. Hennings answered questions about issues facing growers, including the Hirst decision that restricts exempt wells; the capital budget; taxes; and trade issues. Also on the panel were Aaron Golladay (second from right), 1st vice president of the Washington Farm Bureau, and Chris Voigt, executive director of the Washington State Potato Commission. Chris Cargill from the Washington Policy Center moderated the discussion.

12 WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018

WL POLICY MATTERS

“Two things to remember about the capital budget: one is the solution to Hirst almost certainly requires a water Governor’s proposed budget investment. Water investments always come through the capital budget because they are long-term issues. The oth- includes fossil fuel carbon tax er thing you should remember is if the capital budget had By Diana Carlen passed in June or July, do you really think we would be WAWG lobbyist having a conversation about Hirst in a meaningful manner? I think not,” Schoesler said at the panel in response to On Dec. 14, Gov. Jay Inslee released his proposed a question about the likelihood of resolving these issues. supplemental operating budget for the 2017-2019 bien- nium. The supplemental operating budget makes tweaks Short agreed adding that while the decision not to pass to the current $43.7 billion, two-year state budget that was a capital budget until Hirst was fixed was tough, it was the adopted last year. The governor proposes tapping into the right thing to do. state’s reserves by almost a billion dollars to respond to a Other issues that panelists said were facing agriculture recent Supreme Court ruling that the state needs to speed in the coming year included: up their education funding. The governor • Taxes; announced he will be proposing legislation imposing a carbon tax from fossil fuel in • Regulations that restrict the growth of agriculture; January to backfill the money tapped from the • Committee makeup now that Democrats control the state’s reserves. No specific details about the state Senate; governor’s proposed carbon tax are avail- • Labor supply; able at this time. • Trade; Each December, the governor • 2018 Farm Bill; and gets the opportunity to present his budget proposal, which serves as • Hours of service exemptions for truck drivers. a framework for the Legislature. The panel was asked how to help the public, especially Lawmakers return to Olympia for urban residents, see agriculture in a more favorable light. the 2018 Legislative Session on Jan. Golladay touted social media, saying that farmers “have to 8. During the legislative session, tell their story every day to everybody.” Hennings brought the House and Senate will each up the Wheat Week program, which takes a wheat-cen- present their own supplemental tered curriculum into grade schools across the state, as one budget proposals before negotiat- avenue. She also emphasized the importance of educating ing a final budget during the 60-day legislators on the significance of agriculture in economics. session. An audience member asked about RFID tags for cattle Here are some items of interest in the Governor’s pro- and recent efforts by the state to look into premise identifi- posed supplemental budget: cation, which could require privately owned grazing lands • Wildfire suppression. The governor’s budget pro- be registered and that information made public. Short en- vides funding to cover the unanticipated costs of couraged the cattle industry to get involved and to contact responding to and fighting wildfires across the state. their elected officials about the issue. Fires occurred on more than 404,000 acres, making The effects of a possible state carbon tax were also dis- 2017 the second-largest fire season in more than 15 cussed. The fertilizer industry and many food processing years. ($42.5 million from general fund-state; $10.9 plants in Washington would be hit hard and could find million from Disaster Response Account; $6.7 million themselves at a competitive disadvantage when compared from general fund-federal; $520,000 from other funds) to other states that don’t regulate carbon. • European gypsy moths. The budget begins efforts “This is a global issue, not just a Washington state issue, to eradicate and monitor nonnative European gypsy so it’s not for us to solve with a carbon tax. It’s something moths, which threaten forests and the timber, nursery that has to be done diplomatically across the world,” Voigt and Christmas tree industries. ($238,000 from general said. “We just don’t want to be put out of business because fund-state; $715,000 from general fund-federal) of additional taxes we have to pay that our competition For more information and to read the governor’s budget, isn’t going to have to.” visit the Office of Financial Management at ofm.wa.gov.

14 WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 SEEDING and TILLAGE EQUIPMENT TURBO-MAX® with TURBO-SEEDER™ Vertical Tillage & Seeding In One Pass!

• Easy to install seeding attachment to Turbo-Max • Plant cover crops or small grains while simultaneously verti- cally tilling soil and sizing residue • Available for 850, 1000, 2400, 3000, and 3500 Turbo-Max • Includes ladder and walkboard for safe access HEAVY-DUTY DRILLS 26' - 50' Min-Till • Constant hydraulic down pressure optimizes seed placement • Large main seed box capacity minimizes fills • Offset opener blades with leading edge ensures clean cutting and easy penetration • Seed tubes with trailing flap guides seed through the opener and ensures consistent depth

VERTICAL TILLAGE TOOLS PRECISION APPLICATION TOOLS CONVENTIONAL TILLAGE TOOLS 5' - 10' COMPACT DRILLS

HEAVY-DUTY NO-TILL DRILLS 30' & 40' STACK-FOLD PLANTERS FINISHING TOOLS COMPACT DISKS VISIT YOUR LOCAL GREAT PLAINS DEALER OR GET MORE INFORMATION AT: www.GreatPlainsAg.com 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 JANUARY 2018 15 AMMO is a program of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers. Our goal is to help you increase your profitability by making better farm management decisions. AMMO has provided farm management training programs since 2009 and we are proud to offer these 2018 programs for our members and friends.

2018 Workshop Schedule: FEB 1 • WHEAT OUTLOOK and Marketing Approach Speaker: Dan Manternach Location: Northern Quest Casino Hotel - Airway Heights, WA FEB 15 • Farm Bill and Crop Insurance Speaker: Dr. Art Barnaby (Kansas State University) Location: Northern Quest Casino Hotel - Airway Heights, WA FEB 22 • Farm and Production Risk management Tools Speaker: Steve Vollrath (AgraView) Location: Red Lion Hotel - Pasco, WA FEB 27 • Maximize Intensive Wheat Management Speaker: Dr. Romulo Lollato (Kansas State University) Location: Red Lion Hotel - Pasco, WA May 15 • Wheat College Live Precision Ag demonstrations from UpAngle 2018 FARM Location: The McGregor Company Training Facility - Colfax, WA WAWG members admitted free of charge. Non-WAWG members $25. (Lunch provided) MANAGEMENT 2018 AMMO Sponsors: AgLink, Inc. Northwest Farm Credit Services AgVentures NW, LLC Paci c Northwest Farmers Cooperative Almira Farmer's Warehouse Pomeroy Grain Growers Almota Elevator Company ProPartners Financial TRAINING PROGRAMS Central Washington Grain Growers Reardan Seed CliftonLarsonAllen Scott's Tire Service SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR EASTERN WASHINGTON PRODUCERS Davenport Union Warehouse The McGregor Company Dow AgroSciences Tri-Cities Grain LLC Hatley/Cobb Farmland Management Tri-State Seed Co. Helena Chemical Company Washington Grain Commission JW & Associates, PLLC Wheatland Bank Moss Adams LLP Wilbur Ellis Co.

For advance registration and more information: 1.877.740.2666 Email: [email protected] Web: wawg.org/ammo-workshops Like us! AMMO is a program of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers. Our goal is to help you increase your profitability by making better farm management decisions. AMMO has provided farm management training programs since 2009 and we are proud to offer these 2018 programs for our members and friends.

For advance registration and more information: 1.877.740.2666 Email: [email protected] Web: wawg.org/ammo-workshops Like us! PMS 139 Working to advance the small grains industry by building support for programs and activities that increase public awareness of farming.

PMS 114 TESSA JANTZ, 2017 WASHINGTON WHEAT AMBASSADOR This last year serving as a wheat ambassador and being a part of the Washington Calendar: Association of Wheat Growers has been truly unforgettable. On my family farm, I grew up Washington Wheat learning what it is like to be a farmer, and through this past year, I was able to learn every- Foundation Meeting thing that goes into the farming industry and the politics of it. Traveling to Olympia and sitting in on meetings with govern- March 5, 2018, at the ment officials while discussing agricultural policies was very Wheat Foundation educational. Also, traveling to Washington, D.C., and experienc- Building in Ritzville, ing what a meeting at the U.S. Department of Agriculture was Wash. like opened my eyes to how much larger farming is than what I do sitting in a combine a few weeks during summer. Through Reminders: my experiences of traveling and meeting with new people, I • Like the National was able to make connections and truly understand all the op- Wheat Foundation portunities that this industry provides. After seeing what the Facebook page. Washington Wheat Foundation and the Washington Association PMS BLACK • Remember the of Wheat Growers does behind the scenes, I know that we as farmers can trust that they will continue to advocate for the Foundation in your livelihood we all know and love. Moving forward after this experience, I am sure I want to charitable giving. Go continue to promote the wheat industry and everything I have learned. Living in Seattle has to wawheat.org to find really shown me how different the two sides of Washington state really are, and I have been out more about ways very surprised at how many people truly don’t understand the wheat industry or where that you can support their food comes from. However, I hope to continue as an ambassador of wheat and promote your industry. Washington wheat to the best of my ability. I am so thankful for these opportunities and for • Visit and share the the many people who have helped shape my year. new “Let’s Grow LET’S GROW TOGETHER CONTINUES TO EXCEED GOALS Together” blog and We kicked off November with a record-setting wheat facts Facebook post reaching more Facebook page. than 10,000 people and generating more than 280 reactions. We continue to exceed bench- marks, achieving an engagement rate of more than 12 percent. In addition to wheat facts, the content strategy of posts has been to highlight the dedication of our farmers to their hard work, connection to the land and stewardship. On the website, we’ve continued the discussion about trade legislation with an in-depth look at NAFTA for the consumer audience. We also published a roundup of research revealing the power of whole grains for weight loss and their importance in the prevention of childhood obesity. Additional content highlights the significance of wheat as an agricultural commodity in the Washington Wheat Northwest and Washington’s ranking among the top 10 states for agricultural Foundation exports. A website audit and analysis is P.O. Box 252 underway, and we’ve initiated a refresh Ritzville, WA 99169 of the website’s look and scope. Look (509) 659-1987 for the refreshed page to launch soon at wawheat.org The top performing Let’s Grow Together Facebook post. letsgrowtogether.ws

18 WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 Winter Sale

509.535.1177 NwGrainAugers.com

WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 19 WL FEATURE

2018 SCHEDULE KICKS OFF WITH WORKSHOPS ON MARKETING, RISK MANAGEMENT, FARM BILL, CROP INSURANCE AND MORE The generous support of our sponsors allows us to bring By Trista Crossley quality, educational content Farmers aren’t known to be careless, especially when it comes to their risk to producers. Thank you to management and marketing strategies, and in periods of low prices, every these industry supporters: little tip and trick helps. This winter, Washington growers have an opportunity to add to their knowledge thanks to the 2018 Agricultural Marketing and AgLink Inc. Management Organization (AMMO) winter class schedule. AgVentures NW LLC “Risk management and marketing seem to be topics growers continue to re- Almira Farmer’s Warehouse quest,” said Lori Williams, outreach coordinator for the Washington Association Almota Elevator Company of Wheat Growers. “This year, we are bringing in Dan Manternach, a writer and Central Washington Grain speaker from St. Louis who will be speaking on developing a marketing plan, as Growers well as providing a market outlook for Pacific Northwest growers. We also have CliftonLarsonAllen Art Barnaby, who will be talking about crop insurance, and Dr. Romulo Lollato, a professor from Kansas State University who will be speaking about maximiz- Davenport Union Warehouse ing wheat yield through agronomic practices.” Dow AgroSciences Production is another area of focus for AMMO this year. One of the winter Hatley/Cobb Farmland sessions will be covering the relationship between yield and protein and how to Management manage nitrogen applications. Production and technology will also mix later in Helena Chemical Company the year at the popular Wheat College, scheduled for May in Colfax, Wash. JW & Associates PLLC As in years past, the 2018 Wheat College will include a mix of indoor and Moss Adams LLP outdoor education, focusing on the use of drones in agriculture, including using Northwest Farm Credit field mapping to maximize the use of inputs. Williams said other presentations Services are likely to cover pesticide resistance and soil analysis, among other topics. Wheat College will be working with a prominent Washington technology com- Pacific Northwest Farmers pany, research organizations and Washington State University Extension to put Cooperative together the agenda for Wheat College. Pomeroy Grain Growers AMMO has also helped sponsor several grower education events in the past ProPartners Financial few months, including Wheat U and Washington State University’s Wheat Reardan Seed Academy. Scott’s Tire Service “We continue to partner with like-minded groups in order to provide qual- The McGregor Company ity grower education,” Williams said. “Our AMMO sessions and these other Tri-Cities Grain LLC events are a great opportunity to bring a large group of growers and agribusi- Tri-State Seed Co. ness groups together to discuss agronomy, yields and other topics. They are an opportunity for growers to get off the farm for a few hours, socialize and maybe Washington Grain go home having learned something new that will help them be more successful Commission in farming.” Wheatland Bank The AMMO program began in 2009 and continues to grow each year. The Wilbur-Ellis workshops are free to WAWG members and include lunch. Non-WAWG mem-

20 WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 FEATURE WL bers pay $25. More information on safety, prevention resources, labor laws and more. the AMMO classes are available • Maximize Intensive Wheat Management. Dr. Romulo Lollato is a profes- at wawg.org/ammo-workshops/. sor at Kansas State University and has an extensive knowledge of agronomic The AMMO program is funded practices leading to maximized wheat yield and profitability. This session will through industry sponsors and the focus on understanding yield and protein relationships by managing nitrogen Washington Grain Commission. fertilizer, as well as a discussion on the latest research regarding crop produc- “We believe there is still a demand tion practices including seeding rates, fungicide management and other efforts for these type of grower education to maximize profit. services, and in choosing which top- • Wheat College. This event will offer a mix of indoor and outdoor presenta- ics to cover, we are trying to provide tions, providing live demonstrations of the most recent precision ag technology, something of interest to everybody,” as well as information on the latest agronomic research being conducted in the Williams said. Pacific Northwest. Wheat College will also offer localized presentations from Here’s a closer look at the 2018 The McGregor Company and Washington State University Extension. Pesticide schedule of AMMO workshops: credits will be offered. • The 2018/19 Wheat Outlook and a Flexible, “3-Speed” Approach to Marketing. Dan Manternach will provide a market outlook forecast and discuss tips on how to monitor the price range under three different weather scenarios. A portion of the session will focus on the fine points of smart marketing strategies, including how to break the grip of greed and fear that often are a part of marketing decisions. • Farm Bill and Crop Insurance: What’s at stake? Dr. Art Barnaby will focus on several areas of interest, including the result of noncon- vergence in the wheat market and its impact on basis; means testing and the potential elimination of the harvest price; subsidy limitations; and more. Dr. Barnaby will also discuss the ins and out of the Agriculture Risk Coverage program, while comparing the estimated versus the actual program payment. • Farm and Production Risk Management Tools. Steve Vollrath, a crop insurance expert, will update attendees on new procedural changes for 2018 and discuss options to better manage your risk in current economic conditions. Program options are available to new and beginning farmers, as well as premium reduction options. Farm safety is also of great importance to ag employers. Experts will be on hand to discuss

WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 21 WL FEATURE Fending off four-legged pests WDFW takes steps to try to mitigate Asotin County farmers’ problems with elk

Editor’s note: To read more about the problems between Asotin County growers and elk, see pages 26-33 in the April 2017 issue of Wheat Life, available at wheatlife.org/pastissues.html. By Trista Crossley For the past few years, growers in Asotin County have maintained that efforts by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to mitigate elk damage to their crops have fallen short. WDFW is hoping that a new plan to deal with the four-legged pests will address at least some of those concerns. In a November meeting with growers and Rep. Mary Dye (R-Pomeroy) and a later December Mark Greene meeting with the Asotin Lands Committee, WDFW reviewed their plans to try to deal with the elk Asotin County farmer moving through the Cloverland Ridge area of Asotin County. The actions the department is taking include: • Hiring an temporary herder/hazer to patrol the area; • Expanding the season and the areas open to elk hunting; • Using the master hunters’ program for fencing repairs and hunting and hazing efforts; and • Expanding winter crop production and additional mowing on state lands to entice the animals to stay put. The department is also considering a fall grazing experiment on two parcels that would provide spring forage for the elk.

