February - Wheat Life
Transcription
February - Wheat Life
WHEAT LIFE The official publication of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers FEBRUARY 2015 a closer look How carbon reduction proposals might hammer Washington ag What’s up with SPCC plans? Mapping the way with precision ag Joining Bob Allan’s club Spring variety testing results Address Service Requested Washington Association of Wheat Growers 109 East First Avenue, Ritzville, WA 99169 WHEAT LIFE Volume 58 • Number 02 www.wheatlife.org The official publication of WASHINGTON ASSOCIATION OF WHEAT GROWERS 109 East First Avenue Ritzville, WA 99169-2394 (509) 659-0610 • (800) 598-6890 WAWG MEMBERSHIP (509) 659-0610 • (800) 598-6890 $125 per year EDITOR Trista Crossley • [email protected] (435) 260-8888 AD SALES MANAGER Kevin Gaffney • [email protected] (509) 235-2715 GRAPHIC DESIGN Devin Taylor • Trista Crossley AD BILLING Michelle Hennings • [email protected] (509) 659-0610 • (800) 598-6890 CIRCULATION Address changes, extra copies, subscriptions Chauna Carlson • [email protected] (509) 659-0610 • (800) 598-6890 Subscriptions are $50 per year WAWG EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Michelle Hennings WAWG EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE PRESIDENT Larry Cochran • Colfax VICE PRESIDENT Kevin Klein • Edwall SECRETARY/TREASURER PRESIDENT EMERITUS Nicole Berg • Paterson APPOINTED MEMBERS Chris Herron • Connell Eric Maier • Ritzville Marci Green • Fairfield Wheat Life (ISSN 0043-4701) is published by the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG): 109 E. First Avenue • Ritzville, WA 99169-2394 Eleven issues per year with a combined August/ September issue. Standard (A) postage paid at Ritzville, Wash., and additional entry offices. Contents of this publication may not be reprinted without permission. Advertising in Wheat Life does not indicate endorsement of an organization, product or political candidate by WAWG. 2 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 President’s Perspective Just a few things on my mind... By Larry Cochran My local newspaper gives readers a forum where they can talk about what’s on their mind, so I thought I would talk about a few issues that have been on my mind lately. Climate change. I have been involved in my family’s farm since my birth in 1954, and the saying here is “if you don’t like the weather, just wait a few minutes, and it will change.” Whether or not what man has done over the last 200 years is affecting the weather, I don’t have a clue. In the scheme of things, 200 years doesn’t even register on the meter of time. Granted, we need to do whatever we can to reduce our effects on weather, but I don’t like the idea that we will just tax someone, and that will solve the problem. In WAWG’s resolutions, we urge that climate change proposals consider the production of foodstuffs as a national priority and avoid any negative impact upon the costs and adequacy of supplies of essential inputs used to produce crops. Gov. Inslee recently proposed a carbon cap-and-trade plan that seems little more than a tax and will fall hard on the state’s ag community. WAWG has joined with other concerned businesses and stakeholders to explore alternatives to reducing our state’s greenhouse emissions. To read more about the governor’s plan and its possible effects on the ag industry, see page 22. GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms). Most people don’t even know what GMO stands for, but for me as a farmer, it’s just another way of speeding up the breeding process. I have a boss, Mother Nature, who does her own form of GMO breeding, whether it’s new races of disease or insects that have evolved. She’s always changing the rules. If we in agriculture want to be able to feed the world’s population, we have to be able to grow more food on less land, and I believe GMOs can help me do that. As stated in our WAWG resolutions, “We are confident that biotechnology will deliver significant consumer and producer benefits, and we support continued biotechnology research and product and market development. We invite valued and interested customers to join with us in a working partnership to explore the emerging biotechnology industry.” The decision to plant GMO crops is a choice every farmer has to make for themselves. We support and will work to ensure the ability of wheat producers to make planting and marketing choices based on their own economic, agronomic and market factors. Gluten-free trends. With all of our new media avenues—internet, social media, blogs, etc.—anyone can say anything, and someone will believe it. Gluten is a protein that holds bread together. True celiacs understand that they can’t eat gluten but they are about 2 percent of the population. Many of those labels you read that say they are gluten-free? They’ve always been gluten-free. That there is the power of advertising. WAWG believes that the best way to combat disinformation is to present credible, scientifically proven facts. Indeed, education is one of our main goals: “WAWG shall actively produce public information and educational programs in order to increase the awareness of wheat and agriculture’s importance to the state and nation’s economy.” We also encourage other industry groups to fund and assist organizations that are dedicated to addressing the public in terms of wheat’s nutritional value. The answers to these issues won’t be solved any time soon, so I’ll just slice myself a piece of homemade bread, spread it with jam made this summer from my raspberry patch and watch the newborn calves frolic in the snow. Cover photo: An time-worn barn outside Valleyford. All photos are Shutterstock images or taken by Wheat Life staff unless otherwise noted. Inside This Issue WAWG President’s Perspective Membership Form WAWG at Work Policy Matters Building a Foundation Uncovering the details Gov. Inslee’s carbon reduction proposals In the director’s chair Ben Thiel takes over at Spokane’s RMA office Filling up a fuel plan A look at SPCC requirements Precision ag special section Evergreen Implement maps the way WGC Chairman’s Column WGC Review Diving into the deep end Wheat Academy is tough but worthwhile A not-so-secret club Bob Allan writes a book on wheat variety World commodity, world traveler Randy Suess reports from South Africa Spring wheat, barley trial results Drawing parallels between breeding, racing Wheat Watch Tracing a tool’s timeline Important dates in combine history The Bottom Line Your Wheat Life Happenings Advertiser Index 2 4 6 14 20 22 28 32 38 45 46 50 52 55 58 62 64 68 70 72 74 Contributors Larry Cochran, president, Washington Association of Wheat Growers Steve Claassen, chairman, Washington Grain Commission Scott A. Yates, communications director, Washington Grain Commission Kevin Gaffney, ad sales manager, Wheat Life Jim Jesernig, WAWG lobbyist Xianming Chen, plant pathologist, USDA-ARS Randy Suess, commissioner, Washington Grain Commission Stephen Guy, extension agronomist/professor, Washington State University Department of Crop & Soils T. Randall Fortenbery, Ph.D., Thomas B. Mick Endowed Chair in Grain Economics, Washington State University Paul D. Fitzpatrick, attorney, K&L Gates LLP WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 3 WAWG MEMBERSHIP FORM Please check level of membership Student $75 Partnership $500 Grower $125 (up to 5 partners) Landlord $125 Convention $600 Family $200 (up to 2 members) Lifetime $2,500 If you do not have an email address, or prefer hard copies, please include an extra $25 for Greensheet postage. Name Thank you to our current members We fight every day to ensure that life on the family farm continues to prosper and grow. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT. If you are not a member, please consider joining today. Phone Fax Email County Affiliation (if none, write state) Circle all that apply: Producer Landlord Individual Industry Rep. Business Owner Student Other Return this form with your check to: WAWG • 109 East First Ave. • Ritzville, WA 99169. Or call 800-598-6890 and use your credit card to enroll by phone. Producer/Landowners (Voting Membership) Grower or Landlord $125 X X Family $200 X X (2 family members) Partnership $500 X X (1-5 family members) Convention $600 X X (2 individuals) Lifetime $2,500 X X (1 individual) Non-Voting Membership Student $75 X X One Vote per Member Zip WAWG Convention Free Registration State Annual Harvest Prints City National Wheat Grower Newsletter Greensheet Newsletter Address Wheat Life Magazine LEVELS OF MEMBERSHIP Farm or Business X X X X X X X X X X X X WAWG’s current top priorities are: ✔ Protect funding for both the Washington State University’s Ag Research Center and • Sales tax exemption on fertilizer and pesticides for the proposed Plant Sciences Building • Ag wholesale B&O exemption ✔ Preserve the ag tax preferences: • Off-road fuel tax exemption • Repair parts exemption ✔ Advocate for short-line rail funding Washington state continues to look for more revenue, and farmers’ tax exemptions are on the list. If these are important to your operation, join today and help us fight. More member benefits: Weekly Email correspondence • Greensheet ALERTS • WAWG updates • Voice to WAWG through opinion surveys • National Wheat Grower updates Washington Association of Wheat Growers 109EastFirstAve.•Ritzville,WA99169 509-659-0610•800-598-6890•509-659-4302(fax) www.wagrains.com Call 800-598-6890 or visit www.wagrains.com X X WAWG at k r wo WAWG team gears up for Olympia, D.C. trips January was a fairly quiet month for the WAWG officers, executive committee and staff as they geared up for the association’s annual trips to Washington, D.C., and Olympia. While in D.C., the team will participate in the 2015 wheat industry winter conference along with other state associations. They will be attending an array of committee meetings and policy discussions headed by the National Association of Wheat Growers and U.S. Wheat Associates. WAWG will also take the opportunity to meet with Washington state’s national legislative delegation to discuss issues and concerns of the state’s wheat industry. Following the D.C. trip, WAWG officers, members and staff will head west to Olympia, first to spend a day meeting and greeting the new freshman legislators and again for the association’s annual Olympia Days. All WAWG members are encouraged to join the officer team for Olympia Days to show their support for the state’s wheat industry and to help educate legislators on issues that affect our industry. Call the WAWG office for more information at (509) 659-0610. Watch for a full report in the next issue of Wheat Life. WAWG is still searching for a volunteer to step up as secretary/treasurer. If you’ve got a passion for our industry and want to help make a difference, please contact the WAWG office at (509) 659-0610. The next WAWG board meeting will be Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 10 a.m. in Ritzville. Starting off the day talking about wheat: Getting the new year off to a good start, Whitman County wheat growers gathered at Eddy’s in Colfax in early January to share information and talk about local issues. The group heard from WAWG Executive Director Michelle Hennings on the upcoming trips to Washington, D.C., and Olympia Days and WAWG’s booth at Spokane Ag Expo. She encouraged anybody who could to volunteer their time to take part manning the Ag Expo booth and joining the officers and executive team in the state capitol. Washington Grain Commissioner Randy Suess provided a commission update and talked about the latest news from U.S. Wheat Associates. Preserving the state ag tax preferences, transportation funding and funding for research topped the group’s main concerns. 6 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 Nu-Trax™ P+ fertilizer puts you in charge of delivering the nutrition your crops need for a strong start. It features the right blend of phosphorus, zinc and other nutrients essential for early-season growth. And because Nu-Trax P+ coats onto your dry fertilizer you are placing these nutrients close to the rooting zone where young plants can easily access them, when they are needed most. Take control of your crop’s early-season nutrition with Nu-Trax P+ and visit ReThinkYourPhos.com. Rethink your phos ReThinkYourPhos.com ©2014 Wolf Trax™ and Nu-Trax™ P+ are trademarks of Compass Minerals Manitoba Inc. Compass Minerals is the proud supplier of Wolf Trax Innovative Nutrients. Not all products are registered in all areas. Contact [email protected] for more information. 38967 WL WL WAWG AT WORK AMMO wraps up schedule with finances, marketing The Agriculture Marketing and Management Organization (AMMO) wraps up its 2015 schedule this month with workshops on accounting software and presentations on commodity marketing and farm bill programs. Whether you are looking to learn QuickBooks or just brush up on your skills, AMMO’s got you covered. Producers have two, hands-on sessions to choose from: Feb. 10 at the Red Lion Hotel in Pasco or Feb. 11 in Moses Lake at the Big Bend Community College. Morning sessions start at 10 a.m. and will cover QuickBook basics. Afternoon sessions start at 1 p.m. and will cover advanced QuickBooks. Confused about how to market your crop? Enter Mark Gold, a former 20-year member of the Chicago Board of Trade, who will walk attendees through his 10 steps for becoming a better marketer. He will also talk about the proper use of options in a marketing plan, including when to spend money for options and how to properly use them. This session will be held Feb. 18 at the Red Lion Hotel in Pasco and on Feb. 19 at the Northern Quest Resort and Casino in Airway Heights. Sessions run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The final AMMO sessions of 2015 will feature Art Barnaby, an ag economics professor at Kansas State University. Barnaby will talk about market risk, government commodity programs, crop insurance and public policy and how these topics relate to the 2014 Farm Bill. He will also discuss which farm bill program, Price Loss Coverage or Agricultural Risk Coverage, is the best fit for your operation. This presentation will be held Feb. 24 at the Davenport Community Center and Feb. 25 at the Big Bend Community College’s Masto Conference Center in Moses Lake. These presentations will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For each of these AMMO workshops, preregistration is required and costs $25. Lunch is included in the cost of the session. For more information, visit the AMMO website at lcammo.org or call (877) 740-2666. Family-first business or business-first family? Nationally know speaker, Jolene Brown, started off her Agricultural Marketing and Management presentation by asking the crowd a loaded question. Brown was speaking about how to transition the family business to the next generation smoothly and successfully. Attendees explored specific actions that build legacy businesses, learned about being in the people business and heard about tools for transitioning labor, management, leadership and ownership. 8 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 Presented by the Washington Association of Wheat Growers WHEAT COLLEGE Bringing world-class information and research directly to growers March 23-24, 2015, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Learn about required soil nutrient levels and fertilizer needs for high-yielding, top-quality wheat, barley and other small grains. Presented by Neal Kinsey, owner and operator of Kinsey Agricultural Services Inc., a St. Louis-based company which specializes in soil fertility management. They’ve offered soil consulting services since 1973 in more than 75 countries. Program will be held at the Marcus Whitman Hotel in Walla Walla. Admission is FREE! Do not need to be a WAWG member to attend. RSVP to the WAWG office at (509) 659-0610 by March 10 to reserve your spot. Lunch is included. First 100 RSVPs to the event will receive a FREE, 2.5 gallon container of RoundUp. Sponsored by: Random prize drawings will be held throughout the day. Sponsored by: Sponsored by the Washington Grain Commission WL WAWG AT WORK to implement a statewide property tax assessment of some kind that would then be used by the Department of Ecology to implement water storage projects, flood control measures and storm water retrofits needed in different areas of the state. Photo by the Washington State House of Representatives During the 2015 Legislative Session’s opening ceremonies, Washington state legislators take oaths of office. 2015 Legislative Session report: Public hearings begin for bills By Jim Jesernig WAWG lobbyist As the legislature moved into the second week of the 2015 Session, any hope that legislators would be introducing fewer bills this year because of the budget situation they face was pretty much crushed. As of press time, there were 519 Senate bills and 563 House bills introduced, for a total of 1,082 pieces of possible new legislation. If this pace continues, there will be more than 2,000 bills introduced this year, with an additional 1,000 next year. In anticipation of this flood of new bills, House and Senate policy committees also accelerated their activity level by moving from “overview and update” sessions to actually holding public hearings on bills. A few of the more noncontroversial bills have actually been passed to their respective rules committees. One of the most anticipated hearings of the 2015 Session occurred in the House Environment Committee, when HB 1314, Gov. Inslee’s cap-and-trade bill, received a public hearing. Though the governor was given about half an hour to explain his proposal, and alternating “pro” and “con” panels were heard, it is generally believed that this measure will not move a whole lot farther than out of the House Environment Committee. Another anticipated hearing happened when the Senate Ways and Means Committee heard a measure with the nickname of “Big Water.” The idea of this legislation is 10 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 Since there are a lot of segments of the state that would not benefit from this kind of massive infrastructure effort (but would pay the property tax assessment along with everyone else), a common criticism that has come up is that this concept is simply a way for the residents in certain regions of the state to fix their drought and flooding issues by using “other peoples’ money.” With a transportation revenue package and a possible tax increase to fund the McCleary decision K-12 fix on the table, I think it is unlikely that this measure will move very far forward this session. Judge rules that Yakima dairy polluted drinking water In mid-January, a Washington federal judge granted partial summary judgment against a large industrial dairy in Eastern Washington for polluting drinking water through Washington Wheat Foundation Annex 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 PURE UPTAKE PURIC™ MAX from Wilbur-Ellis Company releases nutrients in the soil to promote plant vigor and improve yields. The refined, clean formulation of PURIC MAX not only unleashes your crop’s potential, but reduces common application issues with sediments associated with less enhanced Humic Acid products. Give your crops the pure uptake they need with PURIC MAX from Wilbur-Ellis! ag.wilburellis.com For information only. Not a label. Prior to use, always read and follow the product label directions. WILBUR-ELLIS Logo and Ideas to Grow With are registered trademarks, and PURIC is a trademark of Wilbur-Ellis Company. K-0115-591 WL WAWG AT WORK its application, storage and management of manure. The ruling could set precedents across the nation and apply to both livestock and nonlivestock agriculture. The lawsuit was filed in 2013 by several environmental groups on behalf of thousands of families in the lower Yakima Valley who rely on wells for their drinking water. The attorneys for the dairy are considering an appeal. A trial date of March 23 has been set to decide how much pollution the dairy was causing and what steps should be taken to fix the problem. This case is the first to establish that manure created at an industrial animal operation, when mishandled, is a solid waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The RCRA is a federal law regulating the disposal of waste. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter Get the latest updates on WAWG and the Washington wheat industry from our Facebook page. Search for Washington Association of Wheat Growers and “like” our page. We also post updates on our Twitter feed @WAWheatGrowers. WAWG will be closely monitoring the situation. Washington’s early stripe rust forecast By Xianming Chen Plant Pathologist, USDA-ARS The current forecast is that highly susceptible winter wheat varieties would have a 38 percent yield loss, in the high end of moderate epidemic range (20-40 percent yield loss). Based on this forecast, currently grown varieties would have 0 to 20 percent yield loss, depending upon the level of susceptibility. This forecast is based on November and December temperatures. In early March, we will make another forecast based on the weather conditions of the entire winter season, which is generally more accurate than the early forecast. In the last week of November, we checked winter wheat fields in Whitman, Adams, Lincoln and Grant counties. No rust was observed. Winter injury, caused by the unusually cold spell in the second week of November, was evident in many wheat fields. In contrast to Washington, stripe rust was reported in many locations in Montana and Wyoming in October and November. Under natural conditions, stripe rust had the lowest level in 2014 during the past 15 years in the Pacific Northwest. Commercial fields generally did not need fungicide application. The low level of stripe rust was due to the cold winter plus the hot, dry summer. Spring-planted barley eligible for new farm safety net option USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA), Spokane Regional Office, reminds farmers in Idaho, Oregon and Washington of the deadline to elect the Actual Production History (APH) Yield Exclusion option for 2015 springplanted barley. A provision of the 2014 Farm Bill, APH Yield Exclusion can provide relief to farmers affected by severe weather, including drought. The decision to elect the yield exclusion must be made before the sales closing date for crop 12 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 insurance coverage on their 2015 crops. The final date for spring barley (a spring-seeded crop) is March 16. APH Yield Exclusion allows eligible farmers affected by severe weather to receive a higher approved yield on their insurance policies through the federal crop insurance program. Yields can be excluded from farm actual production history when the actuarial documents provide that the county average yield for that crop year is at least 50 percent below the 10 previous consecutive crop years’ average yield. Additional information about APH Yield Exclusion and maps for eligible commodities is located on RMA’s farm bill website at rma.usda.gov. Broadleaf weeds and grasses can’t take over winter wheat fields if they don’t have the opportunity. So don’t give it to them. PowerFlex® HL herbicide from Dow AgroSciences delivers powerful postemergence control over the toughest invaders like downy brome, wild oats and non-ALS-resistant Italian ryegrass. The high-load formulation provides excellent crop safety and rotational flexibility. For maximum crop potential, deploy the power of PowerFlex HL. PowerFlexHLHerbicide.com 800-258-3033 Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow. PowerFlex HL is not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Always read and follow label directions. ©2014 Dow AgroSciences LLC M38-888-007 (01/14) BR 010-33683 DAAGPWFX2055 ® POLICY MATTERS Regulatory reform bill requires cheapest option to be selected From NAWG In mid-January, the House of Representatives approved H.R. 185, the Regulatory Accountability Act of 2015. The legislation is first in what is expected to be a year of congressional activity addressing regulatory burdens. H.R. 185 requires that government agencies select the least costly option when developing a regulation. The bill’s sponsor, former House Agriculture Committee chairman and current chair of the Judiciary Committee, Bob Goodlatte, stated, “The effects of excessive government regulation are real for the American people. The regulatory burden for each American household adds up to $15,000.” Congress is expected to address additional regulatory reform efforts during the 114th Congress. New EPA ag advisor brings 30 years experience to job The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Ron Carleton will be the next agriculture counselor to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. Carleton returns to Washington, D.C., from Colorado where he has been the deputy agriculture commissioner for the state. Prior to working in Colorado, Carleton served as former Colorado Representative John Salazar’s chief of staff and also held several other positions on Capitol Hill over the last 30 years. Washington’s Ecology releases draft water-quality rule In early January, the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) released a draft water-quality rule that raises the fish-consumption rate to 175 grams a day, about 14 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 Deadline reminder Don’t forget, the deadline to update yield history and/or reallocate base acres is Feb. 27, 2015. Farm owners and producers can choose between the new 2014 Farm Bill established programs, Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) through March 31, 2015. one serving per day, and seeks to give