Bruce Petty “I think they (WDFW) are trying. I think we’ve got their attention,” said Bruce Petty, one of the Asotin County farmer Asotin County wheat growers who has been vocal about the elk problem. “I think they’ve heard us. I hope they are sincere and that we can continue to move forward and see if we can’t come up with a better solution than we have now.” Petty is referring to WDFW’s practice of issuing up to two kill permits each year to area landowners, plus an additional depredation tag, for elk. The idea behind the permits is that hunting pressure will scare the elk away from cultivated areas and back onto state lands. Growers maintain that the hunting pressure isn’t working and has only made the animals more nocturnal. Petty also said that Dye’s involvement seems to have spurred WDFW to action. “She’s been a big help. I don’t know if we’ll win, but she’s trying, and I do appreciate that,” he said. Stephen Pozzanghera Mark Greene, another wheat grower from Cloverland Ridge who had approximately 130 acres of Director of the canola destroyed in February 2017, said while he appreciates the WDFW’s efforts, the root problem Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s isn’t being addressed fast enough—keeping the elk from moving out of the state lands to begin Region 1 with. “In my opinion, we aren’t trying to keep the elk down. We are mitigating what they are doing once they get here,” he said. “They (WDFW) like to say it’s my fault because I plant canola. The reality is that the reason we rotate crops is because of herbicide resistance. If you just keep growing wheat, you lose that.” Growers have said they’d like to see the department implement a hay feeding program on state lands, which would keep the elk from moving through cultivated areas looking for food. WDFW says that elk need time to adjust to a diet of hay, so any feeding program has to start well in advance of winter weather, and the practice is expensive. However, one of the 2018 action items the department is considering is the parameters under which WDFW would test emergency feeding. Another complaint growers have is the compensation process for wildlife damage. Currently,

22 WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 YOUR FARM TIRE HEADQUARTERS FARM TIRES • FORKLIFT TIRES ATV • TRUCK • AG BATTERIES

LES SCHWAB CARRIES BATTERIES FOR ALL YOUR AGRICULTURAL APPLICATIONS!

TRACKS BUILT FOR LES SCHWAB COUNTRY 16”-36” WIDTHS FOR ALL MAKES: JOHN DEERE, CASE, CAT & AGCO WE ALSO CARRY RUBBER TRACKS FOR MINI-EXCAVATORS & SKID STEER MACHINES.

24-HOUR, ON-THE-FARM SERVICE!

NO PAYMENTS! NO INTEREST! SPECIAL PAYMENT TERMS ON TRACTOR TIRES (OAC) IF PAID IN FULL ON OR BEFORE JUNE 15, 2018

OVER 475 STORES THROUGHOUT THE WEST! WWW.LESSCHWAB.COM WL FEATURE

state law limits compensation to $10,000 and is only applied on yield loss and only after a crop insurance policy is exhausted. The process, growers say, is tedious and time consuming, and the claim may not be applicable to grower efforts and expenses after the fact as Greene found out when he tried to replant the canola field that was destroyed in February. Stephen Pozzanghera, director of WDFW’s region 1, which includes Asotin County, said at the December meeting WDFW needs to do a better job on outreach for growers in the event of wildlife damage. “Over the past year, the department, working with a local landowners and legislators, has implemented changes to a permit hunting season, which should provide harassment and some harvest on these elk. With assistance from landowners, we are also increasing our herding and hazing efforts in the area, and we will be experimenting with our agricultural practices to try and Moving forward. hold elk on our wildlife areas longer into the late fall and winter. No one effort is going to solve this problem, Giving back. but we are very hopeful that we can continue working with this group Our mission is to support agriculture with reliable, of landowners to find a combination consistent credit. As a cooperative, our members of practices that provide them relief from elk damage,” Pozzanghera said benefit through patronage dividends and our in a statement. support of rural communities. WDFW is planning to hold a meeting in February with growers A century of helping Northwest producers has to review the actions taken by the positioned us well to embrace the challenges and department this winter and see how opportunities ahead. And we’ll continue moving effective they’ve been. forward and giving back for another 100 years.

Your ad 800.743.2125 | northwestfcs.com could be here Call Kevin Gaffney

at (509) 235-2715 Here to Help You Grow

24 WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 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 FEATURE Drowning in water issues CONVENTION BREAKOUT SESSION PUTS SNAKE RIVER DAMS, OTHER WATER CONCERNS IN SPOTLIGHT

By Trista Crossley power as a viable replacement for While breakout sessions at the an- the electricity that would be lost if nual grain growers convention cover the dams were taken out. Not so fast, a myriad of topics, farmers can usual- Myers said. ly count on at least one session being “Wind energy relies on those dams focused on water. This year, the 2017 being there in Washington state. If Tri-State Grain Growers Convention you tear down the dams, you have in November put the Snake River to find something else to back up the dams at the center of that current. wind. What people don’t realize is Todd Myers, director for the that the wind doesn’t blow during Washington Policy Center’s Center the day. It blows at night. Problem for the Environment, gave a break- with that is no one uses electricity in out session titled, “Dams and Wells: the middle of the night. We are all The Future of Water and Farmers.” asleep, and factories are largely shut As Myers said, breaching the Snake down. The peak is in the middle of River dams is a topic that never goes the day,” he said. The dams act as away. A 2016 federal court ruling large batteries that can be turned on directed the U.S. Army Corps of or off very quickly to generate elec- Engineers (Corps) to look at scenarios Todd Myers, director for the Washington Policy tricity when needed. to protect salmon and steelhead, Center’s Center for the Environment, spoke to convention attendees about water issues that are To replace the electricity generated including tearing down four dams plaguing the Pacific Northwest, including the fight by the dams, Myers said it would on the lower Snake River, despite over breaching the Snake River dams and Washington cost: the fact that fish counts are slowly state’s Supreme Court 2016 decision that limits the use of permit-exempt wells. increasing. • $162 million more per year for wind electricity; and While some irrigation and flood control is provided by the dams, they are used mostly for navigation and to • $152 million more per year for natural gas electricity. generate electricity. Myers said that most parties recognize There are also carbon costs to replacing the dams’ there are economic problems involved in tearing down the electricity: dams. • It would cost $55 million to reduce the CO2 from “But what they don’t admit is that there are environ- natural gas; and mental trade-offs,” he said, adding that the Snake River • It would cost $21 million to reduce the CO2 from dams provide about 8 percent of Washington state’s wind. electricity. “To put that in context, if you tore down every wind turbine and removed every solar panel in the state, In all it would cost about $200 million per year in lost that would be about the same amount (of dam-produced electricity and increased carbon emissions for zero climate energy)…that’s what they are talking about in terms of benefit, Myers said. “You would have no more electricity, the Snake River dams, in terms of carbon-free, renewable and you’d have the same amount of carbon reduction for energy.” $200 million a year.” The dams provide: The value in other areas from tearing down the dams, such as in recreation and fishing, is unknown. Myers • A source of low-cost energy, about 3.5 cents per kilo- estimated that the salmon population would probably see watt hour. The nationwide average for industrial users only a single-digit increase, thanks to the steps the Corps is 6.42 cents per kilowatt hour; and has already taken. He pointed to the Elwha Dam on the • An average annual value of electricity worth almost edge of the Olympic National Park that was torn down in $300 million. 2014. The area saw a huge spike in the number of visitors Many in the environmental community point to wind immediately after the dam was torn down, but a month

26 WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 FEATURE WL later, the numbers were back to the predam removal level. The amount of total water covered by the ruling is less “Each time you look at this sort of argument, about than 1 percent, Myers said, and only a fraction of that recreation making up for the loss of natural resources jobs, water ends up back in streams. it never works out,” Myers said. “It’s folks in Seattle. That’s “You have to make sure that water withdrawals from their relationship with the environment—recreation, not wells aren’t affecting fish,” he explained. “This is es- actually working in it.” sentially an impossible rule to follow because it is very Myers told the crowd legislators need to hear from difficult to say how water from here might affect what people in Eastern Washington so they understand the goes through and ends up over here and its impact on the impact that tearing down the dams would have. temperature.” “In the discussion, it can’t be just Seattle restaurant owners and owners of recreational clothing companies. It has to be the people who live out here.” Myers also touched on the state Supreme Court’s Hirst Insurance for decision that restricts permit-exempt wells. He said the ruling came in response to a lawsuit alleging wells were Whatever You Grow reducing the amount of water in streams, thereby increasing the water temperature and making them uninhabit- Whether you raise cattle or grow nursery able to fish. In order to use a new well, property owners stock, row crops, grain, hay or fruit, must undergo an extensive and very costly analysis to COUNTRY Financial® has got you covered. prove that the water they want to use won’t impact nearby Your local nancial representative can help waterways or senior water right holders. The Building Industry Association of Washington has estimated a loss balance your need to protect what you have of $37 billion in property values due to the Hirst ruling. with your desire to build for the future. We o er great coverage for farm vehicles, too. POMEROY GRAIN GROWERS Grow your own way with COUNTRY Financial.

James Penning LUTCF Yakima (800) 741.6135

Paul Koethke LUTCF Moses Lake (800) 689.9259

Serving farmers for over 85 years

Pomeroy Grain Growers, Inc. Pomeroy Grain Office 509-843-1694 Pomeroy Agronomy 509-843-1394 Policies issued by COUNTRY Mutual Farm Commodities-Colfax 800-424-5056 Insurance Company®, Bloomington, IL. - HO www.pomeroygrain.com

WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 27 WL FEATURE

WAWG MAPS OUT 2018 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL PRIORITIES

Each January brings more than just the begin- can’t obtain a building permit. Despite the best efforts ning of a new year. It also marks the start of the of several legislators, the state Senate and House were Washington Association of Wheat Growers’ (WAWG) unable to come to an agreement on how to resolve this high season of travel to lobby on behalf of the state’s issue in the 2017 Legislative Session. The session end- wheat growers. ed in a stalemate with the Senate refusing to pass a Over the next few months, officers and staff will capital budget without a permanent Hirst fix. WAWG travel to Olympia and Washington, D.C., to meet with believes that rural landowners deserve a permanent elected officials, industry stakeholders and state and fix for this issue in order to ensure the value of their federal agencies to educate them on the wheat indus- land and their ability to develop it as needed. try’s priorities. Last year, one of WAWG’s major priorities was se- “Policymakers hear from all types of people, some curing the funding for Washington State University’s who understand the importance of agriculture and (WSU) new Plant Sciences building and the Global many who don’t. We can’t expect legislators to act in Animal Health building. That effort was successful ways that support us if we don’t communicate with as funding was allocated in the agreed-upon capi- them and tell them what we need,” said Marci Green, tal budget. Then the budget ran head long into the WAWG’s president. impasse over the Hirst decision (see above). WAWG Water will figure prominently in WAWG’s state believes these new buildings are necessary to the legislative outreach efforts, particularly in the fight to continued success of WSU in teaching students and save the Snake River dams. WAWG is working with developing research vital to our state’s agricultural partner organizations, such as the Washington Grain industry. Commission and the Pacific Northwest Waterways One of the major victories of last year’s state legisla- Association, to educate lawmakers on the importance tive session was the funding compromise that would of the dams to agriculture in the Pacific Northwest, fully fund basic education. The court disagreed, say- not to mention the environment benefits of the dams. ing the plan won’t achieve compliance by the deadline In May of 2016, a federal judge ordered the U.S. Army and refused to lift the $100,000-a-day fine against Corps of Engineers to prepare an environmental the legislature. This means the legislature will likely impact statement on salmon survival that included be searching for more money—$1 billion by some breaching the dams. WAWG has attended public scop- estimates—in the 2018 session. New taxes, such as ing meetings and submitted comments to the Corps a carbon tax or capital gains tax, and/or ending tax in support of the dams. incentives could be used. Agriculture already oper- The other major state water issue WAWG will be ates on very slim margins, and any new tax would lobbying for is a permanent fix for the state Supreme severely restrict the ability of farmers to make a living Court’s 2016 Hirst decision, which restricts the use growing a crop. WAWG will be vigorously defend- of permit-exempt wells. Many rural landowners ing agriculture’s ability to create jobs and compete in have found themselves unable to build on their land world markets by maintaining existing ag-based tax because without a prohibitively expensive study prov- incentives and lobbying against new taxes and regula- ing water is both legally and physically available, they tions.

28 WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 MF 4700 INNOVATION AT ITS CORE.

STABILITY. DURABILITY. EASE OF USE. Heavy-duty chassis with a low center of gravity designed with weight, power and lift for heavy jobs. Available 12x12 Shuttle Transmission.

DIESEL & MACHINE, INC. FROM MASSEY FERGUSON 227 20th St. North Lewiston, ID 83501 A world of experience. Working with you. 208-743-7171 www.dieselmachine.com MASSEY FERGUSON is a worldwide brand of AGCO.

䤀渀琀爀椀最甀攀搀戀礀挀漀瘀攀爀挀爀漀瀀瀀椀渀最Ⰰ 戀甀琀氀愀挀欀琀栀攀洀漀椀猀琀甀爀攀琀漀瀀甀氀氀椀琀漀昀昀㼀

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☠甀猀椀渀最漀氀搀猀挀椀攀渀挀攀琀栀愀琀栀愀猀眀漀爀欀攀搀昀漀爀挀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㨀㨀䤀䴀䤀ⴀ吀伀䰀䔀刀䄀一吀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吀刀䤀吀䤀䌀䄀䰀䔀㨀㨀倀䰀伀圀ⴀ䐀伀圀一䴀唀匀吀䄀刀䐀

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

WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 29 WL FEATURE

Speaking of taxes, efforts continue at the state level to In the 2018 Farm Bill, some of the priorities WAWG is pass a carbon tax, either through a voter-approved bill advocating for include: or by executive order. WAWG believes any carbon tax • Maintain a choice between the Agriculture Risk will increase growers’ expenses in fuel and fertilizer and Coverage (ARC) and the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) threaten their ability to make a living growing a crop. programs; Wheat growers are price takers, meaning they cannot • Improve the effectiveness of ARC and PLC, includ- pass an increase in expenses to consumers. A carbon tax ing improving the accuracy of data used to establish would also create a situation where companies, especially yields and tie the PLC reference price to the cost of food processing companies, might consider relocating to production; a different state in order to avoid paying a carbon tax or to avoid complying with increased regulations. • Prioritize working lands conservation over set asides; and On the federal side, WAWG is working with the National Association of Wheat Growers to make sure that • Address quality adjustments. wheat farmers have a seat at the table in 2018 Farm Bill Crop insurance is a critical risk management tool for discussions. In the past year, WAWG has made several farmers, especially with the unpredictable nature of trips to Washington, D.C., to share growers’ stories and agriculture and the current low commodity prices. It is advocate for wheat farmers. Michelle Hennings, WAWG’s often a requirement of financial ag lenders. Farmers pay executive director, said those trips have accomplished a their portion of the crop insurance premium, and without great deal. cost-share support, coverage would be cost-prohibitive “By spending time back east, we’ve been able to estab- and the system would not function effectively. The ab- lish relationships with all of our federal legislators that sence of a safely net causes uncertainty for the future of enable us to have an open and honest dialogue,” she said. agriculture and for the safe, reliable and abundant food “Those legislators are willing to sit down and listen to our supply the American public currently enjoys. The Trump concerns, and many of them have pushed for solutions to Administration’s proposed budget includes a hard cap the problems wheat growers face. That kind of cooperation on cost-share eligibility, which would cause farmers to wouldn’t happen without the advocacy efforts provided lower their production levels and make premiums more by our association’s grower leaders and staff.” expensive. In addition, a proposed $500,000 AGI threshold

During the Olympia Days trip last year, wheat growers were able to meet with Gov. Jay Inslee. This year, growers will again make the trip to Olympia later this month to meet with as many legislators as they can, from both sides of the aisle, to educate them about the wheat industry’s priorities for the 2018 Legislative Session.

30 WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 Proudly Serving The Inland Northwest Farm Community For More Than 70 Years High PerformanceIntroducing the ResidueCOUGAR Management 250 5-Section 50 ft. Drill • Anderson Razor Openers • Disk Leveler • 7.5” Paired Row Spacing • Cutting Coulters Also Introducing the SW12000 Commodity Cart • Non-Steerable Axle • Poly Tanks • Fill/Unload Auger Double compartment cart can be configured For • Farm Corporations • Real Estate Liquid Fertilizer & Seed or Dry Fertilizer & Seed • Water Rights • Farm Estate Planning Field Tested in the Palouse! • Elder Law • Probate • Agribusiness Planning • Call Clever Chuck alternative Today to vertical For tillageDetails and tandem disc harrows Visit our booth at Spokane Ag Expo! High• Excellent Performance soil/residue blending • Machine widths of 18 to 35 ft. Residue• 20 in. blades Management set on 17° angle for optimum soil engagement • High working speeds of 8-12 mph www.horsch.com

Davenport, WA Odessa, WA Ritzville, WA 509-725-4100 509-982-2672 509-659-0425

Rosalia, WA St. John, WA Colfax, WA 509-523-5809 509-684-3683 509-397-4345 The Joker

• Clever alternative to vertical tillage and tandem disc harrows Your ad could be here • Excellent soil/residue blending • Machine widths of 18 to 35 ft. Getting read by thousands of Pacific • 20 in. blades set on 17° angle for optimum Northwest farmers and growers. soil engagement • High working speeds of 8-12 mph What are you waiting for? NORTHwww.horsch.com PINE AG EQUIPMENT, INC. Call Kevin Gaffney at (509) 235-2715 2007 E. Babb Road Rosalia, Washington 509-994-2133 or [email protected]

WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 31 WL FEATURE

Falling numbers (FN) had more than just a devastating impact on the 2016 crop—by some estimates it cost Pacific Northwest wheat growers between $30 million and $130 million in discounts. WAWG strongly supports publicly funded agricultural research, but proposed federal budget cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) would severely undercut important work happening at ARS laboratories across the country. Research is critical to help with solving the FN quality issue in soft white wheat and developing a rapid,

On a trip to Washington, D.C., last summer, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) spent time talking to a group of leaders from the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) and the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) about the farm bill and falling numbers research funding. From left are Michelle Hennings, WAWG executive director; Nicole Berg, chair of WAWG’s National Legislation Committee; Cantwell; WAWG Vice President Marci Green; and Derek Sandison, director of WSDA.

for crop insurance eligibility would kick producers out of the program and once again cause premiums to be more expensive for everyone. WAWG strongly supports working lands conserva- Prepare Now... tion programs, including the Conservation Stewardship Program and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, as well as increasing the cap of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres to allow for both continuous and general sign-ups. Budget cuts to eliminate or further delay access to critical conservation programs causes great concern. In Washington state, more than 400,000 acres are set to expire from CRP through 2020, and offers are not ...For the Busiest Time of Year! being processed due to the 24 million acre cap established Don’t let the season sneak up on you - now is the under the 2014 Farm Bill. The dwindling enrollment in conservation programs will have a negative impact on the time to get everything in order. Whether you need effectiveness of key land stewardship tools used to protect to purchase more seed, improve/repair/buy new land, water and wildlife. machinery or for any other expense, we can help. Get With more than 90 percent of our grain being ex- prepared with a commercial savings account, or loan, ported to foreign markets, trade is of vital importance from State Bank Northwest. Stop by or call today! to Washington’s wheat growers. WAWG is lobbying for increased funding for the Market Access Program (MAP) and the Foreign Market Development (FMD) program. These programs help develop markets and promote U.S. agricultural products across the globe. Research shows MAP and FMD generate a return of $28.30 for every $1 spent. A strong agricultural industry protects and creates American jobs and should be considered an important Garfield Branch, 301 W. California St. 635-1361 national interest. Trade agreements, such as the North Northpointe Spokane Branch, 9727 N. Nevada 464-2701 American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the U.S.- Spokane Valley Branch, 12902 E. Sprague 789-4335 Korean Free Trade Agreement (KORUS), are vital to wheat farmers. WAWG advocates a “do no harm” policy in any www.statebanknorthwest.com negotiations to modernize these agreements.

32 WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 reliable testing method. WAWG has joined forces with the Washington Grain Commission; wheat industry groups in Oregon and Idaho; the national wheat industry organizations; Washington State University; and the Washington State Department of Agriculture to put forward an appropriations request of $1 million in the FY18 budget of the ARS to address soft white wheat falling numbers issues. WAWG also supports the proposal for a three-year competitive grant, totaling $2 million, from the National Institute for Food and Agriculture to fund soft white wheat falling numbers research at land-grant universities and other cooperators. Besides highlighting the need •Custom Welding for more research funding, FN also •Fuel Tanks uncovered gaps in how crop insur- J&M Fabrication •Equipment ance is applied in cases of quality Our shop will get the job done right! Repairs issues. Even though many growers •Tool Boxes saw huge monetary losses in 2016, •Custom Truck Bodies and they were unable to qualify for crop Flatbeds insurance because of record yields. •On-Site In addition, growers’ production Millwright history was impacted, whether they NEW: Industrial Guarding Services Work filed a claim or not, possibly hurting •All Types Custom their ability to fully insure future Machinery Guards • Secondary Containments Design Work • Fall Prevention Systems & More! crops. WAWG is working with •Custom-Made 12-Guage Clean Grain & Return Elevators Combine Parts the Risk Management Agency to 2.5 times stronger than EOM for newer Model CaseIHs reconsider how quality discounts are 16716 W SR 904 Cheney WA www.jandmfabrication.com assessed and applied against a pro- Call Justin Miller Today! 509-235-5711 or 509-993-2890 (cell) ducer’s actual production history. SOUTAST WA AR RORTIS Peppers Bridge Road: Nice 73.65-acre property that adjoins the Walla Walla River (over Ring Canyon 754.95 Acres in Columbia County: This property includes 2 homes under one 1/2 mile) and Peppers Bridge Road. Property is adjacent to numerous Walla Walla Valley rooﬂine. Outbuildings include a detached 2 car garage, work shop, machine shop and Quonset Wineries. Older set of Farm Buildings and Farm House. Cropland is irrigated with hand building. An abundance of wildlife. New 10 years CRP contract. Asking Price $1,400,000 lines. Asking $1,445,000. Touchet River Frontage, Walla Walla County Dryland Farm: 1,064.95 Total FSA Acres, Walla Walla County Dryland Farm, 8 miles NE Touchet: 1,277 Total FSA Acres, 851.48 FSA Cropland Acres (includes 182.72 CRP acres), 17.09 FSA CREP Acres. 1,174.9 CRP, Asking price of $939,900 ($800 per crop acre). Property includes approx.half a mile of Touchet River Frontage. There is a potential home site overlooking the Touchet River Valley…Asking Price $1,220,000. Walla Walla County (near Prescott): 1,400.85 Total Acres, 1,280.64 FSA Cropland Acres (includes 1,228.1 CRP acres). Asking $1,275,000 ($995 per crop acre). Abel’s-North Touchet: This mountain property is 937 +/- acres located in Dayton, WA and is only a few miles from the Ski Bluewood Resort. There is a lot of wildlife, valleys Walla Walla County Farm (Clyde, WA): 2,340.59 Acres, 2,158.04 FSA Cropland Acres with timber and brush for game cover, along with open hillsides. There are springs and a (Includes 1,753.8 Acres of CRP), Call For Details. Asking Price $2,158,000 small pond. Asking Price $897,000 Highway 124 Property, Hunter’s Paradise, 148 acres (near Prescott): With ½ mile of Columbia County Dryland Farm ½ Interest Ownership: 1050.14 Total FSA Acres, Touchet River running through property. Lots of wildlife. Asking Price $664,050 958.95 FSA Cropland Acres. Asking Price $1,281,278 This farm must sell with the farm Eureka Flats, Walla Walla County Dryland Farm (7 miles SW of Eureka): 660.21 Total listed below. FSA Acres, 575.83 FSA Cropland Acres (includes 401.8 CRP Acres.) Asking Price $430,000. Columbia County Dryland Farm, Home & Outbuildings: 315.59 Acres; Asking Price Starbuck, WA. 7,708.09 FSA Contiguous Acres in Columbia County: Pasture & Cropland: $1,251.925 This farm must sell with the above 1,050.14-acre farm. 2,288.94FSA Cropland ac., 5,419.15 +/- FSA Pasture Ac. Reduced Price of $3,950.000.

Dayton WA Walla Walla WA laine ickelhaut ark Grant 1 . Colille St. 5 ain St. 7 N. Colville St. blainenw.co arknw.co alla alla A 5-- 5-5-55 5-5-5 5-5- 5-5-5 bluemountainrealtors.com northwestfarmland.com

WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 33 State Representatives for your district, 1 Derek Stanford D-Bothell Shelley Kloba D-Kirkland 2 Andrew Barkis R-Lacey state senators or J.T. Wilcox R-McKenna 3 Marcus Riccelli D-Spokane state representatives? Timm Ormsby D-Spokane LOOKING 4 Matt Shea R-Spokane Valley Bob McCaslin R-Spokane Valley leg.wa.gov 5 Jay Rodne R-Issaquah Paul Graves R-Fall City 6 Mike Volz R-Spokane Jeff Holy R-Spokane What the 2018 State State Senators 7 Jacquelin Maycumber R-Republic 1 Guy Palumbo D-Maltby 26 Jan Angel R-Port Orchard Joel Kretz R-Wauconda Legislature is going to 2 Randi Becker R-Eatonville 27 Jeannie Darneille D-Tacoma 8 Brad Klippert R-Kennewick 3 Andy Billig D-Spokane 28 Steve O’Ban R-Tacoma Larry Haler R-Richland look like: 4 Mike Padden R-Spokane Valley 29 Steve Conway D-South Tacoma 9 Mary Dye R-Pomeroy 5 Mark Mullet D-Issaquah 30 Mark Miloscia R-Federal Way Joe Schmick R-Colfax State House of Representatives 6 Michael Baumgartner R-Spokane 31 Phil Fortunato R-Auburn 10 Norma Smith R-Clinton 7 Shelly Short R-Addy 32 Maralyn Chase D-Shoreline Dave Hayes R-Camano Island 50(D) 48(R) 8 Sharon R. Brown R-Kennewick 33 Karen Keiser D-Kent 11 Zack Hudgins D-Tukwila 9 Mark Schoesler R-Ritzville 34 Sharon Nelson D-Maury Island Steve Bergquist D-Renton State Senate 10 Barbara Bailey R-Oak Harbor 35 Tim Sheldon D-Potlach 12 Cary Condotta R-Wenatchee 11 Bob Hasegawa D-Seattle 36 Reuven Carlyle D-Seattle Mike Steele R-Chelan 25(D) 24(R) 12 Brad Hawkins R-E Wenatchee 37 Rebecca Saldaña D-Seattle 13 Tom Dent R-Moses Lake 13 Judy Warnick R-Moses Lake 38 John McCoy D-Marysville Matt Manweller R-Ellensburg For the 2018 Legislative 14 Curtis King R-Yakima 39 Kirk Pearson R-Monroe 14 Norm Johnson R-Yakima 15 Jim Honeyford R-Sunnyside 40 Kevin Ranker D-Orcas Island Gina R. McCabe R-Goldendale Session, control of the 16 Maureen Walsh R-Walla Walla 41 Lisa Wellman R-Mercer Island 15 Bruce Chandler R-Zillah Senate moves to the Demo- 17 Lynda Wilson R-Vancouver 42 Doug Ericksen R-Ferndale David V. Taylor R-Moxee 18 Ann Rivers R-Vancouver 43 Jamie Pedersen D-Seattle 16 William Jenkin R-Prosser crats. Legislators will be 19 Dean Takko D-Longview 44 Steve Hobbs D-Lake Stevens Terry R. Nealey R-Dayton dealing with issues that 20 John E. Braun R-Chehalis 45 Manka Dhingra* D-Redmond 17 Vicki Kraft R-Vancouver 21 Marko Liias D-Mukilteo 46 David Frockt D-Seattle Paul Harris R-Vancouver include nding more fund- 22 Sam Hunt D-Olympia 47 Joe Fain R-Auburn 18 Brandon Vick R-Battle Ground ing for education, rural 23 Christine Rolfes D-Kitsap County 48 Patty Kuderer D-Seattle Liz Pike R-Camas 24 Kevin Van De Wege D-Sequim 49 Annette Cleveland D-Vancouver 19 Jim Walsh R-Aberdeen water restrictions and pass- 25 Hans Zeiger R-Puyallup Brian E. Blake D-Longview *Freshman Senator 20 Richard DeBolt R-Chehalis ing a capital budget. Ed Orcutt R-Kalama 21 Strom Peterson D-Edmonds Lillian Ortiz-Self D-Mukilteo WAWG’s 2018 22 Laurie Dolan D-Olympia Beth Doglio D-Olympia state priorities include: More than $15.1 billion in 23 Sherry V. Appleton D-Poulsbo Drew Hansen D-Poulsbo • Fighting mandatory food and agricultural prod- 24 Mike Chapman D-Port Angeles ucts were exported through Steve Tharinger D-Sequim carbon regulations 25 Melanie Stambaugh R-Puyallup Washington state ports in Joyce McDonald R-Puyallup • Protecting the Snake 26 Jesse Young R-Gig Harbor 2013, the third largest Michelle Caldier R-Port Orchard River dams 27 Laurie Jinkins D-Tacoma amount in the United States. Jake Fey D-Tacoma • Protecting the state’s 28 Dick Muri R-Steilacoom Christine Kilduff D-University Place ag tax preferences 29 David Sawyer D-Tacoma Steve Kirby D-Tacoma 30 Mike Pellicciotti D-Federal Way Kristine Reeves D-Federal Way That you can nd your federal senator or 31 Drew Stokesbary R-Auburn DID YOU Morgan Irwin R-Enumclaw representative by going to one of these 32 Cindy Ryu D-Seattle Ruth Kagi D-Lake Forest Park KNOW?sites: senate.gov or house.gov 33 Tina Orwall D-Normandy Park Mia Su-Ling Gregerson D-SeaTac 34 Eileen L. Cody D-Seattle Joe Fitzgibbon D-Burien U.S. Representatives U.S. Senators 35 Dan Griffey R-Allyn Suzan DelBene (D) 1314 Longworth HOB Patty Murray (D) Maria Cantwell (D) Drew C. MacEwen R-Union District 1 - Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, Washington, D.C. 20515 154 Russell SOB 511 Hart SOB 36 Noel Frame D-Seattle King counties 202-225-2006 Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20510 Gael Tarleton D-Ballard 2442 Rayburn HOB Derek Kilmer (D) (202) 224-2621 (202) 224-3441 37 Sharon Tomiko Santos D-Seattle Washington, DC 20515 District 6 - Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor, Eric Pettigrew D-Seattle 202-225-6311 Mason, Kitsap, Pierce counties 38 June Robinson D-Everett Rick Larsen (D) 1520 Longworth HOB What the 2018 Congress Mike Sells D-Everett District 2 - Whatcom, San Juan, Skagit, Washington, DC 20515 39 Dan Kristiansen R-Snohomish Island, Snohomish counties 202-225-5916 John Koster R-Arlington is going to look like: 2113 Rayburn HOB Pramila Jayapal (D) 40 Kristine Lytton D-Anacortes Washington, DC 20515 U.S. House of Representatives Jeff Morris D-Anacortes District 7 - Snohomish, King counties 202-225-2605 319 Cannon HOB 41 Tana Senn D-Mercer Island 193(D) 239(R) Judy Clibborn D-Mercer Island Jaime Herrera Beutler (R) Washington, DC 20515 District 3 - Pacific, Lewis, Thurston, Wah- 202-225-3106 42 Luanne Van Werven R-Lynden U.S. Senate 2(I) Vincent Buys R-Lynden kiakum, Cowlitz, Clark, Skamania, Klickitat Dave Reichert (R) counties 43 Nicole Macri D-Seattle District 8 - Chelan, Kittitas, Pierce counties 47(D) 51(R) Frank Chopp D-Seattle 1107 Longworth HOB 1127 Longworth HOB 44 John Lovick D-Mill Creek Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515 Mark Harmsworth R-Mill Creek 202-225-3536 202-225-7761 Washington state's $51 billion food and 45 Roger Goodman D-Kirkland Dan Newhouse (R) Adam Smith (D) Larry Springer D-Kirkland District 4 - Okanogan, Douglas, Grant, District 9 - Pierce, King, Thurston counties agriculture industry employs approximately 46 Gerry Pollet D-Seattle Adams, Franklin, Benton, Yakima counties 2264 Rayburn HOB 160,000 people through production, Jessyn Farrell D-Seattle 1318 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 processing, transportation and sales.welve T Washington, DC 20515 47 Mark Hargrove R-Covington 202-225-8901 percent of the state’s economy comes from Pat Sullivan D-Covington (202) 225-5816 Denny Heck (D) agriculture. Agriculture is Washington’s 2nd 48 Vandana Slatter D-Bellevue Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R) Joan McBride D-Kirkland District 10 - Pierce, Thurston, Shelton counties largest export category, and the state is the District 5 - Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, 425 Cannon HOB 49 Sharon Wylie D-Vancouver Lincoln, Spokane, Whitman, Walla Walla, 3rd largest food and agricultural exporter in Monica Jurado Stonier D-Vancouver Washington, DC 20515 Columbia, Garfield, Asotin counties 202-225-9740 the U.S. State Representatives for your district, 1 Derek Stanford D-Bothell Shelley Kloba D-Kirkland 2 Andrew Barkis R-Lacey state senators or J.T. Wilcox R-McKenna 3 Marcus Riccelli D-Spokane state representatives? Timm Ormsby D-Spokane LOOKING 4 Matt Shea R-Spokane Valley Bob McCaslin R-Spokane Valley leg.wa.gov 5 Jay Rodne R-Issaquah Paul Graves R-Fall City 6 Mike Volz R-Spokane Jeff Holy R-Spokane What the 2018 State State Senators 7 Jacquelin Maycumber R-Republic 1 Guy Palumbo D-Maltby 26 Jan Angel R-Port Orchard Joel Kretz R-Wauconda Legislature is going to 2 Randi Becker R-Eatonville 27 Jeannie Darneille D-Tacoma 8 Brad Klippert R-Kennewick 3 Andy Billig D-Spokane 28 Steve O’Ban R-Tacoma Larry Haler R-Richland look like: 4 Mike Padden R-Spokane Valley 29 Steve Conway D-South Tacoma 9 Mary Dye R-Pomeroy 5 Mark Mullet D-Issaquah 30 Mark Miloscia R-Federal Way Joe Schmick R-Colfax State House of Representatives 6 Michael Baumgartner R-Spokane 31 Phil Fortunato R-Auburn 10 Norma Smith R-Clinton 7 Shelly Short R-Addy 32 Maralyn Chase D-Shoreline Dave Hayes R-Camano Island 50(D) 48(R) 8 Sharon R. Brown R-Kennewick 33 Karen Keiser D-Kent 11 Zack Hudgins D-Tukwila 9 Mark Schoesler R-Ritzville 34 Sharon Nelson D-Maury Island Steve Bergquist D-Renton State Senate 10 Barbara Bailey R-Oak Harbor 35 Tim Sheldon D-Potlach 12 Cary Condotta R-Wenatchee 11 Bob Hasegawa D-Seattle 36 Reuven Carlyle D-Seattle Mike Steele R-Chelan 25(D) 24(R) 12 Brad Hawkins R-E Wenatchee 37 Rebecca Saldaña D-Seattle 13 Tom Dent R-Moses Lake 13 Judy Warnick R-Moses Lake 38 John McCoy D-Marysville Matt Manweller R-Ellensburg For the 2018 Legislative 14 Curtis King R-Yakima 39 Kirk Pearson R-Monroe 14 Norm Johnson R-Yakima 15 Jim Honeyford R-Sunnyside 40 Kevin Ranker D-Orcas Island Gina R. McCabe R-Goldendale Session, control of the 16 Maureen Walsh R-Walla Walla 41 Lisa Wellman R-Mercer Island 15 Bruce Chandler R-Zillah Senate moves to the Demo- 17 Lynda Wilson R-Vancouver 42 Doug Ericksen R-Ferndale David V. Taylor R-Moxee 18 Ann Rivers R-Vancouver 43 Jamie Pedersen D-Seattle 16 William Jenkin R-Prosser crats. Legislators will be 19 Dean Takko D-Longview 44 Steve Hobbs D-Lake Stevens Terry R. Nealey R-Dayton dealing with issues that 20 John E. Braun R-Chehalis 45 Manka Dhingra* D-Redmond 17 Vicki Kraft R-Vancouver 21 Marko Liias D-Mukilteo 46 David Frockt D-Seattle Paul Harris R-Vancouver include nding more fund- 22 Sam Hunt D-Olympia 47 Joe Fain R-Auburn 18 Brandon Vick R-Battle Ground ing for education, rural 23 Christine Rolfes D-Kitsap County 48 Patty Kuderer D-Seattle Liz Pike R-Camas 24 Kevin Van De Wege D-Sequim 49 Annette Cleveland D-Vancouver 19 Jim Walsh R-Aberdeen water restrictions and pass- 25 Hans Zeiger R-Puyallup Brian E. Blake D-Longview *Freshman Senator 20 Richard DeBolt R-Chehalis ing a capital budget. Ed Orcutt R-Kalama 21 Strom Peterson D-Edmonds Lillian Ortiz-Self D-Mukilteo WAWG’s 2018 22 Laurie Dolan D-Olympia Beth Doglio D-Olympia state priorities include: More than $15.1 billion in 23 Sherry V. Appleton D-Poulsbo Drew Hansen D-Poulsbo • Fighting mandatory food and agricultural prod- 24 Mike Chapman D-Port Angeles ucts were exported through Steve Tharinger D-Sequim carbon regulations 25 Melanie Stambaugh R-Puyallup Washington state ports in Joyce McDonald R-Puyallup • Protecting the Snake 26 Jesse Young R-Gig Harbor 2013, the third largest Michelle Caldier R-Port Orchard River dams amount in the United States. 27 Laurie Jinkins D-Tacoma Jake Fey D-Tacoma • Protecting the state’s 28 Dick Muri R-Steilacoom Christine Kilduff D-University Place ag tax preferences 29 David Sawyer D-Tacoma Steve Kirby D-Tacoma 30 Mike Pellicciotti D-Federal Way Kristine Reeves D-Federal Way That you can nd your federal senator or 31 Drew Stokesbary R-Auburn DID YOU Morgan Irwin R-Enumclaw representative by going to one of these 32 Cindy Ryu D-Seattle Ruth Kagi D-Lake Forest Park KNOW?sites: senate.gov or house.gov 33 Tina Orwall D-Normandy Park Mia Su-Ling Gregerson D-SeaTac 34 Eileen L. Cody D-Seattle Joe Fitzgibbon D-Burien U.S. Representatives U.S. Senators 35 Dan Griffey R-Allyn Suzan DelBene (D) 1314 Longworth HOB Patty Murray (D) Maria Cantwell (D) Drew C. MacEwen R-Union District 1 - Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, Washington, D.C. 20515 154 Russell SOB 511 Hart SOB 36 Noel Frame D-Seattle King counties 202-225-2006 Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20510 Gael Tarleton D-Ballard 2442 Rayburn HOB Derek Kilmer (D) (202) 224-2621 (202) 224-3441 37 Sharon Tomiko Santos D-Seattle Washington, DC 20515 District 6 - Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor, Eric Pettigrew D-Seattle 202-225-6311 Mason, Kitsap, Pierce counties 38 June Robinson D-Everett Rick Larsen (D) 1520 Longworth HOB What the 2018 Congress Mike Sells D-Everett District 2 - Whatcom, San Juan, Skagit, Washington, DC 20515 39 Dan Kristiansen R-Snohomish Island, Snohomish counties 202-225-5916 John Koster R-Arlington is going to look like: 2113 Rayburn HOB Pramila Jayapal (D) 40 Kristine Lytton D-Anacortes Washington, DC 20515 U.S. House of Representatives Jeff Morris D-Anacortes District 7 - Snohomish, King counties 202-225-2605 319 Cannon HOB 41 Tana Senn D-Mercer Island 193(D) 239(R) Judy Clibborn D-Mercer Island Jaime Herrera Beutler (R) Washington, DC 20515 District 3 - Pacific, Lewis, Thurston, Wah- 202-225-3106 42 Luanne Van Werven R-Lynden U.S. Senate 2(I) Vincent Buys R-Lynden kiakum, Cowlitz, Clark, Skamania, Klickitat Dave Reichert (R) counties 43 Nicole Macri D-Seattle District 8 - Chelan, Kittitas, Pierce counties 47(D) 51(R) Frank Chopp D-Seattle 1107 Longworth HOB 1127 Longworth HOB 44 John Lovick D-Mill Creek Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515 Mark Harmsworth R-Mill Creek 202-225-3536 202-225-7761 Washington state's $51 billion food and 45 Roger Goodman D-Kirkland Dan Newhouse (R) Adam Smith (D) Larry Springer D-Kirkland District 4 - Okanogan, Douglas, Grant, District 9 - Pierce, King, Thurston counties agriculture industry employs approximately 46 Gerry Pollet D-Seattle Adams, Franklin, Benton, Yakima counties 2264 Rayburn HOB 160,000 people through production, Jessyn Farrell D-Seattle 1318 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 processing, transportation and sales.welve T Washington, DC 20515 47 Mark Hargrove R-Covington 202-225-8901 percent of the state’s economy comes from Pat Sullivan D-Covington (202) 225-5816 Denny Heck (D) agriculture. Agriculture is Washington’s 2nd 48 Vandana Slatter D-Bellevue Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R) Joan McBride D-Kirkland District 10 - Pierce, Thurston, Shelton counties largest export category, and the state is the District 5 - Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, 425 Cannon HOB 49 Sharon Wylie D-Vancouver Lincoln, Spokane, Whitman, Walla Walla, 3rd largest food and agricultural exporter in Monica Jurado Stonier D-Vancouver Washington, DC 20515 Columbia, Garfield, Asotin counties 202-225-9740 the U.S. WL FEATURE