Ecology the authority to ban certain chemicals if safer alternatives can be found. The draft rule is tied to a toxics-reduction package that Washington Gov. Jay Inslee will propose to the 2015 Legislature. “We believe Washington state is in the best position to choose water quality standards that reflect our environmental and economic priorities,” said Ecology Director Maia Bellon in a press release. “Our proposal makes significant improvements in protecting Washington residents, but also sets achievable targets for industry and local governments.” The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has started its own rule-making process in case the state fails to finalize a rule by the end of this year. The public review period will be open until March 23, 2015, and public hearings will be held around the state during the first part of March. For more information, visit Ecology’s website at ecy.wa.gov. Five projects in Washington selected for RCPP funding U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced that 115 high-impact projects across all 50 states and Puerto Rico, including five in Washington state, will receive more than $370 million in federal funding as part of the new USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). In addition, these projects will leverage an estimated $400 million more in partner contributions to improve the nation’s water quality, support wildlife habitat and enhance the environment. “This is an entirely new approach to conservation ef- SPECIAL PAYMENT TERMS ON TRACTOR TIRES (OAC) NO PAYMENTS! NO INTEREST! (IF PAID IN FULL BEFORE JUNE 15, 2015) FARM TIRES • TRACKS • ATV TIRES • BATTERIES Tracks built for Les Schwab Country John Deere, 8000T-9000T, AGCO MT CAT 35-95 series - 16”-36” Widths, Case Quad Trac - 30”& 36” Widths We carry rubber tracks for mini-excavators and skid steer machines. Sprayer packages available! Les Schwab is proud to support the FFA & 4-H! COME VISIT THE LES SCHWAB BOOTH AT THESE AG SHOWS! FEB. 3-5 FEB. 3 FEB. 5-7 FEB. 10-12 SPOKANE AG EXPO IDAHO-OREGON ONION GROWERS AGRI-ACTION WORLD AG EXPO SPOKANE, WASH. ONTARIO, ORE. TWIN FALLS, IDAHO TULARE, CALIF. OVER 450 STORES THROUGHOUT THE WEST • WWW.LESSCHWAB.COM WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 15 WL POLICY MATTERS forts,” said Vilsack. “These partnerships empower communities to set priorities and lead the way on conservation efforts important for their region. They also encourage private sector investment so we can make an impact that’s well beyond what the federal government could accomplish on its own. We’re giving private companies, local communities and other nongovernment partners a way to invest in a new era in conservation that ultimately benefits us all. These efforts keep our land resilient and water clean and promote economic growth in agriculture, construction, tourism, outdoor recreation and other industries.” RCPP competitively awards funds to conservation projects designed by local partners specifically for their region. Eligible partners include private companies, universities, nonprofit organizations, local and tribal governments and others joining with agricultural and conservation organizations and producers to invest money, manpower and materials to their proposed initiatives. With participating partners investing along with the department, USDA’s $1.2 billion in funding over the life of the five-year farm bill 16 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 program can leverage an additional $1.2 billion from partners for a total of $2.4 billion for conservation. Through RCPP, partners propose conservation projects to improve soil health, water quality and water-use efficiency, wildlife habitat and other related natural resources on private lands. More than 600 preproposals were submitted for RCPP in 2014. The projects approved in Washington state are: • Upper Columbia Irrigation Enhancement Project. Lead partner: Trout Unlimited Inc. This project will help fund irrigation efficiency improvements with large irrigators and irrigation districts to modernize water delivery infrastructure. Enhanced instream flows will benefit critical spawning and rearing areas for Endangered Species Act fish and provide passage during migration during seasonal low flows. Complementing multiple existing conservation plans in the region, the project’s goal is to implement irrigation efficiencies on more than 7,200 irrigated acres, with more than 500 individual landowners. ™ • Yakama Nation OnReservation Lower Yakima Basin Restoration Project. Lead Partner: Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation. This project addresses critical needs for the integrated conservation and restoration of fish and wildlife habitat, water quantity and water quality on the Yakama Reservation in the lower Yakima River Basin. The actions in this proposal will accelerate the recovery of threatened, middle Columbia steelhead on the lower tributaries of the Yakima River, which currently produce more than 50 percent of the wild steelhead population in the Yakima basin. • Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Water Quality and Habitat Improvement Project. Lead partner: Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation. The project focuses on reducing soil erosion and stream sediment by repairing or removing stream crossings, decommissioning forest roads, installing road drainage and protecting wetland/riparian areas. In addition, this project will improve range conditions through feral horse management and improve wildlife habitat for the sharp-tailed grouse and Columbia River redband trout. • Palouse River Watershed Implementation Partnership. Lead partner: Palouse Conservation District. Through implementation of the Palouse River Watershed Management Plan, more than 15 partners will work with producers to address TMDL concerns and reduce water quality regulatory action on producers in this area of Washington and Idaho. Yara CheckIT AT&T Yara CheckIT TM Download the mobile app for visual diagnosis of crop nutrient deficiencies. ANewDay For Wheat YaraVera Amidas™ ® YaraVera Amidas is a new nitrogen fertilizer with 5.5% sulfate sulfur in a homogenous, fully soluble granule. It has superior hardness and uniformity, is virtually dust free and supplies the ideal 7:1 Nitrogen to Sulfur ratio required for protein synthesis. Amidas is: • 40-0-0-5.5 S • Ideal for blending and top-dressing Contact your local Yara distributor for details. Yara North America, Inc. 1-800-234-9376•www.yara.us Scan to learn more about YaraVera® • Precision Conservation for Salmon and Water Quality in the Puget Sound. Lead Partner: Washington State Conservation Commission. Partners will use an ecosystem-wide system for target- WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 17 WL POLICY MATTERS ing high priority areas to improve water quality and habitat for at-risk species, including Chinook salmon, bull trout and steelhead. Within focus areas, a farmer-to-farmer approach will be used to increase participation and ensure buy-in from the local community. For more information, visit the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s website at nrcs.usda.gov. Wheat organizations join Cuba coalition From U.S. Wheat Associates U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers have joined more than 30 other U.S. food and agriculture organizations in forming the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba (USACC), which seeks to advance trade relations between the U.S. and Cuba and end the embargo policy. Following the Obama Administration’s shift in U.S. policy on Cuba, the U.S. Treasury Department announced sweeping changes in trade regulations that represent another very encouraging step toward opening the Cuban market. “We are still analyzing the effect the new regulations may have on wheat trade with Cuba,” said USW President Alan Tracy. “Our initial read is that new rules related to banking relationships, timing of payment for imports and more liberal rules on vessel logistics are the kind of regulatory change we hoped to see.” Tracy was one of several industry leaders who addressed the media at a news conference introducing USACC Jan. 8, 2015, in Washington, DC. USACC is now organizing a “Learning Journey to Cuba” for coalition members. This would be the first major U.S. business delegation to Cuba since President Obama’s announcement. 18 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 Family farms lead U.S. agriculture A U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service (ERS) study published in December says that family farms dominate U.S. ag production and account for 97 percent of all U.S. farms and 85 percent of farm production. Other conclusions the study draws are: •S mall farms make up 90 percent of the farm count and operate half of the farmland. Most farm production, however, occurs on midsize and large-scale family farms. •T he nonfarm economy is critically important to operators of small family farms. Because many small-farm households rely on offfarm sources for most of their income, general economic policies, such as tax or economic-development policy, can be as important to them as traditional farm policy. •T hirty-two percent of U.S. farms have a principal operator at least 65 years old. Some potential replacement operators are already working as secondary operators on multiple-generation farms. •D ifferent farm programs affect distinctly different sets of farmers. Commodity program payments largely flow to moderate-sales, midsize and large farms; the largest share of working-land conserFarms, Production, and Farmland (continued) vation payments go to midsize farms; and land-retirement conserDifferent types of largely farms go account for theoff-farm production of specific vation payments to retirement, occupation and commodities. low-sales farms. Most farms, however, do not receive government • farm-related Midsize and large-scale family dominate the affected productionbyofthem. cotton payments andfarms are not directly (83 percent of production), cash grain (71 percent), and hogs (66 percent). The report, “Structure and Finances of U.S. Farms: Family Farm • Large-scale and nonfamily farms dominate the production of high-value crops Report, Edition,” was written (76 2014 percent of production) and dairy by (70Robert percent).Hoppe of USDA’s Economic Research Service. To read the whole report, visit the ERS • Small farms produce roughly half of poultry (mostly under production website at ers.usda.gov/publications.aspx. contracts), hay, and other livestock. Distribution of the value of production for selected commodities, 2011 Percent of value of production 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 7.2 10.6 18.1 15.4 7.7 37.1 17.5 21.0 51.1 35.0 59.4 16.7 48.3 28.8 35.9 26.3 23.5 47.7 40.4 24.8 17.0 31.5 12.6 Poultry Hay 14.7 34.7 29.9 17.9 56.4 8.5 22.1 35.5 21.4 16.9 5.9 20.8 Other Beef 1 livestock Hogs Cash Dairy grains and soybeans 12.7 11.4 23.2 25.5 8.9 High- Cotton All value com2 crops modities Commodity Nonfamily farm Midsize family farms Large-scale family farms Small family farms 11 Other livestock covers less common species, such as bees, aquaculture, mink, rabbits, other fur-bearing “Other livestock” covers lesslivestock common livestock species, such as bees, aquaculture, mink, animals, deer, elk, llamas,animals, etc. It alsobison, includesdeer, grazing cattle—horses, sheep, and goats— rabbits,bison, other fur-bearing elk,livestock llamas,other etc.than It also includes grazing livestock otherare than cattle—horses, are common specializations among small which common specializationssheep, amongand smallgoats—which farms. 2 farms. Vegetables, fruits/tree nuts, and nursery/greenhouse. 