THE FACTS ABOUT GLYPHOSATE Why does USDA collect farm data?

Editor’s note: This is the fourth in a five-part series sharing the Percent of total U.S. wheat acres treated with glyphosate facts about glyphosate and its use in the production of wheat in by application time, 2000-2016 the U.S. From the National Wheat Foundation The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), established by President Lincoln in 1862, is responsible for developing and executing federal government policy on farming, agriculture, forestry and food. Among other things, the agency aims to meet the needs of farmers and ranchers, promote agricultural production, work to assure food safety, protect natural resources and end hunger in the U.S. The USDA plays a very important role for the people of the U.S. northern and central Great Plains since 1989 (Hansen et al., As part of its duty to protect our natural resources and 2012). This no-till practice adoption by growers explains ensure a safe food supply, the USDA monitors the ap- the increased use of glyphosate in that it is used in place of plication of all pesticides used in the production of our tillage. Very little is applied to the wheat crop itself, but is food. It collects information directly from growers who applied to the field that will be used for wheat production. participate voluntarily and on a confidential basis. The data is fact based and reports actual chemical use. All While the USDA data for glyphosate is useful, it does farmers benefit when public and private organizations not determine the purpose of the application. The survey rely on this accurate, timely data in making decisions is not designed for this much detail. The data is designed about health, environment, safety, trade and other critical for one purpose but cannot be used for something else. issues. Having the data allows the USDA to evaluate the If the survey was designed to obtain more specific infor- safety of the nation’s food supply, assess risks and benefits, mation, it would be very lengthy and would reduce the make decisions about product registrations, quantify the participation in its completion. benefits of conservation practices and market commodities From the data, the majority of U.S. wheat acres do not internationally. receive any glyphosate application. Even though glypho- For wheat, surveys have been done in 2000, 2004, 2006, sate applications have increased over time, only 33 percent 2009, 2012 and 2017. The data from these surveys include of all wheat acres receive glyphosate applications. herbicides like glyphosate. To summarize, the USDA surveys U.S. wheat grow- The USDA’s survey does not separate applications of ers about their agronomic practices involving pesticide any pesticide by when it was applied nor the rate ap- use, including the use of herbicides such as glyphosate. plied. Because of this, it does not allow calculations of the The data shows that glyphosate use has increased over percentage of acres treated. The survey data does show an time, replacing tillage and other herbicides. Without any increase in the overall use of glyphosate on wheat across scientific basis, some groups have mischaracterized this the years surveyed. Over this time period, wheat growers information to claim that U.S. wheat growers commonly in the semi-arid Great Plains region of the U.S. have been “douse” their crop with glyphosate just prior to harvest, relying more on no-till production methods in order to resulting in extremely high glyphosate residues on prod- conserve soil moisture and reduce soil loss due to erosion. ucts made from wheat. The U.S. wheat grower argues this The percentage of wheat acres managed as no till with an is simply not true, and there is data to support it. Wheat additional rotation crop has increased from less than 5 growers are focused on using available technology to pro- percent to more than 20 percent of total acres in both the vide safe, abundant and high-quality wheat supply.

To see the other entries in this series, visit wheatfoundation.org/blog/

36 WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 Seed, Fertilizer & CLASS 8 TRUCKS Chemical Application 521 N. EASTERN • SPOKANE, WA Equipment (509) 534-9088 • [email protected] AGPRO designs the drill to YOUR specs….. Three Drill Frame Designs! Two Opener Styles! Four Seed/Fertilizer Point Options! Seed Boxes from 70-210 bushel!

Drill Widths up to 53 Feet! Ultra-Low Disturbance Drill Frames with 2 or 3 Ranks Cross Slot Openers! and High Flotation Tires Jeana and Austin Bingaman 800-492-2212 Austin Bingaman. Call for details at That is a fun name for a good man! 1112 Airway Ave. Email: [email protected] Lewiston, ID 893501 www.agproinc.com Austin and his wife, Jeana, run a family operation with kids, Isaac and Claira, in the LaGrande, Ore., area. With work and the kids’ school activities, things move along at a pretty good clip! “We’ve been in the Grande Ronde Valley for six generations, now,” Austin said. “We specialize in mint and grass seed production.” % SAVE UP TO 90 That was why they needed to get this SAVE UP TO 90% truck. I have an idea this will be a hard- ONON CHEMICALSCHEMICAL working truck for them. Perfect for such a hard-working family! • Self Calibrating 50 Times Per Second • Adjusts Spray Timing with Speed It’s the people we serve that make our efforts at Class 8 Trucks a labor of love! • One Button Startup • Blanket or Spot Spray with One System Marc B.John Lange Deere (509) Rate991-9088 Controller 2000 • Installs on SP’s, Pull Type and Wheeled Sprayers Scott• Lund Control (509) 5995-5024 products both liquid and granular vantage-pnw.com Jeff Millerwith (509) one 599-9926 controller NOT• JUSTNew TRUCKS,more user friendly interface • TRAILERSControl TOO! up to 16 sections Robb Soliday (509) 988-7018 Jason Emerson (509) 681-0466 www.class8trucksales.com• Allows control of dual or tiered booms

Improve Planting Accuracy Without RTK • 1.2” Seasonal repeatability with SF3 subscription • Fast 30 Minute Pull-In gets you to work quickly • No line-of-sight or cellular coverage issues • Locking bracket available to Tom Wells deter theft ISD Manager 509-770-1271 Fall Planting Incentive: [email protected] Upgrade your Starfire 3000 to a Starfire 6000 with SF3 Andy Garza subscription and the activation ISD Specialist upgrade is ON US! 509-977-1286 $350 value expires 09/30/2017 [email protected]

WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 37 WLPROFILES

Seeding a successful business in the Columbia Basin Augie Kooistra, Augie’s Ag Sales By Kevin Gaffney The hypothesis could be made that Augie Kooistra is a hybrid of sorts, not unlike the hybrid corn and alfalfa seeds he markets to farmers from his Columbia Basin company based in Quincy, Wash. “I was conceived in the Netherlands, but born in British Columbia,” explained Kooistra. “We lived in Fraser Valley, B.C., until our family moved to the small, border-crossing town of Sumas, Wash., when I was 12 years old.” As anyone familiar with Whatcom County knows, it is dairy country and many of the farmers hail from Dutch ancestry. Kooistra grew up working for dairy farmers and graduated from Lynden Christian High School in 1967. Soon after, Kooistra was drafted into the U.S. Army and served briefly in Vietnam until he was injured by a booby trap. After receiving treatment in Japan, he was shipped back to the states to serve with the 82nd Airborne unit on the East Coast. “They were preparing to assign a group of us to new duties. They asked how many had been trained as bakers,” recalled Kooistra. “A few hands went up. Then they asked how many of us could sing and quite a few hands went up. When they explained that there would be a cappella auditions, many hands went back down. I was chosen as one of the candidates to try out. I didn’t mention that I couldn’t read music. “I was handed a hymnal and told to sing a song. Fortunately, the book opened up to ‘Faith of our Fathers,’ a song I knew well. Needless to say, I enjoyed singing with the U.S. Army choir for the final eight months of my Augie Kooistra established Augie’s Ag Sales in 1986. Besides selling corn service. We even had the opportunity to make an album, seed, alfalfa seed and hay inoculant products, Kooistra also markets which was recorded in just one day. To this day, I still can’t Lightning B Hay Moisture Monitors. read music.” After being discharged, Kooistra returned home and “We developed it in a deliberate manner, first drilling worked painting houses, churches and barns. He also the well, then building our home and finally constructing utilized his knowledge of hay and grain farming to begin our warehouse,” said Kooistra. “We also established a corn sales of seed products to farmers. He later reorganized variety test plot. It began as 1/6 of an acre. Our test plots his business, establishing Augie’s Ag Sales in 1986. It are totally hand-planted. We have doubled the size of the was around this time that Kooistra became a born-again plot and hope to field test 75 varieties this coming year.” Christian, an event he said changed his life. His Christian Along with selling corn seed, alfalfa seed and hay in- faith is still a very important part of his life. oculant products, Kooistra also markets Lightning B Hay Kooistra moved to the Quincy area in 1991. He leased Moisture Monitors. The Lightning B monitors have been property where his family lived, and he operated his manufactured by Tate Technologies of Spokane, Wash., business for 10 years. When the opportunity to acquire since the 1980s. Tate Technologies specializes in printed an ideal, seven-acre parcel nearby presented itself, they circuit board manufacturing. purchased it. After Tate landed lucrative contracts in unrelated

38 WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 Washington Wheat Foundation Annex (in Ritzville, Wash.) Rental Includes: Seats 100 • Full service kitchen • Wi-Fi Free coffee and tea • Pull out wall divider 2 large screens • Free parking 18 x 22 lobby to gather or serve buffet Separate board meeting room (seats 12) $50 (0-4 hours) or $100 (4+ hours)

Contact Chauna Carlson at the Washington Wheat Foundation rental line (509) 659-1987

㈀㄀㠀倀䰀䄀一吀䤀一䜀匀䔀䄀匀伀一

䐀爀礀 ☀ 䤀爀爀椀最愀琀攀搀倀愀猀琀甀爀攀縀䴀攀攀琀猀一刀䌀匀匀瀀攀挀猀縀匀䔀䔀䐀䘀伀刀㨀伀爀挀栀愀爀搀䌀漀瘀攀爀 ∠ 䔀爀漀猀椀漀渀䌀漀渀琀爀漀氀縀匀攀攀搀Ⰰ 吀愀最猀Ⰰ 䴀椀砀匀栀攀攀琀猀縀圀椀氀搀氀椀昀攀䠀愀戀椀琀愀琀 ∠ 吀甀爀昀最爀愀猀猀倀漀氀氀椀渀愀琀漀爀猀匀䄀䘀䔀Ⰰ 䌀刀倀縀䠀椀最栀倀䰀匀縀縀䴀椀砀攀搀昀漀爀夀漀甀爀倀氀愀渀琀攀爀吀礀瀀攀縀縀䈀愀最最攀搀椀渀㔀 ᤠ猀漀爀㄀氀戀吀漀琀攀猀縀縀䌀愀氀椀戀爀愀琀椀漀渀䄀猀猀椀猀琀愀渀挀攀縀縀圀栀愀琀圀栀䔀氀猀攀䐀漀夀漀甀一攀攀搀㼀縀

䌀䄀䰀䰀㨀㔀㤀ⴀ㈀㤀㜀ⴀ㐀㔀

伀爀挀愀氀氀吀漀搀搀ᤠ猀挀攀氀氀㨀㔀㤀ⴀ㔀㌀㄀ⴀ㄀㜀㈀䘀愀砀㨀㔀㤀ⴀ㈀㤀㜀ⴀ㐀㔀㔀䔀洀愀椀氀㨀眀爀椀䀀眀攀猀琀攀爀渀爀攀挀氀愀洀愀琀椀漀渀⸀挀漀洀

WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 39 WL PROFILES

fields, they planned to discontinue making the hay moisture monitors, which Kooistra has sold for many years. Kooistra purchased the product line from Tate Technologies. They are still manufacturing the monitors for Augie’s Ag Sales. With his decades of experience working with corn and hay producers, Kooistra qualifies as an industry expert on hay and silage production. “Domestic and international hay buyers have told me that the Columbia Basin produces the highest quality hay in the United States. With that level of quality, proper storage is critically important. “When hay is very dry, it stores with few problems,”

noted Kooistra. “Hay with a higher moisture content can Augie Kooistra’s test plot of corn varieties, located across from his home sustain heat damage or develop mold. This can make it and adjacent to his warehouse. The test plot covers approximately one- inadequate as livestock feed. third of an acre and is hand-planted. “It is generally accepted that hay up to 16 percent moisture is safe. At 17 percent or higher, if you don’t apply Corn seed is his most profitable product. He sells organ- inoculant products, you can have serious problems. ic, conventional and GMO corn seed products. Depending upon the specific local conditions, the growth cycle of corn “There are other hay moisture monitors out there, but can range from 72 days up to 115 days. Longer growing most don’t match up to the Lightning B models,” Kooistra seasons generally produce higher yields. The Columbia said. “Our units take 5,000 readings per second, provid- Basin has large acreages of both field (feed) corn and sweet ing exceptional accuracy. Our units also can take instant corn. Field corn is generally taller with darker tassels than or average readings on the moisture of the hay as it passes sweet corn. through the baler. Our monitors are set up to automati- cally apply the hay inoculant product when the moisture Asked what changes he has seen over the years in the hits the level preset by the farmer.” hay and corn industries, Kooistra describes something Kooistra plans to market the Lightning B monitors more similar to the evolvement of the small grains industry. widely, including international sales. He is considering “Dairies, hay farms and corn farms are all much larger. offers to additional dealers and other companies to help in In the 1970s there were 750 dairies in Whatcom County; this effort. there are just more than 100 now. There are fewer compa-

FARM & HOME SUPPLY 1-888-643-3395 • 509-843-3395 Connell Grange Supply www.fhsupply.com Pomeroy, WA New CaseIH 500, triples, PTO ...... $375,750 2011 Case IH 7088H Hillside Combine, 777 hours, We Deliver w/30’ header ...... $225,750 OBO JD 8630 Wheel Tractor, PTO ...... $15,500 Top Quality 2000 CaseIH 9380 QUAD, PTO ...... $67,750 ’79 IH 1854 Truck w/16 ft. Bed & Hoist, slip tank, Fuels Diesel ...... $8,750 Great Plains 29’ Disc...$35,000 OBO Shop With Us • 24-Hour Pumps Great Plains 3010 No-Till Drill • Bulk Fuel Tanks w/fert. & starter...55,900 Where For Sale Kioti PX9020 Loader-Tractor, Cab, 4x4 ...... $53,850 The Customer • Farm Hardware 3-IH 150 Hoe drills 10 in. space, 14 ft. each, with Is STILL In Stock starter pump kit ...... Make Offer! 1750 Gal. BackPacker, 32’ Chisel, McGregor 1-1/4” The Company! • Full Tire Services round shanks and tine harrow ...... $15,500 • Cattle Equipment Flexicoil 67 Sprayer, 80 ft., Fold back ...... $8,500 OBO TopAir 120 ft. Model 1600 Pull Sprayer, GPS, ultrasonic 343 S. Columbia • Connell, WA booms, duals ...... $89,750 http://www.connellgrange.com 509-234-2631

40 WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 nies manufacturing row crop equipment and providing seed products,” Kooistra said. “I’ve sold Eureka Now with seeds for 15 years. They were bought Planetary out by AgReliant Genetics several Drive years ago. One of my other most popular seed brands is LG, part of Limagrain, which is also a division of AgReliant.” Regardless of these changes, Kooistra has no plans to retire anytime soon and is obviously still enthusiastic about his business. Find out more about Augie’s Ag Sales online at augiesagsales.com.

NEW NITRO 6500 SERIES The highest standard for power to the ground performance.

REVOLUTIONARY PROPULSION SYSTEM • GREATER TORQUE AT ALL SPEEDS • FULL TIME TRACTION CONTROL The all-new Miller NITRO 6500 features an • ELECTRONIC CRUISE CONTROL DRY FERTILIZER EQUIPMENT innovative electronically controlled twin • PROGRAMMABLE SPEED RANGES Nurse Boxes hydrostatic Sauer Danfoss pump system with • INTEGRATED SPEED LIMITING Belt Loaders electronically controlled variable displacement • ANTI-STALL FEATURE Truck Spreaders piston drive motors and Farifield Torque-Hub® Hydraulic Drill Fills planetary final drives. POWER WHEN YOU NEED IT C-200 Cleaners/Treaters The new propulsion system is seamlessly Powered by a proven Cummins® QSL 8.9L turbo Brush Augers 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 Please callGreg 887-253-WEST at 541-786-1000 (9378) or CalvinGreg 541-377-9378at 541-786-1000 sales

509-535-3051 1201010200 Wallowa Wallowa Lake Lake Highway Highway 84083 Alpine84083 Ln Alpine Ln 378 Briar Place 378 Briar206 Place W Main St 1404 N. Regal Spokane, WA La Grande,La Grande, OR OR 97850 97850 Joseph, Joseph,OR 97846 OR 97846Belgrade, MT 59714Belgrade, Dayton, MT 59714 WA 99328 541-963-9378 541-432-9378 406-388-2335 509-382-3022 barberengineering.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 JANUARY 2018 41 Your ad could be here Getting read by thousands of Pacific Northwest farmers and growers. What are you waiting for?

Call Kevin Gaffney at (509) 235-2715

5026 ROTARY CUTTER 15’, 26’, 30’ & 42’ Models Hydraulic phasing 1000 RPM heavy-duty cylinders for level lift dive line Spring steel bushings Suspension for center at all major pivots & wing frames

RS320 ROCK PICKER 3.2 Cubic yard hopper Superior rock picking performance VISIT US AT

www.wheatlife.org SRW 1400 ROCK WINDROWER MORE INTERACTIVE AG NEWS

42 WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION 43 WL ------JANUARY 2018 JANUARY

WGC REPORTS WGC WHEAT LIFE WHEAT Just a month later, a Chilean team month later, a trade visitedJust forward six monthsFast and Washington, and Oregon from theSupport states is PNW incredible. I will Having a full-time technical specialist staff on will seen in have As regions, other we the USW technical prices and stagnant wheat Amid funding, low federal our local staff has known technician a years: for our for folksregion PNW is The urgently in needed. the room tooknote. dinnerSpokane. At with Chairman Squires Glen Miller, the of one team said continues he and buy to Scott Yates, technicalCanadian because Canada wheat offers 24/7 take him didn’t Mike.assistance. for It enough was That get the to long ball rolling. funding technical approved a new support to have Idaho draftedspecialist, have a job description. USW at and we already started have asking potentialWe about candi an on dates informal basis. years asadmit, formative her spent a Montana gal who studying and in playing this the Northwest, kind for of thinkingward surprise does not As a representative me. farmers, the commitment U.S. of advancing our to cause As a marketing me. I cannotmotivates manager, to wait our to Southdemonstrate American customers that we are fully in invest to their ready needs. effectivelyallow us quickly and more to more serve our on compete will wheat customers, but also U.S. help quality all and with utility, the increase goal to demand in the specialist region. The will and execute develop activitiesnew based industry on needs imple and help will he or strategic plan. She long-term USW’s ment on-demand assistanceprovide throughout the and year customers for after support specific follow-up provide USW activities. according the to program skills develops the of special are a unique organization,ist. We and this is a unique but are we looking who of an for, idea have position. We remain are start open many to to possibilities. excited We this also but recognize chapter, next be patient must we ensureto make we plan is the The best choice. possible hireto with someone experience can who make an im exciting think to It’s impact. mediate the of potential for good this person will theon farmers of lives have in the PacificNorthwest. recognizewe this investment with comes great responsi take assured, not Rest do anything we bility. granted. for look us. We shown have theThank for you support you proving investmentforward in to your the future will years come. to for dividends yield - - Writing for the wherefor Writing space By Casey Chumrau By Casey the Column is Chairman’s ordinarily found is intimidating the not chair. It’s you’re when because Mikefitting, however, has served who Miller, as the Washington Grain Commission chairman the for last two years, a significant ad role in played

In September 2015, after than more In September four years based 2015, in Since South 2000, America has significantly increased South America is the natural most U.S. market for technicalUSW programs have around the world Staff Conference in bi-annual Estes its held World USW

vancing be writing I’ll the getto topic And we’ll about. that. headquarters Associates’ inArlington, Wheat (USW) U.S. transferred I was our to South American office Va., in job Chile. as marketingSantiago, My manager newly was resources additional invest to created, part in a move of a farmers.market growing of wheat importance U.S. to imports, as as well share wheat its U.S. of volume its exports.21st Inyears totalof the of U.S. five firstthe mil 1.90 South of Americacentury, importedan average and for accounted wheat U.S. of lion metric tons (mmt) our exports.7 percent of total In wheat the contrast, U.S. South mmt to America 3.49 has of exported an average accounting more for (2012-2017), years the five past over than total percent of exports. 13 However, proximity. exports geographic to wheat due strong faces regionalthe competition U.S. from Argentina is rarely wheat and Canada. Furthermore, U.S. to meaningtheways find cheapest must available, we thedifferentiate part, most For South America it. remains a price-sensitive sophisticated market, but millers and food manufactures will justify paying a higher price for better performance in the mill the or product. end fantasticyielded the results years over and converted customers. wheat U.S. many one-time into loyal buyers In South regularly America, we hire expert technical areconsultants, we the but only region a full- without time technical specialist staff. on Until now! During session a breakout about 2017. in May Colo., Park, technicalNorthwest services Pacific several by attended commissioners, asked someone (PNW) the panel what the need urgent the on most was technical my To front. surprise, two regional directors from Asia “a responded technical specialist confirmed It what in South America.” South to the future! the to South 44 WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION WHEAT LIFE success,” “We’re said. he all in this together.” relationships is tri-state our keyon to by joint overall our projects funding “Building vision Latin newforgingof Pacific markets in America. Northwest’s in January, is the three commissions proud the to together expand came MikeUSW funding. Miller, program term as whose WGC Chairman ended nician will prove program under successful, absorbed and the cost be can fiveis the hope tech the consistentlyyears, After their requirements. meets wheat that U.S. and obtain isgoal to to improve specify ability each sector’s technical overall and mills. skills in bakeries, The the processing industry to designed improve markets and implementing activities American South percent of his assessing the road, time on her or of key the technical needs 60 to spend new hire is The expected Market program. Development Agriculture assistance through the Market Access Program and the Foreign Associates is administering the funding, which includes of U.S. Department contributing $30,000 annually Wheat to five for the position years. U.S. CommissionGrain wheat commissions and Idaho and the Oregon are each Washington The in America. Latin USW technician activities The will support Santiago, in positionbased Associates Wheat technical (USW) staff Chile. created of anewly U.S. to enhance activities the value and productivity fund wheat and grain commissions, to the three organizations jointly agreed In another sign of the Pacific the growing among Northwest’s cooperation together this In tions have 210,000 increased from to 355,000. greatest number—mostlypopula juvenileseal fish.Harbor in terms salmon of weight,the seals most eating with harbor the which whales, haveKiller 292 from eat increased in numbers to 644, by the PacificSalmon Commission, joint a organization. U.S./Canadian which was financed co-authors, of the report’s population,” one salmon said really quantifies tons.metric “This as pressure another yet on recovering 6,100 in from their diet increased the salmon tons metric annually to 15,200 whales haveestimated that seals, fish-eating lions sea harbor and some nothing to with dams do the Columbia-Snake on River System. study The went, of the salmon and ithas the rest researchers where believe they know recently published to in the journal, astudy ScientificReports 2015 16,400 from tons has metric declined to tons metric 9,600 according California between to Alaska Northern fishing1975from in region the and caught of salmon annually number byThe commercial and recreational Hmm, hmm good?