2 Vegetables, fruits/tree nuts, and nursery/greenhouse. Source: USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service and Economic Research Service, 2011 Agricultural Resource Management Survey Source: USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service and Economic Research Service, 2011 Agricultural Resource Management Survey. Healthy CRP Grass Stands Don’t Happen By Chance • We deliver seed right to your field • Price quotes guaranteed up to 24 months • All paperwork meets NRCS and FSA cost share guidelines • Planning and execution determine success; CRP only costs shares one attempt • Let us help you succeed the first time • Our seed carrier won’t plug up your drill • We likely won’t be the cheapest quote, but our success rate is the highest • We don’t just recommend cost per acre, but plants per square foot, which is the key to certification of CRP grass stands. Don’t risk an unhealthy CRP Stand! • We can legally recommend and sell you the herbicides you need to control weeds • Our calibration system is accurate within tenths of a pound per acre for any drill SEED AVAILABLE SEEDCONTRACTS CONTRACTS AVAILABLE 509-234-2500 1-866-627-4500 We have 24 years of experience in CRP. Our company owners have CRP contracts and fully understand what it takes to establish a “certified” stand of native or introduced species in the PNW. We can be YOUR experts. CRAIG O. TEEL Contact at 509-528-4851 DANA L. HERRON Contact at 509-546-1300 Connell, WA Office: 509-234-2500 www.TriStateSeed.com WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 19 BUILDING A FOUNDATION As we welcome our new Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) Ambassadors, Morgan Adams and Matthew Warren, the Foundation thought it would be a great opportunity to catch up with our past WAWG Ambassadors. Maya Wahl, ritzville, 2014 In May of 2014, Maya was elected to the Washington State FFA Officer Team serving as the state FFA secretary. She has been visiting Washington state schools, addressing the importance of agriculture and calling students to action to pursue a career in ag. Maya especially enjoys the service aspect of FFA, giving back to all those who support the Washington FFA organization. She has participated in numerous community service projects throughout the year and credits her time as a WAWG Ambassador to helping her prepare for her time as a state officer. Maya’s favorite event as an ambassador was the Olympia trip. “I learned so much about how government affects agriculture and was inspired to become a lobbyist myself,” she said. Once Maya retires her FFA jacket in May, she plans to attend Kansas State University, pursuing a degree in agricultural communications and journalism with a minor in political science. Maya reflected on her time serving WAWG, saying, “The connections I made through my year serving the Washington wheat growers are irreplaceable and will hopefully last a lifetime as I proceed through life with a passion for agriculture and a drive to better our industry. My time as an ambassador solidified my passion to becoming a lobbyist and serving the agricultural industry.” Max Mielke, davenport, 2014 Max just completed his first semester at Washington State University (WSU) where he is majoring in agricultural economics and contemplating a second major in agricultural food systems and business economics. Max is currently involved in hall government for Scott Coman Residence Hall and has taken on another leadership role, serving as pledge class president of Phi Kappa Theta. He attends the Ag Econ Club and is involved with Agriculture Future of America (AFA). He recently traveled to Kansas City for a conference that was designed to build leaders in agriculture. A highlight serving as a 2014 Washington Wheat Ambassador was traveling over to Olympia and seeing a different side of the wheat industry. “I saw how complex issues involving the industry and agriculture are. I realized that we really need people to fight for wheat growers. I enjoyed being able to spread awareness of the wheat industry while meeting many people interested in agriculture.” Max gave us some insight as to what the WAWG Ambassador program can offer our youth in the wheat industry. ”Serving as an ambassador has opened up so many doors and has confirmed my strong passion for agriculture. I appreciate the opportunity to serve the wheat industry and thank all those that made this wonderful experience possible.” Congratulations Congratulations to 2014 Barbara Pyne Herron Scholarship recipient Brandon Nickels who was recently named Outstanding Junior in Agriculture at the WSU College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences’ honors awards program. Working to advance the small grains industry by building support for programs and activities that increase public awareness of farming. Calendar: • WWF meeting on Monday, June 8, at the Washington Wheat Foundation Building in Ritzville, Wash. Reminders: • The Jerry Minore Scholarship winner will be announced in late February. • WSU students, check out the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences scholarship listings available at ctll.cahnrs.wsu.edu/ learning/scholarships • Watch for the 2015 June Shoot date and get your guns and ammo ready to support the Foundation! • The annual golf tournament date to be announced soon. Washington Wheat Foundation: P.O. Box 252, Ritzville, WA 99169 • (509) 659-1987 • wawheat.org 20 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 Insurance for Whatever You Grow Whether you raise cattle or grow nursery stock, row crops, grain, hay or fruit, COUNTRY Financial® has got you covered. Your local financial representative can help balance your need to protect what you have with your desire to build for the future. We offer great coverage for farm vehicles, too. Grow your own way with COUNTRY Financial. 1375 acres currently in a wheat/bluegrass rotation. Good laying land with a tenant farmer in place or farm it yourself. Many other parcels available. For complete details go to: www.randyhenley.com Call Randy Henley: 208-641-5825 Stop On In! Joe Shannon Ellensburg (509) 933.3000 Laurie Mooney Wenatchee (509) 663.3800 James Penning LUTCF Yakima (800) 741.6135 Martha Kramer Walla Walla (509) 525-9781 This time of year presents a great opportunity to stop in for a conversation with State Bank Northwest. Whether maximizing the return on your deposits or starting loan discussions, we’re ready. Just Stop In. Paul Koethke LUTCF Moses Lake (800) 689.9259 Garfield Branch, 301 W. California St. 635-1361 Northpointe Spokane Branch, 9727 N. Nevada 464-2701 Spokane Valley Branch, 12902 E. Sprague 789-4335 stable. strong. Local. Policies issued by COUNTRY Mutual Insurance Company®, Bloomington, IL. 1114-511HO www.statebanknorthwest.com WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 21 WL FEATURE Uncovering the details How Gov. Inslee’s carbon reduction proposals might hit the state’s agriculture industry By Trista Crossley In mid-December, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee announced his proposals for reducing the state’s carbon pollution through two main avenues: a carbon cap-and-trade plan and a low-carbon fuel standard. On the surface, his plans seem to bypass the wheat industry, but dig a little deeper, and the impact becomes clear. Under these proposals, wheat farmers could end up paying more for fertilizer and fuel and possibly lose funding for shortline rails. Back in 2008, the legislature mandated carbon reductions, but never outlined a plan to achieve those cuts. The mandate said Washington needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, with additional reductions by 2035 and 2050. In a state that contributes approximately .3 percent of greenhouse gases worldwide, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, that’s an overall reduction of .15 percent. According to Gov. Inslee, his proposals would get the state on track to meet those goals. See Chart 1 for a breakdown of where the state’s carbon emissions come from. Critics of the governor’s proposals say they would hurt the economy and force Washington consumers to pay more for electricity, gas and food with little guarantee of actually helping the environment. At the 2014 Tri-State Grain Growers Convention, the members of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) agreed with those critics and passed a resolution opposing state-level cap and trade, carbon tax or low-carbon fuel laws or rules. “Farmers are the original environmentalists,” WAWG Executive Director Michelle Hennings said. “Without clean, healthy air, water and soil, we can’t grow crops. We care about the environment and want to make sure it is sustainable, but any environmental action needs to be done in a way that doesn’t penalize the people that grow our food.” Here’s a closer look at Gov. Inslee’s proposals and how they might affect the Pacific Northwest wheat industry, both directly and indirectly. The Carbon Pollution Accountability Act of 2015 At its heart a cap-and-trade system for carbon, the Carbon Pollution Accountability Act (CPAA) would require the state’s major polluters to pay for their emissions and encourage them to invest in cleaner technology and improve their efficiency. The state would set an annual limit to the total amount of carbon that emitters could release into the air. Companies would purchase “allowances” for the pollution they emit, with the number of allowances decreasing each year. In a similar 22 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 FEATURE He said that approximately 60 percent of the potatoes grown in the state are processed and exported to other countries, with the remaining 40 percent going domestic, in both fresh and processed form. “We are very concerned that the proposal is going to put Washington state at a competitive disadvantage, not only globally but in the state,” Voigt explained. “Even more concerning is the potato processors that are located here could divert production to other states or even other countries because it is cheaper to do business there.” Voigt said the potato processing industry has very little room for improvement as most of the plants are already as efficient and as sustainable as possible. They are run using natural gas and have developed methods that recapture most, if not all, waste. “I think we all need to take a look at what our carbon emissions are and to make improvements and reduce carbon emissions, but in the potato industry, there is no room for improvement. Literally, there is nothing we can do to improve,” he said. “This plan doesn’t work for us. It is a flat out tax.” The Agrium Kennewick Fertilizer Operation in Kennewick is another facility on the list that would fall under the cap-and-trade plan, but plant manager Jon Berg Marine 4% % l1 i Ra as 1% G e 4% Oil 8% On-road diesel 9% Industrial 17% Gas 3% Oil <1% Transportation 46% Electricity Consumption 17% Comm ercial 4 % Residential 6% Gas 5% Coal 14% Gas 3% Oil 1% The biggest, ag-related industry the CPAA hammer could fall on would be the state’s food processors. Chris Voigt, executive director of the Washington State Potato Commission in Moses Lake, pointed out that the Columbia Basin has the country’s largest concentration of potato processors, and virtually every one of them is on the list. Coal <1% Aviation 8% Ag 6% The proposal would have to be approved by the state legislature in order to be implemented. It is expected to face stiff opposition in the Republican Senate, while the Democratic-majority House is seen as more open to the idea. Industrial processes 5% Ag 6% Waste 4% st Wa According to the governor’s website (governor.wa.gov), the system would impact roughly 130 facilities and fuel distributors that emit more than 25,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases per year. The companies on that list include Alcoa, Boeing, BP Cherry Point Refinery, ConAgra Foods, Georgia-Pacific, Longview Fibre and Washington State University, just to name a few. Chart 1: Where do Washington’s greenhouse gas emissions come from? Oil 1% system in California, allowances are currently being sold for just more than $11 each. The revenues generated by the system, estimated by the governor to be about $1 billion per year, would be used for transportation, education and other government programs. WL On-road gasoline 23% Gas 5% Coal <1% Total 2011 GHG emissions: 91.7 million metric tons CO2e Because of the abundance of clean energy from hydropower, most of Washington state’s greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation sources. Source: governor.wa.gov and the Washington State Department of Ecology said the governor’s proposal likely wouldn’t have many long-term effects on it. “I can tell you that Agrium as a whole understands the importance of controlling greenhouse gases, and they’ve made some pretty serious, company-wide efforts to reduce emissions,” he said. “We are part of that.” The Kennewick plant manufactures liquid nitrogen fertilizer, which is sold throughout the Pacific Northwest. Berg said his plant is on track to install the necessary equipment to bring carbon emissions below the 25,000 metric ton threshold within a few years. A low-carbon fuel standard While details are still scarce, Gov. Inslee is considering a low-carbon fuel standard (LCFS) that would require blending gas and diesel fuels with low-carbon ethanol and biodiesel or buying credits for alternative fuels. The Washington State Department of Ecology is currently drafting a clean fuel standard and will be soliciting comments from legislators, stakeholders and the public. Few people dispute the fact that a LCFS would likely result in increased fuel costs for consumers. The real argument is in how much, with estimates all over the board. WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 23 WL FEATURE Chart 2: What an increase in fuel costs could look like $45,000 $40,000 Total cost of fuel $35,000 $30,000 $10,600 $3,300 Holmes said the best estimate of how much a Washington LCFS would cost consumers comes from a study done by the Boston Consulting Group, an international consulting firm that has lots of experience in the petroleum industry. Studying California’s system, which kicked into gear in 2011, they estimated that consumers there will eventually see a $.33 to $1.06 increase per gallon in the cost of fuel (see Chart 2). “We aren’t against finding ways to reduce carbon emissions, but this is not the right tool to do it,” Holmes said. “There are other alternatives that are less complex, less costly, that will still achieve the reductions that are required.” $25,000 The other way a LCFS could impact wheat farmers is a little less direct, but still very painful. Many critics worry that if the governor uses an executive order to implement an LCFS, it will derail any possible transportation revenue package that might come out of the legislature this session. $20,000 $15,000 $10,000 $5,000 0 is going to be costly to consumers,” he explained. $.33/gal $1.06/gal A rise in fuel costs will hit Washington wheat growers directly in the checkbook at a time when grain prices are depressed, but input costs are rising. Using the Boston Consulting Group’s figures, a farm that bought 10,000 gallons of fuel a year at an average price of $3/gal could expect to pay anywhere from $3,300 up to $10,600 more each year. Brandon Houskeeper, government affairs director for the Association of Washington Business (AWB), said that either a transportation package or a low-carbon fuel standard will likely result in an increase in gas prices. So by implementing more than one option, he said, “you’ll be hitting the same exact commodity with another price increase. The low-carbon fuel standard effectively kills a transportation package by taxing the same source.” And why is the wheat industry so keen on getting a transportation package passed as soon as possible? Without one, the Palouse River and Coulee City The three branches of the Palouse River and Coulee City Railroad A bill mandating a LCFS stands little chance of passing the Senate, and there are fears that Gov. Inslee intends to impose the standards through an executive order. Frank Holmes, Western States Petroleum Association’s director for the Northwest Region and Marine Issues, said a LCFS is a bad idea for any state to consider. Until more information is available, it is widely assumed that any Washington LCFS system would be similar to California’s, and Holmes said that system doesn’t work very well. “There are a lot of feasibility issues, there are insufficient quantities of low-carbon fuel to comply, and it 24 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 Source: WSDOT Crop, Farm and Ranch insurance. No one covers the Palouse and Inland Northwest better. HUB Northwest has been bringing affordable protection and risk management to farms and ranches in the Palouse and Inland Northwest for decades. Give us a call. Almira 509.639.2242 Davenport 509.725.0756 Rosalia 509.523.3581 Chewelah 509.935.6256 La Crosse 509.549.3589 Spokane 509.838.6848 Colfax 509.397.2511 Palouse 509.878.1211 St. John 509.648.3670 Colville 509.684.5041 Pullman 509.332.3535 © HUB International www.hubnw.com Rock Steel Structures, Inc. Offering quality you can depend on: Grain Storage For Farms or Warehouses Farm Storage ! Hopper Bottom Bins Grain Handling • Grain Bin Accessories Grain Bin Accessories 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 [email protected] 509-764-9700 Moses Lake, Wash. WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 25 WL FEATURE (PCC) shortline rail system (see map) is in danger of falling further behind in needed repairs and maintenance. Currently, the system is limping along on $2.4 million that was allocated to it in the 2013 Legislative Session for basic safety and repairs, including more than 80 at-grade rail crossings. Rail groups estimate the system needs the state to invest $63 million over the next six years in order to get it to a self-sustaining level (that’s in addition to the $62 million of private sector investments that have been made since 2007). Bob Westby, PCC Railway System manager, said the system, which includes about 300 miles of track, ranges from fair to good condition. He acknowledged that there are parts that need improvements in order to support some of the large, private investments that have been made. Those recommendations will be included in the Washington State Department of Transportation’s strategic plan for the PCC System which is scheduled for adoption in March and outlines $50 million in investments. Some of the top priorities include improving seven miles of state-owned track between Cheney and the Geiger Spur near Airway Heights and about 15 bridges on the P&L Branch from Marshall to McCoy. When the state began acquiring the PCC in 2004, it came with years of deferred maintenance. At this point, Westby said parts of the system, especially the bridges, are nearing the end of their useful life. There are also speed restrictions in place on parts of the PV Branch due to the use of light rail. If the system doesn’t get any funding in this legislative session, he said it will continue to degrade. “The best thing we can hope for is 26 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 for shippers to continue to use the system. This revenue helps the rail operators on the PCC to be able to increase the amount of maintenance they can perform along the system,” he said. “The legislature ultimately makes the decision on the level of funding allocated to the system.” Gearing up for a fight WAWG has signed onto the Washington Climate Collaborative, a group spearheaded by the AWB, that opposes the governor’s carbon cap-and-trade plan and low-carbon fuel standard. Houskeeper said the group simply feels that the governor’s approach is the wrong one for Washington state. “What the governor is proposing is a $1 billion tax on energy when we already use carbon-friendly energy. That will drive up costs for businesses across the state,” Houskeeper said, “We are working on several different alternatives that reduce carbon without adding financial costs to goods and services.” Some of the alternatives the group is exploring include promoting the research and development of technology, incentivizing renewable energy sources and investing in alternative fuels. “The question is, do you want the stick approach or the carrot approach,” Houskeeper asked. “We are more in favor of the carrot approach.” A recent statewide survey showed 70 percent of those polled supported the governor’s proposed cap-and-trade plan. WAWG President Larry Cochran said the governor and legislators need to hear from farmers on why the proposals are bad for agriculture and how they might hurt one of the state’s top industries. “Now, more than ever, we need to stand up and make our voices heard,” Cochran said. “We need every available body to come with us to Olympia so we can educate our elected officials, especially those from the west side, on agriculture and on the harm these proposals could do to our livelihoods.” WAWG will be leading a delegation of farmers to Olympia Feb. 15-17 to meet with as many legislators as possible to discuss issues affecting agriculture. To get involved, call the WAWG office at (509) 659-0610. 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When Dave Paul, the 19-year director of the Risk Management Agency’s (RMA) Spokane Regional Office, announced his retirement last summer, it set off a nationwide hunt to find his replacement. That search eventually settled in Kansas City, on regulatory rule and policy writer Ben Thiel. A southeast Idaho native who grew up on a small farm that raised alfalfa, malting barley and potatoes, Thiel gained an appreciation for a rural and agrarian way of life but said he never felt pressure to take over the family farm from his father. Instead, after graduating from Idaho State University in 1999, he began pursuing a career in what he called the “business relationship” side of agriculture. He managed grain elevators in Nebraska and Idaho before accepting a U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency position as an inspector and auditor of agriculture storage facilities. That job took him back east and exposed him to what seemed like an exotic set of new crops, such as peanuts and cotton. Thiel’s next career move sent him to Kansas City doing compliance work on auditing issues with grain elevators. He also discovered some new hobbies, such as judging competitive barbecue events and competing in spicy wing-eating contests. While in Kansas City, Thiel moved to the RMA and began writing policy provisions for insurance plans, such as the Area Risk Protection Insurance (ARPI) and individual crop policies, such as onions and small grains. Policy questions that worked their way up from the producer, to the agent, to the insurance company and finally to the RMA often landed on Thiel’s desk for him to answer. “I was sort of an authority on answering certain questions and interpreting policy provisions,” he said. Thiel spent six years as a policy writer in Kansas City before accepting the Spokane job. 28 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 Thiel said his career trajectory has been more by happenchance and opportunity than a charted course, but the desire to stay in an ag-related field has remained constant. One of the things he is looking forward to, after years of working mostly with insurance companies at the national level, is to establish a more direct connection with local producers to address their specific crop insurance concerns. “I can’t always make the changes they would like, but I have the ability to be their advocate,” he explained. “I can be a resource to help the producers in our region better meet their risk management needs.” As Thiel settles into his new role, one of the things he’d like to focus on is producer education, specifically filling in gaps between the misperception of how crop insurance should work versus how it actually works. One of the complaints he often hears from producers is that they buy crop insurance every year, but only collect on it in certain years. “If you aren’t collecting every year, it probably means you are having good years,” he said. “I don’t see where that is bad. I’d like to make it so crop insurance is equitable, reasonable and a reliable form of risk management for producers.” Although Thiel will be dealing with many of the crops grown in his region (Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Alaska), he expects to be of particular help to small grain growers because of his background. “My greatest subject matter expertise is with small grains—wheat, barley, oats—and that comes from growing up on a farm that raised malt barley and working in the grain elevator business and handling those grains,” he explained. “In addition, there’s working with all levels of crop insurance that involve wheat and barley. 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Although the crop insurance program is subsidized, producers do pay money to get crop insurance. They are putting some skin in the game. SCO is basically another layer of coverage where you can offset your risk and shift it to area-based protection. That’s a new concept for this region, and some producers may benefit from that option if they typically yield better than the county average. On producer complaints that premiums are making crop insurance unaffordable. If a particular area has had a high loss ratio, meaning there has been more indemnity paid out than premiums paid in, that can increase the insurance rate over time. Essentially, the Federal Crop Insurance Act mandates that we balance losses being paid out by premiums paid in. 25 Years Growing ® I N C O R P O R A T E D • CRP, SAFE & Pollinator Mixes • Hay and Pasture Mixes • Alfalfa and Legumes • Habitat Mixes 30 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 When someone has this argument, then it’s usually one of two things: either somebody says I’m not covered enough or it is too expensive. There’s always somebody who’s going to think crop insurance is too expensive. This year it’s more the case of the other, farmers saying “I have certain losses that just aren’t being adequately covered.” When somebody makes that statement, you have to look at all the aspects that are involved. You review the policy to see if it worked as designed. Changes and improvements to the policy are done over time to provide more adequate coverage but also to avoid fraud, waste and abuse. If an area is experiencing high levels of loss and a lot of indemnities are paid out over time, that has to be looked at as well. What we don’t want to have happen is that the coverage is inadequate and is too expensive. On crop insurance not recognizing that different classes of wheat command different market prices. We recognize winter wheat and spring wheat. All wheat planted in the fall is lumped together, and all wheat planted in the spring is lumped together for price discov- ery. We do have a substantial amount of acreage for certain classes of wheat here in Washington, so we do have some clout. But if something were to change on that, it would have to be done nationwide. Mark Grant & Blaine Bickelhaupt Introduce Our New Company On the yield exclusion being made available for 2014 fall-planted crops. It’s only available on 2015 spring crops. We’ll pick up fall crops going into the future. On critics who say crop insurance subsidies are too high. If you want to get rid of something, you have to consider the consequences. Getting rid of subsidies, you could see more instability in the agriculture sector, less diversification in agriculture, less protection for the small farmer. There aren’t a lot of economic drivers in rural America other than agriculture. If you don’t provide a safety net for producers so they have that protection to operate from year to year, you’ll have more failures. It could lead to some sort of buyout of the agriculture sector or drive up food prices. We have a stable food supply, and that’s a form of national security. If you take subsidies away, you are saving taxpayer money, but there are always other consequences. 