JANUARY 2018 - . Never fear, - episode 50, recap the action. 50,episode the action. recap with Convention, starting recent podcasts, you missed the 2017 Tri-State Growers Grain minute If listenedto anywhere. be and can theservice, episodes download in under a WiFi signal, even or of cellular bars with four appof your choice. agood the podcast With through made iTunes be can downloads or intended medium, and the are smartphones but site, wagrains.org, togoing the WGC web computera desktop by listenedto on be It! can All Wheat About farmers, to PacificNorthwest interest of topics to gram. Dedicated pro 20-minute the about out lords and agribusiness representatives find land farmers, asgrowing busy numbers in listeners ever year first and is its attracting has completed It! podcast AllWheat About WashingtonThe Commission’s Grain (WGC) bandwagon! the Join try’s expansion, listen to episode 40 of the of listen the expansion, 40 to episode try’s the pulseing grown. indus For about more with 121 percent beans garbanzo be more of lentilsduction has increased 154 percent years, pro in Just the last two since 2008. pulse crop acreage has tripled Northwest, of the Pacific isMontana as included part million acres over the last seven If years. (chickpeas), acres to 1.8 grew 600,000 from beans garbanzo and lentils peas, including now, Montana’s but acreage of pulse crops, look crops.Don’t of legume the majority Washington, Idaho and growing Oregon with was Northwest-based, industry In the 1980s and 1990s, the nation’s pulse excitement with Pulsing - Wheat All About It! pod AllWheat About cast, “Not Just Wheat Wheat Just “Not cast, Country Anymore,” Country - available on the the on available wagrains.org. WGC website at - - - - - WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION 45 WL - - - - JANUARY 2018 JANUARY

WGC REVIEWWGC WHEAT LIFE WHEAT

Love, but not in granola not but Love, be important an may parents meals the in Love ingredient but U.S. the prepare Food for children, their Drug and ingredients of on a list no said place has it Administration for Nashoba granola from Nashoba the Brook Bakery based name of Massachusetts.in or usual a common not is “Love The said a letter in company. the to FDA the ingredient,” an remove and warning said heed it will FDA’s the company from list. ingredient the love Data for thought for Data The agricultural land known the as Brazilcerrado in started be to decades about four developed size the times three is It ago. biggerpercent 50 and Texas of U.S. the in grow land the used all to than crops. Some farms are larger than Yosemite National Park. Meanwhile, farm income in the for a fourth $62.3 declining U.S. to is year straight farmers billion $123 record the of half billion, fallen U.S. farm hasn’t income earned 2013. in Overall, mid-1970s. the since a row in four years or 46 percent 12 by farmland U.S. shrunk the in has bring 150 still cerrado could Brazil’s 1982. since acres million production. under acres more million It wasn’t always that way, but recent illnesses caused by E. in caused by coli illnesses but recent way, that always wasn’t It the shown needU.S. the for flour in preventative andhave Canada, microbial control. The Food new control. Safetymicrobial Modernization Act, which what’s required for making fried chicken, a roast or any meat cut. meat required forwhat’s making a roast or fried any chicken, went into effect in September, is intended to prevent contamina to prevent intended is effect into went in September, - ence betweenence demanded for making cleanliness the a pie crust and

tion. Many illnesses attributed to flour are tied to eating the raw prodthe raw attributedeating tiedto flourare illnesses to tion. Many about cooking in high schools now means there is now little now about is there differ cooking means schools now high in No difference between meat, betweenmeat, wheat? difference No Unfortunately, chicken. like be when will It treated is a sad flour day arrived. when use New teachers has guidelines teaching day that tionality. For those who must have it, there are products it, are there that who those have must available For tionality. Ready Eat Cookie to Dough. Nestlé’s Other dough, like raw eat let you load flour microbial the in technologies being reduce are to tested technology. cold plasma including without affectingquality, uct being of used It process made. the in to cookies while are or cakes be activity such because possibility the of concerning eggs was raw of coli, E. to prevent flour transferring treat salmonella. to There ways are used commonly impactsbut process heat the end-use flour’s the func - - -

We’re No. 1! No. We’re importance the measure If you crops of Northwest Pacific the in grown number the acres of by then is wheat planted, 4.1 2016, In crop. top the million acres of winter were wheat spring and planted in Washington, Idaho Oregon. and was Hay 3.3 second at a distant mil seed, grass Barley, acres. lion potatoes and followed.corn Reflectingthe in Northwest dominance wheat’s infrastructure the is been that’s developed to support breed wheat There eight are crop. the breeders, wheat programs,ing seven two wheat geneticists 80 and people who on full time work those breeding teams, utilizing 35,000 square nurseries wheat andfeet 50 greenhouse of space, plots. test 100,000 bered, “but it was a price issue.” bered, issue.” a price “but it was

egated Egypt to an also-ran an egated Egypt to U.S. of wheat terms in status exports. Reflectingthe of Black dominance thegrowing U.S.Sea service Wheat Associates region to country, the Peterson,president Vince closedCairo. in(USW) its has office said need the organization the saw its adjust to USW, of activities Middle the in East North and years Africa several increased. supply the low-priceago of as from wheat Russia Peterson closed, has high-said office Egyptian the Although be to promotedperformance continue will classes wheat Casablanca in Rotterdam. Petersonand offices from USW is saying closure the praised four-person the office, Cairo a reflectionnot of staff. “The office Cairo closeour to need hurts a bit more for me because have and there I worked Thereality known there. business today, four the colleagues Mick, he said. Tom low-cost dominance,” Russia’s is however, (WGC), Grain Commission Washington the of CEO retired years 25 his over times Egyptagreed. many to traveled Mick helm the WGC. the of at He said exports wheat nation the to people about million and all bellies, filling “is nearlyof 100 cheaperthe can get they wheat, the more the bellies can soft loved Egyptians The be wheat, rememhe filled.” white Evolution of a Market of Evolution one most the of once was It important for soft destinations Northwest Pacific the in than more grown with wheat white as sold recently as there class the of metric tons million 1.5 rel patterns trade international changing But 2003/04. 46 WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION WHEAT LIFE Chinese from the University of Kansas, as well as a a well as as University of Kansas, the from Chinese He holds and bachelor’s studies Asian east in degrees VermontCollege in at and National Taiwan University. at Middlebury literature and language Chinese studied he 25 years. Fluent Mandarin, for in Asia east more than U.S.1.7 the from came mmt (mmt), tons of metric 4.41a total nearly million of which imported year, country the marketing last wheat. the In white, No. No. and U.S. spring 6for red 3 for all hard No. the for is 5market soft year, China this far So soon. anytime to change unlikely is that attitude security, an abig crop,”sure said. Coey as that policies the drive wheat. Domestic concerns like commodities when important it comes to strategically security. to national threat on outside supply reliance viewsany a as China said domestic production, Coey to their abackstop as imports view that countries some Unlike less. not limit be year. will But growth the up this are to China white exports on Nov.ing 16. Taiwan from where he was worklink (WGC) Commission Grain avideo via Washington the Kong, spoke with (USW) Hong in Associates based president vice forgional U.S. Wheat wheat Coey, market. who re is Chinese strong 1.3 person the billion flour.” for cake wheatof especially the itself, quality the is welcomedis China in Yates ScottBy A. China’s through Sorting wheat market COUNTRY WEAVES COMPLEX WEB WITH GRAIN TO ADDRESS POLICY GOALS TO POLICY COUNTRY ADDRESS WEAVES GRAIN COMPLEX WEBWITH Coey is a long-time China hand, having worked having hand, in along-time is Coey China The No. food is of government regulators 1concern “They don’t what borders outside happens care of their reputation, soft astrong With such JeffThus Coey’s began of appraisal “The No. white wheat soft 1reason

JANUARY 2018 - - - China and its reluctance to import wheat. toimport reluctance its and China about Commission Grain Washington to the spoke recently Kong, Hong in based president vice regional Associates’ Wheat Coey, Jeff U.S. R - W ASHINGT said. security,” food and income Coey farm place last behind in are percent. 23 of only on TRQ usage show average an rate fill WTO the China’s to lished, notifications TRQ was estab the since And driven. policy mainly but are mind, in concerns China. wheat in forwell as other users for market global wheat enters the on its account own as company, trading government grain the COFCO,chases, (NDRC).Commission When it’s pur to make authorized government’sthe National Development Reform and by set goals to policy address utilized largely been has practice, in which was held entities, by state trading Private compa Private concerns bakers’ and “Millers’ COFCO’s commercial with made partly are decisions quota of percent 90 the that made sure But China EP ON GRAINC nies would certainly wouldnies certainly rate is 65 percent. rate percent. 65 is duty.percent Without duty TRQ, the obligation, wheat to import the at 1 have right, but TRQ, importers not the mmt of imported wheat ofmmt imported annually. With able (TRQ) Rate Tariff Quota up to 9.64 avail was to make China agreement, WTO accession of the part As imports. to limit country’s ability the constrain should trade rules 2000, certain in Worldthe Trade (WTO) Organization to ascended country when the visioned major was wheat en the that importer marketing. and business international was in concentration where his Madison, Universit the from Administration ofMaster Business OR Although China has never has become China Although OMMISSION y of Wisconsin- y - TS - - - WGC REPORTS WL use more of the TRQ given current market conditions. The problem is the government is not releasing unused quota wheat, though this is required under WTO rules. Coey said having more access to the TRQ would help private millers import the higher quality wheat like soft white and hard red spring they need at the low tariff rate to meet increasing end-use demand. Most of WASHINGTON COMMISSION GRAIN the increased imports would come from the U.S., Canada and Australia. Encouraging China to make available 9.64 mmt of TRQ annually through a transparent re-allocation process is the goal of the complaint brought to the WTO by the U.S. Trade Representative at the request of USW and depending on the international market for about 2 to 4 percent of their needs. the National Association of In addition to controlling imports with the TRQ, the government also sets a Wheat Growers. The case is minimum procurement price for wheat that is well above global market prices. now nearing the argument Currently, Chinese farmers are receiving more than $9 a bushel for wheat, providing phase in Geneva. incentives to continue production. If the TRQ were fully uti- Asked by WGC Commissioner Dana Herron if China’s industrialization will lized, China would become change agricultural policies in the long run, Coey doubts policy makers will ever the third largest importing give up self-sufficiency as a goal. nation in the world after “In the near term, we are looking at China as a variable importer driven by policy Egypt and Indonesia—and that is determined by how good the Chinese crop is,” he said, adding that the 2017 they would still be 92 percent crop was much better than in the last few years. self-sufficient in wheat. Recently, they have been In response to another question, Coey said the purchase of Syngenta by ChemChina is a further effort by China to ensure self- sufficiency in wheat. He said it’s still unknown how Chinese farmers will respond to better wheat genetics given that there are at present no clear incentives to pay extra for those genetics. Asked whether China would ever sell part of the estimated 50 percent of world wheat stocks it now holds, Coey doesn’t think so. “The people I talk to say that wheat is locked up,” Coey said. “It might as well be on the moon.”

WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 47 WL WGC REPORTS Follow your wheat! Another successful Pacific Northwest Export Tour and Wheat Quality Workshop was completed in November with 23 participants taking part in the Washington Grain Commission-sponsored program that follows farmers’ wheat after it leaves the field. The bus trip to Portland has pick- ups in Spokane, Ritzville, Connell and Pasco. A tour of the Bonneville Dam and Locks leads off the event. In 2017, the second day started with a visit to the Mondelez (Nabisco) bakery and the Columbia Export Terminal. The rest of the afternoon was spent at the Shaver Transportation’s Ken Ritter (right) gave a history of the company and how it has been Wheat Marketing Center. Participants providing barge service for wheat farmers since 1881. learned about export market logistics from a representative of Pacificor LLC. U.S. Wheat Associates staff briefed the group on overseas markets. The evening wrapped up with a demon- stration of traditional noodle making and an authentic Chinese dinner at the Mandarin House. On the last morning, pilots from the Columbia River Bar Pilots and the Columbia River Pilots explained their role moving ships within the Columbia River system. This was followed by staff from the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association Jimmy Pan (left), Portland Federal Grain Inspection Service’s supervisory agricultural commodity WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION WASHINGTON providing an overview of the sig- grader, demonstrates to the group how wheat is inspected and graded prior to being loaded onto a nificance of maintaining the river ship for export. system and the importance of federal funding. The tour then visited Shaver Transportation where everyone board- ed the company’s tug, “Washington,” for a cruise on the Willamette River. A stop for lunch and a brewery tour at the Full Sail Brewery in Hood River, Ore., completed the program. Next year’s tour dates have been set for Nov. 27-29, 2018. If you are interested in going on the tour, sign up by calling the Washington Grain Commission at (509) 456-2481. Space is limited! Kathleen Gehring of the Wheat Marketing Center demonstrates how to bake flatbread.

48 WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 WGC REPORTS WL WASHINGTON COMMISSION GRAIN

Shaver Transportation’s tug, “Washington,” provided the participants a ride on the Willamette River.

Bon Lee of the Wheat Marketing Center shows how the falling numbers test is conducted.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineer park ranger, Monty Biggs, explains how the Bonneville Dam has evolved and grown in the area to accommodate expansion to the Participants get an up-close look at the Bonneville Power Washington side of the river. generators inside the dam.

WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 49 WL WGC REPORTS Hunting for genes FALLING NUMBER PROJECT SEEKS TO REDUCE RISK BY BREEDING FOR GENETIC RESISTANCE By Camille Steber, Michael Pumphrey and Arron Carter In 2016, Eastern Washington farmers were surprised when a record- yielding harvest was marred by steep discounts caused by low falling numbers. The Hagberg-Perten Falling Number (FN) Test measures starch degradation by the alpha-amylase enzyme based on the time in seconds needed for a stirrer to fall through a gravy made by heating and stirring a flour/water mixture. Alpha-amylase chops up long starch chains into shorter starch ones, lowering the gelling capacity of the gravy and the time required for the stirrer to fall through the gravy. Most foreign customers tender for a minimum falling number of 300 seconds because poor end-use quality, including falling cakes, sticky bread and mushy noodles, are associated with lower scores. As luck would have it, the 2017 crop showed little or no falling number problems. Based on a survey of 672 Washington State University (WSU) Cereal Variety Trial entries, only seven soft white winter and The Steber lab studies resistance to low falling four soft white spring locations had few varieties under the 300 second numbers. From left to right, front to back are mark (http://steberlab.org/project7599.php). Compare this to 17 soft Camille Steber, Stephanie Sjoberg, Courtney Broedlow, Wenjing Ge, Rehana Parveen, Tracy white winter and 14 soft white spring locations that had many low FN Harris, Samantha Conselman, and Shantel values in 2016. Martinez. As in 2015, we found many of the 2017 samples with FN under 300 seconds did not have elevated alpha-amylase levels. Elevated temperatures during grain filling in the spring may have caused poor starch accumulation in the grain, but this caused only a mild reduction in FN. Relying on luck to prevent discounts due to low FN, however, is not an option. The goal of the Washington Grain Commission-funded Falling Numbers Project led by Camille Steber, Michael Pumphrey and Arron Carter, is to reduce risk by breeding for genetic resistance to low FN. Breeding for higher FN is complicated by the fact that alpha-amylase WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION WASHINGTON can be triggered by two causes: preharvest sprouting and late maturity alpha-amylase. Preharvest sprouting is the germination of grain on the mother plant when rainy conditions occur before harvest. Late maturity alpha-amylase (LMA) is the induction of alpha-amylase by large temperature swings during late grain filling. Problems with low FN in 2013 were due mainly to spouting, and to a lesser extent, LMA. Preharvest sprouting was prevalent in both soft white winter and spring wheat. Thus, the initial emphasis of the project was to map genes for preharvest sprouting tolerance. Resistance to preharvest sprouting largely results from high grain dormancy at maturity. Dormant grain cannot germinate, even if it gets wet. Dormancy is lost either through a period of dry storage called after-ripening or by the combination of rain with cool temperatures. Dormancy loss is the reason that wheat is more likely to sprout if the temperatures drop during a rain event. After-ripening is the reason that sprouting is more likely if the wheat has stood dry in the field for awhile after maturity.

50 WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 WGC REPORTS WL

FIGURE 1: Chromosome maps showing that PNW genes/QTL

providing resistance to preharvest sprouting (QPHS.wsu) mapped WASHINGTON COMMISSION GRAIN close to known sprouting genes, while one gene associated with higher FN (QFN.wsu) was located within an area of chromosome 7B associated with LMA resistance. Genes from this study are shown in Shantel Martinez (left) and Rehana Parveen take notes on a winter LMA black, whereas previously identified genes and regions are labeled mapping population. Martinez mapped genes for preharvest sprouting by colored names and boxes, respectively. and low FN tolerance. Parveen led the LMA effort in the 2017 field season.

Preharvest sprouting tolerance genes were mapped poor germination and emergence, especially from deep in a four-year, genome-wide association study using a planting. A combination of genes that gives good dor- panel of 470 soft white winter wheat lines representing mancy/sprouting tolerance at maturity that is lost within seven northwest breeding programs. Quantitative trait 6 to 10 weeks of after-ripening is needed to avoid prob- loci (QTL) were mapped based on falling numbers in the lems with poor emergence in winter wheat. This is being field after natural or artificial rain (called QFN.wsu) and done by comparing sprouting scores and FN to emer- on controlled greenhouse preharvest sprouting using gence data for two mapping populations. A genomic spike-wetting tests (called QPHS.wsu). We use the term selection strategy will be developed in cooperation with QTL instead of gene because at this point, we can’t judge WSU genomic statistician, Zhiwu Zhang. if we’re dealing with one or more genes at a given map The 2016 field season was a big eye-opener, because location. there was a widespread problem with LMA compound- Nine QFN.wsu associated with higher FN and 34 ed by some preharvest sprouting. Whereas red kernel QPHS.wsu loci associated with sprouting tolerance were color provides some resistance to sprouting, it does not identified. Two QPHS.wsu mapped close enough to provide resistance to LMA. So we wound up with low cloned sprouting tolerance genes, MKK3 and MFT-3A, FN problems in both soft white and hard red cultivars. that we think they may be the same genes (see Figure In the 2017 field season, we launched an intensive ef- 1). Interestingly, the QFN.wsu QTL mapped using grain fort to map LMA loci in winter and spring wheat. To do grown in Central Ferry, Wash., in 2016 landed in a region this, we had to greatly scale up field LMA testing. Wheat of chromosome 7B containing a large QTL associated spikes were harvested between 26 and 30 days after with LMA resistance, as well as known quality and FN pollen shedding and subjected to a cold shock for seven QTL. This points to the importance of LMA in determin- days. Thus far, 160 of 1,200 lines have been checked for ing 2016 falling numbers. LMA using FN and alpha-amylase enzyme assays. While the first mapping study provided the molecular The data looks good because low FN values are associ- markers needed to select early breeding lines for prehar- ated with elevated alpha-amylase levels. The goal is to vest sprout resistance, ongoing work will balance this map LMA resistance genes in Northwest wheat, thereby with good seedling emergence. If grain remains dormant improving our ability to breed for stable falling numbers, too long after maturity, then it may cause problems with an outcome based on science, not luck.