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View trial data at AgriProWheat.com/pnw Contact your AgriPro wheat seed associate, Syngenta retailer or visit www.AgriProWheat.com for more information. ©2014 Syngenta. PVPA 1994—Unauthorized propagation prohibited. Plant variety protection granted or applied for Syngenta varieties. AgriPro®, the Alliance Frame, the Purpose Icon and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. 17CE3010-1-H 2/14 TM WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 31 WL FEATURE Filling up a fuel plan Confusion still lingers around SPCC requirements By Trista Crossley FEATURE More than six months have passed since Congress passed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act that included an exemption from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC). But based on the number of people attending Kenneth Mattson’s convention breakout session on SPCC plans, confusion lingers on who needs a plan and what that plan should look like. Before the exemption was passed, any farmer who had a total of 1,320 gallons or more of aboveground fuel storage was required to have a SPCC plan. If a single tank had 5,000 gallons or more of capacity or the total storage capacity was 10,000 gallons or more, farmers had to have a professional engineer certify their plan. Under the 2014 exemption, operations that have less than 6,000 gallons of total aboveground storage capacity and no history of a spill are exempt from having to have a SPCC plan. In addition, tanks of less than 1,000 gallons do not have to be counted in the total. Farmers with more than 6,000 total gallons of fuel storage will need either a self-certified plan or a plan certified by a professional engineer. A self-certified plan is required when: • Total storage capacity is more than 6,000 but less than 20,000 gallons; • No single tank has more than 10,000 gallons of capacity; and • There’s no history of a spill. A plan must be certified by a professional engineer if: •T otal aboveground storage is more than 20,000 gallons; or • There is a history of reportable fuel discharge. To complicate matters even more, the 2014 legislation also called for a study to be conducted by EPA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to determine if the aboveground, 6,000 gallon total poses a significant discharge risk to water. Based on the results of that study, the exemption level may be lowered, but cannot go below 2,500 gallons. The results of that study are expected by mid-2015. With a background in tank and equipment sales, Mattson has been helping farmers with their SPCC plans for the past two years. He explained that seven or eight years ago, the EPA started to focus on regulating the fuel storage tanks used in agriculture. The SPCC rule, he said, is all about secondary containment and trying to prevent a spill from going down a ditch or getting to a stream. “Let’s consider a rain storm,” he said. “If you had a situ- WL ation where you had 50 gallons of fuel on the ground and it started to rain, where is that stuff going? Is it going to stay on your property or move down the road?” For farmers that meet the requirements for a selfcertified plan, there is an online document they can fill out to evaluate their current fuel storage and identify any secondary containment needs. Farmers aren’t required to send the plan to the government, but it should be made accessible to anybody who works on the farm. The plan should be reviewed every year and needs to be updated every 5 years or whenever a change in storage capacity is made. EPA’s template can be found on their website at epa.gov/OEM/content/spcc/tier1temp.htm. In general, SPCC plans “Let’s consider a rain storm. If have 4 basic you had a situation where you sections to had 50 gallons of fuel on the them. The first ground and it started to rain, part is to take inventory of all where is that stuff going? Is it aboveground going to stay on your property fuel containor move down the road?” ers larger than —Kenneth Mattson 1,000 gallons to determine which category you fall into. The next piece deals with secondary containment and whether or not you have a plan in case of a spill. As Mattson said, sometimes that plan is as simple as putting a ditch around a tank to make sure that if fuel leaks, it doesn’t mix with water. The next part of the plan deals with the operation of a farm’s fuel tanks. “Generally, there are two times that a tank is going leak,” Mattson said. “When you fill it and when you dispense it. You want to come up with a procedure for dispensing the fuel that is fool proof. The other side of the equation is the filling of the tank. The rule is, you don’t fill tanks more than 90 percent. Everybody should know that rule. The problem there is the farmer is usually not the guy filling the tank.” He recommended that level gauges be installed in all tanks so anybody filling a tank can easily see when it’s 90 percent full. The final part of the plan deals with training workers and creating a contact sheet listing emergency phone numbers. One problem Mattson said he encounters regularly when doing surveys of storage systems is farmers using the wrong type of tank, such as an underground tank for aboveground storage. He explained that aboveground tanks have openings for vents, pumps and gauges, while WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 33 WL FEATURE underground tanks generally only have one hole for a pump. “If you use that same tank above ground, you don’t have the vents on the tank,” he said. “Air pressure could cave it in. It has to do with how fast you are taking product out.” Two other issues Mattson runs into is DIY electrical wiring and the fact farmers don’t often understand that different types of fuel need to be vented differently. “All connections to pumps need to be explosion proof,” he said. “The farmer doesn’t know that’s a rule; he didn’t hire an electrician to come out. He just went down to Lowes and got some wiring.” Mattson said there are all kinds of secondary containment answers, from the afore-mentioned ditches to berms to portable spill kits, but the solutions are site specific. For those farmers that feel overwhelmed and aren’t sure what they need to do, this is where consultants like Mattson can help. Besides understanding exactly what the SPCC plan needs to look like, consultants can spot trouble areas that farmers don’t notice and help them implement the best solutions. Services usually range from simple consultations to creating plans that a certified engineer will sign off on. And for those farmers who say they aren’t anywhere near a stream so they don’t need a SPCC plan, Mattson said they need to be able to prove a fuel spill isn’t going to get to a waterway (through satellite pictures, etc.), and then that becomes their plan. The important thing, he stressed, is to have a plan. “Even if your plan is goofy, you are better off having a plan,” 34 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 Central Washington Grain Growers, Inc. Spring Wheat Seed Varieties Certified Soft White – Louise & Diva Certified Hard White – BR-7030 & Dayne Spring Barley Seed Certified Champion Certified Lenetah Certified Club – JD ye Certified DNS – Glee, Buck Pronto & Bullse Wilbur: 509-647-5510 • Waterville: 509-745-8551 • Visit us Online: www.cwgg.net Mattson said. “What we’ve heard from enforcement people is they want to make sure the plan matches the property. They aren’t going to tag you for not having a perfect plan, but they will tag you for not having a plan because that is the law. This thing isn’t going away.” For more information on Mattson and the services he provides, visit his website at spccompliant.com. For more information on SPCC plans for agriculture, visit EPA’s website at epa.gov/oem/content/spcc/spcc_ ag.htm. Considering Selling Your FARMLAND? Take It To THE PERILS ARE GREAT AUCTION! Fortunately, so are our crop insurance agents. Like everyone else at Northwest Farm Credit Services, • Intense, accelerated marketing builds excitement about your property. • Seller is in control—no buyer contingencies or extended negotiations. • All qualified buyers have the same bidding opportunity. • Competition helps to maximize the market value of your property. our crop insurance agents live and breathe agriculture. They’re immersed in it every day. That’s a tremendous advantage when you consider the nature of complex, Carson Dipo Insurance Agent ever-changing insurance programs. Fact is, risks abound – from adverse weather to a drop in market prices – and you need an insurance partner with expertise, knowledge and commitment, every step of the way. Give us a call today. Your only risk is waiting. northwestfcs.com | 800.743.2125 C.D. “Butch” Booker C.D. “Butch Booker Broker/Auctioneer Broker/Auctioneer 809 N. Main Colfax, WA 99111 509-397-4434 [email protected] www.kincaidrealestate.com This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 35 THE PRECISION DECISION: “The quality, condition, or fact of being exact and accurate”. When it comes to agriculture, “precision” has been around since the beginning of time when man first planted and tilled the soil. His precision skills where only as good as his information, imagination and equipment would allow. In today’s times agriculture producers have a vast amount of information and tools they can use to meet their objectives. It can be overwhelming at times. Let’s look at a few things to consider: You need to start with the basics. Precision Agriculture Where do you start? Map your fields with EM/EC (electro magnetic/electrical conductivity) equipment to get a solid base line foundation to know your fields. Perform zone soil sampling to know the variations in texture, nutrients and pH. Create border maps of your fields and farms for an accurate measurement of what you’re really farming. Evaluate current practices What equipment and potential capabilities do you have? What are your needs based on future goals and objectives? What Ag Service Providers can provide solutions? Make sure your equipment is capable of meeting your objectives Seeding Fertilizer Chemicals Equipment Data management Prescriptions Mapping It is important to keep up with what precision practices and equipment that are available Be sure to ask our For more information regarding your Precision Decision, contact: Specialists about John Deere FarmSight™ BLAKE HATCH JON REDFORD Integrated Solutions Integrated Solutions Manager Specialist 509-760-0137 509-346-8186 OTHELLO MOSES LAKE COULEE CITY 1415 South 1st Ave 1429 S Pioneer Way 406 W. Main 509-488-5222 509-765-0988 509-977-4810 36 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 RITZVILLE 803 West 1st 509-659-0510 There is a solution! Check out our website: www.eiijd.com/ AMS.html FARM & HOME SUPPLY THE NEXT BIG THING! PWM NOZZLE TECHNOLOGY 1-888-643-3395 • 509-843-3395 www.fhsupply.com Pomeroy, WA AVAILABLE FOR RENT, LEASE OR PURCHASE • New CaseIH Steiger 500 wheel tractor, triples, PTO, GPS ready, diff locks, exhaust brake, deluxe cab...Call • New Case IH 550 Quad-Trac, PTO, 36” Tracks...$465,000 Best Buys In Used Equipment ’07 CaseIH Steiger 430HD, duals, Difflocks, nice ............................................................ $126,500 Case 4890 4WD Tractor, PTO ......................... $17,500 ’94 Cat 85C Challenger, PTO, WT ................... $54,750 IH 1086 Tractor, High Lift, Farmhand Loader .........Call Make offer on JD Tractors! www.fhsupply.com 2.7 to 20 MPH Application Speed 5 to 25 GPA Application RATE ONE NOZZLE WITH Now available at your CERTIFIED TeeJet DynaJet dealer: Locations The Dalles, OR • Walla Walla, WA • Colfax, WA PHONE: 541-298-6277 www.atisolutionsllc.com JTI - YOUR AGRICULTURAL HUB OF THE INLAND EMPIRE! Case IH Precision 500T Drill Case IH Tractors • Single Disk Placement Accuracy • Cuts Through Heavy Residue • Simple, Hydraulic Depth Control Any size and application! Visit Us Online at www.jtii.com JONES TRUCK & IMPLEMENT “Your Agricultural Supply Headquarters” 425 Walla Walla Hwy. Colfax , Wash. (509) 397-4371 (800) 831-0896 Service: Greg Mayer Parts: Casey Jones Terry Largent • 509-336-1344 Dan Helbling • 509-336-1346 Bob Kerns • 509-336-1342 Precision Agriculture ’07 40’ JD 1890 Air Drill, 7.5” spacing, 110 bu. AGPRO cart, w/starter .............................. $124,500 JD 8870 Wheel Tractor, triples, PTO................ $49,500 JD 9400 Wheel Tractor, large Metric duals..... $79,500 JD 8440 Wheel Tractor, PTO ........................... $17,500 Great Plains 29’ Tandem Disc ...................Rent or Buy 24’ Great Plains 2410 NT Drill, 8” space, 3”x13” P.W., fertilizer kit.......................................... $45,000 Great Plains 3S4000 40’ Min.-Till Drill, 7.5” space, 3x13” Packer Wheels..............................Rent or Buy Great Plains 30’ Turbo-Max w/harrow ............... CALL Schulte Hyd. Fan Kit ..................................only $5,875 40’ Flex King Folding Weeder, 3-bar harrow.... $3,950 30’ CaseIH 1010 Header w/cart..................... $11,950 Thunder Creek Fuel & Service Trailer, 990 gals ... CALL New Unverferth 8250 grain cart, 850 bushel ..... CALL TopAir Sprayer, 1600 gal. tank, 120’ width, ultra sonic booms, GPS ready, 10-sections of booms ...........CALL 1983 1470 IH Combine, Updates ..........................Call 25’ IH 1010 Single Drive Header ...........................Call 1979 IH Truck, Diesel, w/slip tank .................. $11,750 Kioti PX9020 wheel tractor, 90 hp, 4x4, Cab, selfleveling loader ............................................. $64,975 Kioti Mechron UTV, 4x4 ................................. $13,750 IH TD9 Dozer, w/9 ft. Holt Angle Blade ............ $4,750 TWO LOCATIONS TO BETTER SERVE YOU! 304 N. 9th Avenue Walla Walla, Wash. (509) 525-6620 (800) 525-6620 Nick Lyons • 509-956-3110 Ray Steele • 509-956-3120 Service Contact: Bruce W. Johnson WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 37 WL FEATURE Mapping the way with PA Evergreen Implement uses technology to provide farming solutions By Kevin Gaffney Precision Agriculture Blake Hatch is the go-to expert for precision agriculture at Evergreen Implement. Hatch began his agriculture career early working on his family’s TriCities-area farm with his six siblings. “There were four boys and three girls, and all of us operated tractors, trucks, combines and other equipment,” said Hatch. “We broke 400 acres out of sagebrush and built it into a diverse, irrigated farm operation.” Their family later developed another, larger farm near Burbank, Wash., before Hatch earned his degree from Columbia Basin College. He and one of his brothers farmed together for a decade. “Then I went to work for AgriNorthwest as a farm unit manager,” explained Hatch. “I was with them for eleven years.” The next career stop was two years with Watts Brothers Farms, managing their 100-circle irrigation operation. Then came a short interruption in Hatch’s career in agriculture. “I had the opportunity for a career change. I took a position in the recycling industry in Colorado. After two years there, I knew I wanted to get back into the ag industry again.” That was when Hatch joined Evergreen Implement as Integrated Solutions manager in 2008. His territory is extensive, comprising Adams, Douglas, Lincoln, Franklin and Grant counties, giving him a mix of irrigated and dryland growers. “My job title is basically a fancy term for Precision Agriculture manager, but it is accurate because what we do is provide solutions,” said Hatch. “We work directly with each farmer’s operation and devise solutions to their problems or challenges.” Hatch explained several advantages of utilizing Precision Ag (PA) technology and equipment. Rate controllers are a huge cost saver, as they can be used for spraying, fertilizing and seeding operations, noted Hatch. 38 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 Blake Hatch at Evergreen Implement’s exhibit booth at the Pasco Ag Show with the PA equipment display. The unit his hand is resting on is part of the rate controller system, which is used to control the rates on spraying, fertilizing and seed operations. “PA enables farmers to make better cropping decisions, determine proper fertilizing levels, reduce trips over the fields and cut input costs,” said Hatch. “For irrigators, it helps to optimize the timing and amount of water to use. And for all farmers, it provides excellent record keeping, which is becoming more important all the time. “But, it all begins with field mapping. You overlay field maps with fertility maps and infrared maps. Yield monitors track and record crop yields for every field, and that data is compiled over several years to Precision Like You’ve Never Seen Before HAWKEYE™ NOZZLE CONTROL SYSTEM Raven’s Hawkeye™ system is ultra precise in a variety of conditions: Integrates with Raven’s product lines perfectly, including HAWKEYE™ • Responsive, intuitive touchscreen controls and horizontal/vertical orientation • Colorblind technology, so it works with every brand of equipment • Preloaded with AgX standard database and Raven Operating Software • 2 USB Ports, Slingshot ® Ready and Built Tough and Dustproof • 4 Camera Inputs for Monitoring Equipment, Blind Spots, etc. Call Spray Center to take advantage of exceptional promotional pricing on Raven Viper® 4 and Hawkeye™ products through March 6, 2015! Spray Center Electronics 9721 W Flight Drive, Spokane WA www.spraycenter.com 800-477-7729 INTRODUCING THE AFFORDABLE AUTO BOOM HEIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM FROM BESTWAY. Precision Agriculture • Accuracy working in rugged terrain and in extreme temperatures • Reduced spray drift, consistent spray pattern • Accurate droplet size and placement • ISO compatible - Fully integrated with machine application control system • Simple installation and calibration • Accurate across the entire width of the boom when adjusting pressure on the fly • Locks on to target rate coming out of a headland in less than 10 feet • Nozzle by nozzle turn compensation standard • Over 30 years of application control experience • 2-year warranty at no cost (with registration) • Support materials on RavenHelp.com and Raven Precision YouTube Channel VIPER® 4 FIELD COMPUTER THE SHARPEST TOOL IN THE SHED Add the efficiency and convenience of Bestway’s AutoGlide™ ultrasonic boom height control system at a price that won’t break the bank. AutoGlide™ is designed for Bestway Field Pro IV and most other brands of pull type or self propelled sprayers with live hydraulic boom controls. AutoGlide™ uses your sprayers existing electric-over-hydraulic controls so there are no extra hydraulic components to add to your sprayer. Give us a call today to discuss AutoGlide™ or your Bestway sprayer needs. SOLD LOCALLY BY: DIESEL & MACHINE, INC. www.Bestway-Inc.com BW-310M.indd 1 227 20th St. North, Lewiston, ID 83501 Call Today! 208-743-7171 12/31/13 11:02 AM WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 39 WL FEATURE build accurate averages. You then determine the best cropping rotations and fertilizer levels not just for individual farms, but for specific areas in each field unit.” Hatch estimates that about two-thirds of Evergreen’s growers utilize at least some components of John Deere’s FarmSight precision ag equipment. Ironically, Hatch noted that it isn’t just the young farmers who are adopting PA technology. Precision Agriculture “Of course, we have lots of younger farmers utilizing PA, but there are holdouts in all age groups. Current PA systems are increasingly user-friendly for the farmer. This has made it easier for a lot of seasoned farmers to jump into the game. “We have quite a few farmers in their 80s who really love their auto-steer systems. It really helps reduce driver fatigue while eliminating skips and overlaps.” Evergreen schedules two main training seminars every year at different locations. They also sponsor specialized training sessions for sprayers and combines. Every PA system sale also includes hands-on training with the farmer to help familiarize them with their new systems. “Many of the farmers are pretty tech-savvy. One of the biggest challenges is adequately training the employees on the equipment,” remarked Hatch. “These are sophisticated, expensive systems, and it’s important to operate them properly and safely. Comprehensive training of the operators is very important to our team.” As more farmers acquired PA components, Hatch’s team wondered if there would be a plateau or leveling off of demand, but that has not proven to be the case. With the advances in wireless data transfer and the new equipment being designed in a way that is very user friendly to owners of the previous generation of equipment, sales have continued to be strong. “Also, we all know that farmers are pretty good at watching for successful trends in what their neighbors are doing. When something is working for other growers, the word gets around.” With accuracy now available to the subinch level with Real Time Kinematic (RTK) technology, a trend 40 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 has developed with several dryland farmers teaming up to share the costs of installing an RTK tower, which can run to more than $20,000. “Several farms can use the same tower up to 25 miles away, so it works really well for groups of growers. They can each establish exact field borders, enjoy pass-to-pass accuracy and have all their mapping and other information available to them.” With the advent of smart phones and tablet computers, farmers can now access their information from the cloud at any time from almost anywhere. “It really is amazing. You can monitor your machinery operating in the field from Hawaii on vacation, if you have access to a wireless connection,” noted Hatch. As for where PA technology is headed, Hatch anticipates that it will be used more extensively in moisture monitoring to make better cropping decisions in the dryland sector. He believes having more information enables smarter farm operation choices. “This last year was an example. There may be opportunities in the future with wireless moisture probes and precision soil mapping to make better agronomic decisions knowing what is below the surface for moisture and nutrients. “As I mentioned, we are determined to be problem solvers for our growers,” stressed Hatch. “We find the right solutions for each individual farm.” The future is already here on some automated operation of equipment. Combine operators can now remotely bring a tractor pulling a grain cart to their combine to unload within limited areas of the harvest field. “We are not quite to the point of one, manned combine leading four additional remote-controlled machines around the harvest field yet,” said Hatch. “But they are working on that kind of advanced technology. It could be coming along at some point. John Deere is very careful to work all the bugs out of their systems before they release anything for sale.” Now in his seventh year with Evergreen, Hatch looks forward to continuing to provide effective solutions for growers with PA technology. He can be contacted at (509) 488-5222 or through Evergreen Implement Inc. online at eiijd.com. Seed, Fertilizer & Chemical Application Equipment 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 Cross Slot Openers! Drill Frames with 2 or 3 Ranks and High Flotation Tires Call for details at 800-492-2212 1112 Airway Ave. Lewiston, ID 893501 Email: [email protected] www.agproinc.com Precision Agriculture Contact Denver Black at (509) 679-9948 [email protected] iPad with Wireless Blockage App Sensor Options www.blackrockag.com Front & Rear Views of ECU Looking to the Future To Keep You In the Black, Jack! WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 41 Soil pH Affects Your Yield Use NuCal for fast pH increase, anytime Calcium nutrition through ultra fine lime technology The answer for today and... tomorrow J&M Fabrication Our shop can do the job for you! Precision Agriculture Clean Grain & Return Elevators 12 gauge construction, 2.5 times stronger than EOM. For newer model Case IH machines. • Custom Welding • Fuel Tanks • Equipment Repairs • Tool Boxes • On-Site Millwright work • All types of Custom Design Work • Custom Truck Bodies & Flatbeds • Custom-made Combine Parts Efficient and very affordable Improve your yield this season and... next J&M Fabrication Call: Gary Wegner (509) 998-2932 Jason Imes (360) 852-4766 Gudrun Mahrt (360) 430-6092 Producers of MICRONA™ and HydroCal™ Products 40 MILES PER HOUR. THAT’S FAST. With that kind of road speed, you won’t waste time getting from field to field. And when it comes to spraying, time is money. Don’t waste your time. Call Justin Miller Today! 