The goal is to map LMA resistance genes in Northwest wheat, thereby improving our ability to breed for stable falling numbers, an outcome based on science, not luck

WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 51 52 WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION WHEAT LIFE Northwest. Pacific the storage in for farmers costs mayprices not improve enough to cover world and supplies for most grains, by record or near-record constrained be still but will prices spring, this into for slight improvementare price going below break-even levels. Expectations for wheat most remain farmers, prices year, however, marketing current and 1).(Figure topped out Prices the early in of years decline consecutive four lowing fol spring, last average starting prices aslight improvement to see monthly in year basis. year-over- a on were nearly unchanged programs two payments under the total about $1.3 2016, from billion on net, so by payments saw decline program total Coverage Risk (ARC) Agricultural the in to wheat producers. Producers enrolled was accounted for by payments increase 2017.in percentage The of the largest $1.9from 2016 in billion to $3.1 billion Coverage (PLC) increased program Loss Price the in enrolled farmers grain of U.S. part on the lion wheat farmers. of areduction about $0.5represents bil sold. This quantity total the in reduction lag 2016 due 6percent by almost to a 2016. from percent for receipts 2017crop down about are 2 Income U.S. Forecast anticipates cash Agriculture’s (USDA) 2017 Sector Farm Tangled web woven wheat, from barley outlooks W Market conditions continue to sug continue conditions Market wheatWashington producers began governmentDirect payments to Wheat for 2017 to sales estimated are WASHINGTON COMMISSION GRAIN

JANUARY 2018 HEAT U.S. of Department 2017for the crop, the prices grain average in improvement Fortenbery T.By Randall Despite aslight - - - global wheatglobal production. in year-over-yearincrease consecutive fifth 2).(Figure the constitutes This 2017, of December as tons metric slightly above just 2016 production wheat stocks. global arow of year in record third the mark will This tive estimates. to earlier rela production in reduction Australian despiterecord large asignificant June 1, from 2017, year runs (the marketing to May 31, 2018) be again will world that gest 2017/18 end of at the wheat the stocks year marketing Figure 2: Figure 1: W million metric tons $/bushel leads to most private economic environment analysts The challenging Global wheat 2017 production in 755.21 to be was estimated million 580 600 620 640 660 680 700 720 740 760 780 $3.50 $4.00 $4.50 $5.00 $5.50 $6.00 $6.50 $7.00 $7.50

JAN 2009 FEB MAR

APR Washington monthly wheat prices World wheat production

MAY ATCH 2014

2010 JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT

2011 NOV

World WheatProduction DEC JAN FEB MAR

2012 APR MAY 2015 JUN JUL AUG 2013 SEP OCT U.S. ShareofWorld Production NOV DEC JAN 2014 FEB MAR APR MAY 2016 JUN 2015 JUL AUG SEP OCT

2016 NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR

2017 APR 2017 MAY JUN JUL

0.00% 1.00% 2.00% 3.00% 4.00% 5.00% 6.00% 7.00% 8.00% 9.00% 10.00% AUG SEP

OCT - WHEAT WATCH WL believe that total wheat acres in 2018 will again be down Figure800,000 3: Lentil acres 80,000 this year relative to the previous year. As of December 2017, it appeared most market watchers were expecting 700,000 70,000 winter wheat acres seeded this past fall to total just more 600,000 60,000 than 31 million, compared to 32.7 million last year. While 500,000 50,000 there has been a shift for a number of years from wheat acres to corn and soybean acres in the Dakotas (several 400,000 40,000

private analysts are expecting record soybean acres 300,000 30,000 and Idaho Washington Montana and North Dakota across the U.S. this coming year), we are also starting to see other acreage shifts in northern wheat-producing 200,000 20,000 states. 100,000 10,000

Figure 3 shows lentil acres over the last five years for 0 0 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 several states, including Washington. Notice the tremen- Montana North Dakota Idaho WASHINGTON dous growth in lentil plantings in Montana and North WASHINGTON COMMISSION GRAIN Dakota (largely coming at the expense of wheat acres). Figure 4: Barley production While Idaho and Washington have not had the same 230000 16000 magnitude of change as Montana and North Dakota,

they also show signs of shifting from wheat to more 210000 14000 lentils in response to the poor wheat price environment.

Other pulse crops are also drawing attention from wheat 190000 12000 farmers. Even though Washington wheat acres and produc- 170000 10000 tion declined significantly between 2016 and 2017, total

U.S. Production (1000 bushels) 150000 8000

Washington wheat value for 2017 will likely exceed Production (1000 bushels) Washington the 2016 value, in contrast to the national picture for 130000 6000 wheat. According to the USDA’s most recent estimate, Washington’s total agricultural production was valued 110000 4000 at $10.6 billion in 2016. Of that, wheat ranked fifth with a 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 U.S. Washington total production value of $657 million. If USDA’s current wheat price projections for the 2017/18 crop year hold up, relatively narrow range over the last year, averaging the 2017 Washington wheat crop will likely exceed that value by almost $100 million despite lower total produc- between the low $2.30 per bushel levels to just more tion. While this is still well below the $1 billion crop than $2.50 per bushel (malting barley prices averaged harvested in the early years of the current decade, it is a almost twice that). In general, feed barley prices offered significant improvement over the previous three years. to Washington producers are lower than the U.S. average barley price. Washington producers selling feed barley in Washington grain farmers have not only been cutting the summer of 2017 were receiving about $0.40 per bush- back on wheat acres the last couple of years, but barley el less than for the same period in 2016. Like last year, acres have been down as well (see Figure 4). Between feed barley prices in Washington seemed to be averaging 2010 and 2013, Washington barley acres more than about $0.30 per bushel below the national average price. doubled, but fell about 16 percent in 2017 relative to 2016 and were below 100,000 acres for the first time since 2010. The decline in barley production, both nationally In addition, Washington barley producers experienced and in Washington, does not appear to be providing much lower yields in 2017 compared to 2016. In 2016, much support to barley prices. As a result, we will likely barley yields across Washington averaged 77 bushels per see another decrease in total barley acres for the 2018 acre, just under the national average of 77.9 bushels per harvest. Current price levels make it difficult to compete acre. This fell to 53 bushels per acre in 2017, almost 20 with wheat and most pulse crops, and less price im- bushels per acre less than the 2017 national average. provement is currently expected for barley going for- In contrast to wheat, USDA is actually projecting U.S. ward compared to wheat. barley prices will be lower this marketing year compared Randy Fortenbery holds the Thomas B. Mick Endowed Chair to last. This is expected despite a significant reduction in in Grain Economics at Washington State University. He re- year-over-year barley ending stocks for 2017/18. ceived his Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from the University Washington barley prices have tended to trade in a of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign.

WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 53 WL FEATURE Ag as art Kim Matthews Wheaton takes to the fields of Eastern Washington for inspiration | By Heidi Scott

rt lovers were recently delighted with a discov- built me a large, shallow box that held my paints, palette Aery hidden inside a Vincent van Gogh painting. A and brushes. I also made small boards with canvas glued conservator found a tiny grasshopper, or what was left on the top,” she explained. “I pulled over on the side of of it, after 128 years embedded in the paint of van Gogh’s the road, climbed in the back, set out my paints and got to “Olive Trees.” This was not a huge shock to art experts, work.” however, as he was known to paint outside and even Wheaton found the practice worked so well that she apologized in letters for sand, leaves and other debris on continues to paint from inside her Honda, even today, his canvases. flattening the back seats to provide the space she needs. Painting outdoors, or en plein air, has been done for cen- This unusual sight occasionally draws attention on those turies, allowing artists to paint what they see and feel. But remote, dusty roads. the practice has limitations. Rain, wind, animals, dust and “Occasionally, someone will pull over to make sure that of course, bugs. I am okay, and some people drive by slowly, wondering Kim Matthews Wheaton, a Moses Lake, Wash.-based what I am up to, but no one has ever bothered me or asked artist, found a modern way to solve a few of those prob- me to leave.” lems when she paints the wheat fields of the Pacific She explained her unique approach to painting. Northwest. Her en plein air practice is a bit unique. “I sit in the car because it does protect me from too “When we moved to Eastern Washington and I began to much sun, too much wind and perhaps insects. Or when paint this landscape, I would climb into my Honda Pilot it’s very hot or very cold. I don’t look for perfect conditions. and start driving all over the state on small highways and I usually go out when I am feeling the need for some new dirt roads, looking for views that inspired me. A friend inspiration: new colors, new compositions or new terrain.

Winter by Kim Matthews Wheaton

54 WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 FEATURE WL

It can be a little cramped at times, but it usually only takes orist; her sister is a designer; and her younger brother is me about 45 minutes to do a little study. Then I get out and an architect. Their mother was always painting when they stretch and look for a new location. I do discover paint in were growing up, using her children as models to practice strange places, like on the ceiling. Sometimes I hold a long portraits. She would talk about how she saw shapes and brush in my mouth and turn my head without thinking. But being out in the middle of nowhere, by myself, listen- ing to music is very enjoyable. I get into the zone, as they say, and it’s pretty great!” In this setting, Wheaton paints small canvases, called studies. She also takes photographs for future reference. Armed with these, she goes back to the studio to decide what size the final piece will be. She likes to paint canvases that are 24” x 48” or 24” x 60”, but particularly loves to paint very long horizons, up to 18” x 66”. Lately, she is trying to work on smaller and more vertical paintings, but she admits that she loves the large ones most. heaton is a well-traveled woman. Born in New York WCity and raised in Connecticut until she was eight, her family relocated to San Francisco in 1959. “It was an adjustment moving to a city from Connecticut, where we could roam around in the woods colors, instilling in the children a keen awareness of their until dinner time. But I loved living in San Francisco and surroundings. still feel very lucky that I grew up there. I discovered that I “My mother was a big influence, helping me to really was much more comfortable in the West. I traveled a lot in SEE. My siblings are also great to talk to. I also benefit my 20s, living in France and Germany, but loved coming from talking with artist friends, who can help critique my back to the West Coast.” work,” Wheaton said. San Francisco was a good place for this family of artists. Rather than go to art school, Wheaton received her Her mother was a painter; her older brother is a watercol- Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of California-

Afternoon Thunderstorm by Kim Matthews Wheaton

WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 55 WL FEATURE

Berkeley. She found that she loved the diversity, being surrounded by people from all over the world studying different disciplines. It was a great fit for her. “A close friend of mine who had been an art professor in San Francisco once told me that the best thing about not going to an art school was that I was able to develop my own style and was not influenced by a particular school’s style.” Artists who inspire her include Russell Chatham, Richard Diebenkorn, Andrew Wyeth, Edward Hopper and Wayne Thiebaud. But her work is uniquely her. “I don’t go to workshops, as a lot of people do. I’d rather spend that time alone in my studio, painting.” Bailing Season by Kim Matthews Wheaton Wheaton’s goal is to simplify is distinctive. “My palette is very a red, two blues and a lot of titanium landscape and still make it end- simple. Many artists use all sorts of white! I mix all of my colors, from lessly fascinating. Her use of color tubes of paint, but I use two yellows, rich blacks to pale grays and a thou- sand other shades,” she said. Since school, her life has been rich and varied. She travelled all over the world and went through many phases of artistic interest. She mar- ried, raised four children and found a new home in Moses Lake in 1997, where she fell in love with the wheat fields and the landscape that surrounded her. Eastern Washington’s vastness inspired her like nowhere else she’d been. “I love to find places where you can see as far in the distance as possible. I love distance, openness and endlessness and want my paintings to have a feeling of looking into infinity,” she explained. o Wheaton, art is something Tshe’ll never quit. “I’d like to be painting right up until the day I die. I feel so lucky to have this gift, and I intend to never stop.” She even recently purchased a drone, which will allow her to see even farther into the distance.

Palouse Series by Kim Matthews Wheaton The art of Kim Matthews Wheaton

56 WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 is shown in the Howard Mandville Gallery in Kirkland, Wash., as well as many other galleries across the state, including the Confluence Gallery in Twisp; the Moses Lake Museum of Art and Culture; Dodson’s Jewelers in Spokane; and the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture also in Spokane. She’s even had a couple of shows in Paris and a large show with her brother, William Matthews, the successful watercolor- ist from Denver. For more information about Kim Matthews Wheaton, go to her website kimmatthewswheaton.com.

IS YOUR CRP CONTRACT EXPIRING?

Let our ag land and marketing experience turn your CRP acres into $ MONEY IN THE BANK $

C.D. “Butch” Booker Broker/Auctioneer 809 N. Main, Colfax WA 99111 509-397-4434 • Licensed in Wash. [email protected] www.kincaidrealestate.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 JANUARY 2018 57 ON LEASE FOR AND ABOUT LANDLORDS IN WASHINGTON STATE Profile: The Bauer Family Partnership Editor’s Note: Did you know that visited her grandfather and the land regularly. She now lives in Lynnwood, in Washington state, the National Wash. Walthew and her two siblings, Michael, who lives on the west side of Agricultural Statistics Service esti- the state, and Ann, who lives in the Tri-Cities area, operate as the Bauer Family mates nearly 4 million acres of cropland Partnership and work with Schoesler under a crop share agreement. Walthew are leased out by landlords who aren’t acts as COO, paying bills and deciding when to sell their portion of the crop. directly involved on the farm? Some She said Michael and Ann are mostly silent partners in the agreement. They get of those landlords are former farmers, a year-end accounting but are otherwise not involved. but many of them aren’t, and we think “I think I have more of an emotional attachment to the land because of the they might have questions. With that in time I spent there with my grandfather,” Walthew said. Schoesler’s father, Gerry, mind, welcome to our newest feature, a also farmed the land for Walthew’s family. space specifically for landlords. In this Under a share crop agreement, a landlord shares in the expense of growing a column, we’ll be delving into the issues crop on the land—not to mention the risk—and receives a share of the crop as that people who lease out farmland face payment. Walthew said operating under a share crop agreement gives her a way and trying to answer some of their ques- to stay involved with what her tenant is doing, follow wheat prices and continue tions. We’ll also be profiling landlords learning about growing the grain. to tell their stories. If you are a landlord or a tenant with a question, please email “Otherwise, it would just be like an investment,” she explained. [email protected]. We are also looking One of the hardest parts of being a landlord, according to Walthew, is find- for more landlords to profile, so send us ing the right tenant to farm the land. For anyone thinking about becoming a some names! landlord of farmed ground, she advised them to learn more about the industry By Trista Crossley and stay informed of what’s happening in the region where the land is located. Walthew herself regularly attends the Tri-State Grain Growers Convention In a roundabout way, Janet and uses publications like Wheat Life to understand what’s happening in the Walthew’s relationship with her tenant goes back more than 130 years. That’s when her great-grandfather traveled across the country by wagon to settle in Ritzville and start raising wheat. In that same group of German Russian farmers who settled in Ritzville were the rela- tives of her current tenant, Mark Schoesler. “My grandfather (Henry Bauer) was one of the last farmers to go to using a tractor. Mother was an only child, which is one reason why, that as a fourth generation, the land is still in the same family,” Walthew said. Besides growing wheat, Bauer also raised Belgium horses. During WWII, he had trouble finding enough help for the farm, so he began leasing the land to Elmer In this undated photo, Henry Bauer rides a combine on his farm near Ritzville while an unidentified Schoesler in the 1940s. woman looks on. Bauer died in 1955, and his farm is now leased out by his grandchildren. Photo Walthew grew up in Pasco, but courtesy of Janet Walthew.

58 WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 ON LEASE WL industry. She also listens to the Washington Grain Commission’s weekly podcast and subscribes to the Ritzville newspaper. She checks the Ritzville Warehouse Company’s website daily to monitor prices and keeps an eye on the local weather. Walthew is in regular communica- tion with Schoesler throughout the year. He lets her know what’s happening on the farm, such as when he’s applying fertilizer, what he’s planting and so on. Walthew said his goal is that there are no surprises between them.

“Mark is the expert, and I trust In this undated photo, Elmer Schoesler talks to an unidentified woman on the Bauer farm near him,” she said. “I want to be knowl- Ritzville. Schoesler leased the land from Henry Bauer beginning in the 1940s. Now Elmer’s grandson, Mark Schoesler, leases the same land from Bauer’s grandchildren. Photo courtesy of Janet Walthew. edgeable when I’m talking to my farmer.” Walthew hopes that her and her said that idea is hard to contemplate. sibling’s children will keep the land “I really find that farmers are very hard working, intelligent and well in- in the family, but knows at some formed. They amaze me. They are mechanical, but they also have to understand point it may end up being sold. She the business side of things,” she said.

Moses Lake Area 509-770-0769

WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 59 THE BOTTOM LINE Crop insurance is for landlords, too By Curtis Evanenko very good policy, providing excellent financial protection. McGregor Risk Management Services However, the additional expense of RP may not be neces- This month, the topic for discussion is centered around sary, and YP may be sufficient. In a nutshell, RP “guaran- landlords and their need for crop insurance. Frankly this tees” a set dollar amount of protection at the sales closing is an ongoing debate, and for me, it depends greatly on date of Sept. 30. For individuals needing the assurance of a the individual circumstance as each situation is different. specific, guaranteed dollar amount of protection, RP is the Consideration must be given to what risk(s) exist; most no- best policy to provide this peace of mind. table, are there crop input expenses jeopardized if there’s a YP provides a production guarantee (bushels or pounds, crop failure due to naturally occurring events? Specifically, depending on the commodity) at a price announced by the if the crop failed, would this create a financial burden or Risk Management Agency reflecting the current market. hardship on the landlord entity? The stark difference between RP and YP is guaranteed Previously, crop disaster type payments administered revenue vs. guaranteed production. YP may be a viable by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through option for those only needing to protect income necessary the local county Farm Service Agency office were based to pay for property taxes as an example. and made upon the level of crop insurance participation. Either RP and YP can be coupled with an enterprise unit The 2014 Farm Bill did not contain “coupling” language, (EU) option to help further reduce the cost of protection. thereby removing the “requirement” of crop insurance for Please note, EU is NOT for everyone. A complete knowl- USDA payment eligibility. The crop insurance options are edge and understanding of the application and limita- the same and available to any and all that have an insur- tions must be considered when contemplating this option. able interest in the crop to be grown and harvested. Specific to wheat, all spring wheat and winter wheat Landlords that actively participate in and share the in- would be considered as a single unit, meaning a shortfall put costs of producing a crop on their land have a greater of spring wheat acres could be offset by production from financial risk at stake than landlords that do not. Granted, winter wheat acres and result in no payable loss. the lease arrangement will reflect participation or not; I would also recommend that the landlord and opera- however, a greater crop share compensates for the higher tor employ and have nearly identical policy coverage. This expense and risk exposure incurred by the landlord will help avoid any potential coverage gaps for all parties participation. involved. For example, the Winter Coverage Endorsement As crop insurance agents, we (WCE), which has been discussed in this column previ- encourage all individuals who have ously (see the August/September 2017 a vested interest in the crop to be issue of Wheat Life at wheatlife.org/ insured. That said, I also believe we Sponsored by the pastissues.html), mandates specific ac- all work to put the best interests of Agricultural Marketing tion on behalf of the insured to remain the insured at the forefront and tailor & Management compliant with policy language for an insurance plan and risk protection coverage to remain in force. If there is strategy that best meets the needs and Organization. a conflict between the policy coverage exposures for that particular indi- For more information and of landlord and the tenant, the actions vidual. If you honestly don’t believe a schedule of classes visit required of the tenant policy contract that to be the case with your agent, wawg.org/ammo-workshops/ need to be consistent and favorable for seek counsel from another agent to all parties insured. review your situation and request their Additional products available recommendation. include private products for crop hail Multiperil Crop Insurance (MPCI) and fire. Location drives the cost of comes in two options for wheat: rev- crop hail insurance, as it is specifically enue protection (RP) and yield protec- rated to a county township and range. tion (YP). I believe the RP policy to be a Rates can vary significantly within a

60 WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 county, prior experience and history being the driver of said rates. Crop hail provides coverage for hail, fire and lighting, wind and some Tax-free Income Is the transit coverage. On the other hand, Best Gift You Can Give grain fire rates are very inexpensive Yourself at Retirement and consistent for the region, but provide for only the peril of fire. All growers that have underlying MPCI should have a fire insurance policy at a minimum as the MPCI policy does not provide any coverage for manmade fires—combine, truck, passerby, etc. Why do you have crop insurance—habit or need? Again, and With an Edward Jones Roth IRA, any earnings are tax-free as mentioned previously, talk with and distributions can be taken free of penalties or taxes.* your agent and have them help You may even beneﬁt from converting a traditional IRA to design the best protection package a Roth IRA. At Edward Jones, we spend time getting to that fits your needs. Keep in mind that a landlord and tenant utilizing know your goals so we can help you reach them. the same crop insurance agent is not required, yet a coordinated effort of coverage is essential for all. I wish all a blessed New Year!

Curtis Evanenko has more than 25 To learn more about why an Edward Jones Roth IRA may years of crop insurance experience make sense for you, call or visit today. serving the Pacific Northwest from both the wholesale and retail sides of the business. He currently serves as a risk management advisor with McGregor Risk Management. He can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at (509) 540-2632. Jay Mlazgar AAMS® Greg Bloom Hank Worden Terry A. Sliger Financial Advisor Financial Advisor Financial Advisor Financial Advisor 609 S. Washington Professional Mall I I 109 S. Second Ave 1329 Aaron Drive Ste. 203 1260 SE Bishop Blvd. Ste C Walla Walla, WA 99362 Richland, WA 99352 Moscow, ID 83843 Pullman, WA 99163 509-529-9900 509-943-2920 208-882-1234 509-332-1564 800-964-3558 888-943-2920

Joy Behen Chris Grover AAMS® Brian E. Bailey AAMS® Ryan Brault CFP® Financial Advisor Financial Advisor Financial Advisor Financial Advisor 6115 Burden Blvd. Ste A 1835 First Street 303 Bridge Street Ste. 3 3616 W. Court St. Ste. I Pasco, WA 99301 Cheney, WA 99004 Clarkston, WA 99403 Pasco, WA 99301 509-542-1626 509-235-4920 509-758-8731 509-545-8121 877-542-1626 866-235-4920 866-758-9595 888-545-8126

www.edwardjones.com * Earnings distributed from a Roth IRA may be subject to Member SIPC taxes and a 10% penalty if the account is less than ﬁve years old and the owner is under age 59½.

Edward Jones, its employees and ﬁnancial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. Please consult your attorney or qualiﬁed tax advisor regarding your situation.

WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 61 Your wheat life... Email pictures to [email protected]. Please include location of picture, names of all people appearing in the picture and ages of all children.

Elliot Dingman (1), son of Marcus and Emily Dingman, Sisters Maureen Smith Bourne (left) and Beth Smith shows a natural aptitude for the combine despite his McNeill in the fields of the Smith Homestead near Sprague. young age. The Dingman’s farm in Grant County. Photo Photo by Loi Bourne-Lutes by Austin Dingman.

Kevin Lyle samples tailings for grain loss at the rear of the combine near Hatton. Kevin’s son, Alex Lyle, is at the controls. Photo by Chris Lyle. (Above) Counting down the days until harvest starts at Duck Lake Farms near Harrington. Picture by Heather Wagner.

(Above) Throwback to January 2017 at the Pete Carstensen farm north of Almira. Photo by Darcy Carstensen. (Right) Delilah Waldher (3) and Daphne Waldher (6) on a visit to help grandpa Nick Waldher in Pomeroy. Photo by Elizabeth Waldher. HAPPENINGS

All dates and times are subject to change. A community celebration with events nonmembers is $25. Preregister at least 3 Please verify event before heading out. for the whole family. Deer Park, Wash. days in advance by calling (877) 740-2666 deerparkchamber.com or print out and mail registration form at JANUARY 2018 wawg.org/ammo-workshops/ FEBRUARY 2018 4 SOIL ACIDITY ON THE PALOUSE. 20-21 WASHINGTON GRAIN Experts will present the most current 1 2018/19 WHEAT OUTLOOK AND A COMMISSION RESEARCH REVIEW. research on soil acidity for the Palouse re- FLEXIBLE, 3-SPEED APPROACH TO Pullman, Wash. For more info and to gion and will provide a forum to ask and MARKETING. AMMO workshop featur- RSVP, contact Mary Palmer Sullivan at answer questions. 8 CCA credits available ing award-winning writer and speaker, (509) 456-2481 or [email protected] and will include lunch and refreshments. Dan Manternach, who will provide a Banyans on the Ridge at the Pavilion in market outlook forecast and discuss tips 22 FARM AND PRODUCTION RISK Pullman, Wash. Registration required. of how to monitor the price range under MANAGEMENT TOOLS. AMMO work- extension.wsu.edu/palouse-soil-acidity/ three different weather scenarios. The shop focusing on new policy changes for session will also focus on the fine points 2018 and options to better manage risk 8 WAWG BOARD MEETING. Meeting of smart marketing strategies, includ- in current economic conditions by crop starts at 10 a.m. at Washington Wheat ing how to break the grip of greed and insurance expert Steve Vollrath. Experts Foundation Building, Ritzville, Wash. fear that often are a part of marketing will also be on hand to discuss safety, (509) 659-0610, wawg.org decisions. Participants will gain sound prevention resources, labor laws, and 9-10 2018 CROPPING SYSTEMS basis strategy, learn price enhancement more. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Red Lion CONFERENCE. Keynote speak- strategies, and more. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hotel in Pasco, Wash. Lunch is provided. ers include Paul Jasa, University of the Northern Quest Casino in Airway No charge for WAWG members; cost for Nebraska, and direct seed farmers Heights, Wash. Lunch is provided. No nonmembers is $25. Preregister at least 3 Gordon Stoner of Montana; Cherilyn charge for WAWG members; cost for days in advance by calling (877) 740-2666 Nagel of Saskatchewan; and Bill Crabtree nonmembers is $25. Preregister at least 3 or print and mail registration form at of Australia. Three Rivers Convention days in advance by calling (877) 740-2666 wawg.org/ammo-workshops/ Center in Kennewick, Wash. Registration or print out and mail registration form at 27 MAXIMIZE INTENSIVE WHEAT and more information available at wawg.org/ammo-workshops/ MANAGEMENT. AMMO workshop directseed.org/events/annual-conference/ 6-8 SPOKANE AG EXPO. The largest featuring Kansas State University profes- 12-21 LAKE CHELAN WINTERFEST. An farm machinery show in the Inland sor, Dr. Romulo Lollato. This session will event for the whole family! Winterfest is Northwest. More than 250 agriculture focus on understanding yield and protein two weekends of ice sculptures, music, suppliers and service companies all relationships by managing nitrogen wine tasting, ale tasting, kids activities, under one roof. Held at the Spokane fertilizer, as well as the latest research polar bear splash, beach bonfire, fire- Convention Center. agshow.org regarding crop production practices works and more! Chelan, Wash. including seeding rates, fungicide man- WAWG BOARD MEETING. Meeting lakechelan.com/winterfest/ 13 agement and other efforts to maximize starts at 10 a.m. at Washington Wheat profit. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Red Lion 13-14 BAVARIAN ICE FEST. Snow Foundation Building, Ritzville, Wash. Hotel in Pasco, Wash. Lunch is provided. sculptures, games and fireworks. (509) 659-0610, wawg.org No charge for WAWG members; cost for Leavenworth, Wash. leavenworth.org 15 FARM BILL AND CROP INSURANCE: nonmembers is $25. Preregister at least 3 17-18 2018 NORTHWEST HAY EXPO. WHAT’S AT STAKE? AMMO workshop days in advance by calling (877) 740-2666 Three Rivers Convention Center, featuring Dr. Art Barnaby, a renowned or print and mail registration form at Kennewick, Wash. For more information professor at Kansas State University. This wawg.org/ammo-workshops/ visit wa-hay.org/convention session will focus on several areas of in- 19-20 CASCADIA GRAINS terest, including the result of nonconver- Submissions gence in the wheat market, and its impact CONFERENCE. Learn about economic Listings must be received by the development and agribusiness efforts on basis, means testing and the potential elimination of the harvest price, subsidy 10th of each month for the next as they relate to small grains and other month’s Wheat Life. Email listings end uses. Olympia, Wash. Registration limitations, and more. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to [email protected]. Include date, required. cascadiagrains.com at the Northern Quest Casino in Airway Heights, Wash. Lunch is provided. No time and location of event, plus 20 WINTERFEST. Experience the fun and charge for WAWG members; cost for contact info and description. excitement of winter games in Deer Park!

VISIT US AT wheatlife.org

64 WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 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. Ag Trucks & Equipment...... 25 Eljay Oil...... 42 Perkins & Zlatich PS ...... 61 AGPRO ...... Advertiser . . . . . 37 Evergreen Implement Inc. . . Index. .37 Pioneer West...... 41 AgraSyst...... 9 Farm & Home Supply...... 40 PNW Farmers Cooperative. . . . 67 Albaugh LLC...... 7 Great Plains Equipment . . . . . 15 Pomeroy Grain Growers Inc. . . .27 Barber Engineering ...... 41 Inland Northwest Bank...... 21 RH Machine...... 67 Battery Systems...... 39 J&M Fabrication...... 33 Rock Steel Structures...... 57 Blue Mountain Realtors...... 33 Jess Auto...... 66 Spectrum Crop Development . . 29 Butch Booker Auction...... 57 Kincaid Real Estate...... 57 Spokane Ag Expo...... 19 Byrnes Oil Co ...... 57 Landmark Native Seed...... 57 State Bank Northwest...... 32 Carpenter McGuire Les Schwab Tire Centers. . . . . 23 Syngenta...... 5 & DeWulf PS...... 31 Monsanto-WestBred ...... 11 T & S Sales...... 19 Churchill’s Steakhouse...... 33 North Pine Ag Equipment. . . . 31 Tankmax Inc...... 41 Class 8 Trucks...... 37 Northwest Farm The McGregor Co...... 68 CO Energy...... 59 Credit Services ...... 24 Vantage PNW...... 37 Connell Grange Supply Inc. . . .40 Northwest Walter Implement...... 42 Country Financial...... 27 Farmland Management. . . . 33 Western Reclamation...... 39 Diesel & Machine...... 29 ORO-AGRI ...... 13 Edward Jones...... 61 OXARC ...... 59 Thank you to all of our advertisers. Support those who support your industry.

WARRANTY FOREVER!* POWERTRAIN PROTECTION, FOREVER! New & Used

*See us for details

Omak Grand Coulee Pullman JessAutoFamily.comwww.JessAuto.com

66 WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 CHROME ALLOY Washington WEAR PARTS R & H Machine offers an extensive line of cultivator points and shovels to fit S-tine, Triple K, or C shanks, and Wheat KMC. All are cast of high Chrome Alloy to give extremely long life in abrasive soils. Our parts outwear standard or Foundation hardfaced points by an average of twenty times. Annex Extremely long wearing (in Ritzville, Wash.) Maintain uniform tillage Rental Includes: Seats 100 • Full service kitchen • Wi-Fi Save costly downtime Free coffee and tea • Pull out wall divider 2 large screens • Free parking Cut replacement costs 18 x 22 lobby to gather or serve buffet Separate board meeting room (seats 12) Uses standard hex-head bolt $50 (0-4 hours) or $100 (4+ hours) Shock absorbing washers included

Contact Chauna Carlson R & H MACHINE . 115 ROEDEL AVE . CALDWELL ID 83605 at the Washington Wheat Foundation rental line 1-800-321-6568 . www.rhmachine.com . 208-459-1507 (509) 659-1987 Setting the Standard for Wear!

• Grain Marketing & Storage • Pulse & Specialty Crop Processing • Quality Pulse “A Family of Farmers” & Cereal Seeds OFFICES: • Rail & River Genesee 208-285-1141 Colfax 509-397-4381 Shipping Terminals Rosalia 509-523-3511 Oakesdale 509-285-4311 • Country Hedging Fairfield 509-283-2124 Futures & Options 1-866-986-2008 • www.pnw.coop

WHEAT LIFE JANUARY 2018 67 THE MCGREGOR COMPANY THE TEAM YOU CAN COUNT ON FOR HIGHER YIELDS AND CLEANER FIELDS

OUR CCA’S CAN GET WE’LL SHOW YOU HOW YOU NEXT LEVEL TO GET UP TO A PERFORMANCE 23% INCREASE WITH POST-EMERGE ON DOWNY BROME HERBICIDES CONTROL

RYZUP SMARTGRASS

SPEED THE WEEDS REDUCE ESCAPES IMPROVE CROP HEALTH RyzUp SmartGrass induces Reduce escapes with your RyzUp SmartGrass stimulates germination of weed seeds and post-emergence herbicide early season growth of winter seedlings at herbicide timing, application with the addition wheat, enhances leaf area helping reduce the seed bank. of RyzUp SmartGrass. production and improves nutrient uptake for a faster canopy.

AVAILABLE AT THE MCGREGOR COMPANY FROM YOUR CERTIFIED CROP ADVISER