509-235-5711 or 509-993-2890 (cell) Cheney, WA NEW Dayton, WA Store Coming Soon! SPEND MORE TIME SPRAYING and less time moving your sprayer from field to field. Your Miller CONDOR Dealer in the West Please call 877-253-WEST 887-253-WEST (9378) or Greg at 541-786-1000 10200 Wallowa Lake Highway La Grande, OR 97850 42 Pioneer West_7.375x4.86_Dec_15.indd 1 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 84083 Alpine Ln Joseph, OR 97846 378 Briar Place Belgrade, MT 59714 1/7/15 10:35 PM AG TRUCKS/SPRAYFLEX BOOM SYSTEMS SPRAYFLEX REAR BOOM SPRAY SYSTEMS SPRAYFLEX BOOM CONVERSIONS Visit Our Spokane Ag Expo Booth Near the Top of the Escalators! SPRAYFLEX 3-POINT BOOM SYSTEMS SPRAYFLEX DIRECT MOUNT BOOM SYSTEM WWW.AGTRUCKSANDEQUIPMENT.COM • 509-338-7346 • 406-788-5361 RBR VECTOR 300 The solid option for the hills...and everywhere else. Precision Agriculture SPRAYFLEX Features: • 90-150 ft. Boom Widths Available • Toughest Boom on the Market • Ultra-light Aluminum construction • Bolt-in Replaceable Sections • Spray Boom flexes on 2-axis design We’ll see you at the Ag Spokane Expo! 370 HP CUMMINS • ALLISON AUTO • STAINLESS 1600 OR 2000 GALLON • MERITOR #33,000 AXLES SPRAYFLEX ALUMINUM BOX BOOM • “DEEP SUMP” TANK • BOOM WIDTHS: 90-150 FT WWW.AGTRUCKSANDEQUIPMENT.COM 509-338-7346 • 406-788-5361 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 43 ACCURATE SEEDING IN THE TOUGHEST CONDITIONS. Since 1997, we’ve bought future CRP payments. Call today for a present value offer! (800) 897-9825 or visit us online at crpquote.com P2000 Series Air Disk Drills are built New Holland SMART with patented parallel-arm mounted row units that provide unmatched ground following. The result: superior seed depth accuracy and picture perfect crop emergence. And, the 18-inch opening disks cut cleanly through the heaviest crop residues and the hardest no-till soils. Choose the P2080 disk drill in 30-, 40-, 50- and 60-foot widths for tow-behind or tow-between air carts applications. Or, choose the highly maneuverable P2085 mounted seed tank version available in 30- and 40-foot widths. All models feature a split rank tool bar which allows operator to easily switch to 15” on 7.5” model and 20” on 10” model. • Industry-leading durability combined with high-strength parts means less wear, and reduced maintenance costs • Super-easy, single-handed depth adjustment from 0 to 3.5”, plus standard, in-cab, down-pressure adjustment • 50 and 60 foot models now available for big acres an maximum productivity NOW SERVING YOU FROM TWELVE CONVENIENT SUPER STORE LOCATIONS S.S. Equipment Hines Pasco Othello (509) 547-1795 509-547-1795 509-488-9606 541-573-1280 www.sseqinc.com Quincy Moses Lake Lakeview 509-787-3595 509-764-8447 541-947-2188 Walla Walla Corvallis LaGrande 509-522-9800 541-757-8112 541-963-8144 © 2014 CNH Industrial America LLC. All rights reserved. New Holland Agriculture is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates. New Holland Construction is a trademark in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates. EQUIPMENT www.sseqinc.com Christmas Valley 541-576-3026 Hermiston 541-567-3001 NEW Viper® 4 The Sharpest Tool In The Shed Viper® 4 integrates with Raven’s full line of products into one networked platform that offers a responsive touchscreen and an intuitive, tablet-style interface with swiping features and horizontal or vertical orientation. Customize your Viper® 4 by user and machine. It’s colorblind, which means it works with equipment of every brand. Easy job setup, fewer touches, and greater efficiency all for extraordinary data management The capabilities. sharpest tool in the shed The sharpest tool in the shed Viper® 4 integrates with Raven's full line of products into one networked platform that offers a responsive touchscreen and an intuitive, tablet-style interface with swiping features and horizontal or vertical orientation. Customize your Viper ® 4 by user and ma® colorblind which means it works with equipment of every brand. Easy job set-up, fewer touches, and greater efficiency chine - it's Viper 4 integrates with Raven's full line of products into one networked platform that offers a responsive touchscreen and an int allow for extraordinary data management capabilities ® The Ultimate Seeding Experience ©2014 CNH Industrial America LLC. All rights reserved. New Holland Agriculture is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates. New Holland Construction is a trademark in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates. SMARTYIELD: tive, tablet-style interface with swiping features and horizontal or vertical orientation. Customize your Viper 4 by user and machine - it's colorblind which means it works with equipment of every brand. Easy job set-up, fewer touches, and greater efficienc allow for extraordinary data management capabilities Keeping better score Here’s the most advanced from start to finish air seeding control system on the market. OmniSeed™ Raven’s new SmartYield™ is a fully integrated system yield monitoring system is the offering complete control perfect partner for any comand increased productivity. bine, when paired with Raven’s One of Omniseed’s many Envizio Pro II™ field computer. time-saving features is a The ultimate seeding experiremote tank console that streamlines the air cart ence meter calibration process. No more running back and forth to the tractor cab. YouThe simply start seeding and experiultimate stop the meters remotely at theence cart and enter calibration rates through the console. Here's the most advancd air seeding control system Here's the most advancd air seeding control system on the market. OmniSeed™ is a fully integrated system offering you complete control and increased productivity. One of OmniSeed's many time-saving features is a remote tank console which streamlines the air cart meter calibration process. Instead is of arunning back on the market. 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Member of 44 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 By Steve Claassen The Washington Grain Commission has underwritten five endowed professorships worth $7 million at Washington State University (WSU) since the first one, the Vogel Endowed Chair in Wheat Breeding and Genetics, was funded in 1990. WSU’s Foundation invests the money, the interest from which, minus an administrative fee, is used to fund specific research. The WGC endowments are on my mind now because the commission met at WSU in January to listen to researchers tell us what we have gotten for our money’s worth. In some cases, the returns are obvious. In others, our questions and comments are meant to guide researchers toward the applied results we can put to work in our fields. The university has done a stellar job of investing WGC money, much better than I have done with my own investments. But nobody did well during the recession. Our endowments were actually underwater for a couple of years, which means their value was less than the initial investment. Which meant several researchers didn’t get any money for a few years. Things have turned around since then, and the endowments are now returning real dough on the order of $60,000 or more a year. The commission views these endowments as our ace in the hole. By that I mean, the invested funds will continue to churn out interest to fund research regardless of the price of wheat or the size of the state’s crop. Since 2014 was the state’s smallest crop since 1991 and with the possibility of another small crop coming on this summer, the advantage of the WGC’s endowment strategy begins to reveal itself. Good crops and good prices several years in a row beginning back in 2008 benefited both farmers and the WGC. Or rather, they benefited the research, marketing and educational programs the WGC funds. Anticipating a fall in prices last year, commissioners set a no-increase budget for 2014/15. In 2015/16, we’ll pull the belt a notch or two tighter, but we won’t be running around like Chicken Little. Access to reserves intended to keep funding stable, as well as a commission policy established decades ago which safeguards a year’s budget in advance, Although we won’t be forced to drastically cut our budget like states that operate off same-year income, make no mistake, reductions to various programs are coming. Everything is on the table, but we will especially be looking at reducing or eliminating projects we feel haven’t delivered. I understand how much research has benefited farmers over the years. Semidwarf wheats, recognition of the importance of the green bridge, breeding for rust resistance: none of these benefits would have been possible without research. At the same time, however, I have come to understand after serving on the commission the last five years that just because research remains our priority, we can’t shortchange marketing. Today’s world wheat market is not, as the car commercial put it, your father’s world wheat market. The fall of communism and the end of the wildly inefficient collective farms of the former Soviet Union continues to stir up the wheat market in good and bad ways. I think it was Winston Churchill who said that democracy was the worst form of government, except for all the others. The same might be said of capitalism. It certainly has turned the formerly low-yielding but fertile land of the Black Sea States into a wheat power house. Looking back over WGC budgets for the last 20 years, there’s only been one year the WGC’s marketing category surpassed research. Last year, research funding, even without figuring the $5 million we contributed to a new WSU wheat greenhouse, was 37 percent of our budget while market development was under 21 percent. I don’t believe I’m the only one of your commissioners who thinks that allocation is out of whack. The income of farmers and landlords—and even the input dealers we do business with—all depend on market demand. With the world awash in wheat, educating customers about how the soft white, hard red winter and hard red spring grown in our state can best meet their needs is simply a priority. WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION The Vogel endowment was a $1.5 million deal that saw the state, WSU and the WGC cooperatively fund the chair. Since then, the WGC has independently funded four other research endowments: 1997, $1.5 million, the R. James Cook Endowed Chair in Cropping Systems; 2008, $2 million, the endowed chair in small grain economics; 2009, $1.5 million, the Washington Wheat Distinguished Professorship; and 2010, $1.5 million, the endowed chair in small grain extension and research. in essence working off the previous year’s income, means the sky will not fall. I’m not expecting big changes in the upcoming budget. Research projects are long-term investments, and we can’t cut willy nilly, but even altering the direction of an aircraft carrier by a couple of degrees today will eventually wind up sending it to another part of the world in the future. With endowments at WSU and the WGC’s conservative fiscal policies serving as a backstop for research, that’s exactly what I’m hoping we can accomplish. WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 45 Better late than never WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION So much for science The debate over genetically modified crops isn’t about science, it’s about values, Britain’s chief scientist said, explaining that people with strongly held beliefs think “there is something wrong with humans modifying nature.” Greenpeace co-founder Patrick Moore, who now actively campaigns against his former organization’s anti-GMO bias, put it another way. “There is now an anti-intellectual element that doesn’t care a hoot about people. There is no logic or science involved—only ideology and ignorance.” Not a month goes by without dozens of articles covering the GMO debate. There are currently no commercially available GMO wheat varieties, and none are expected for seven to 10 years. But the values controversy continues. Case in point, Simplot, the giant, Idaho-based agricultural conglomerate, has developed a new biotech potato, the Innate. It is less susceptible to black spot from bruising caused by impact and has lower levels of sugar and asparagine, a potential human carcinogen when cooked. It has even been given formal approval for use by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. But if McDonalds, a company that buys 3.4 billion pounds of potatoes a year for their french fries and hash browns, doesn’t value the biotech potato—and they don’t—it isn’t likely to do well in the market. New president, new opportunities? He sounds a bit like Indonesia’s Abraham Lincoln, a man who was raised in a riverbank shack, hates pomp and is untainted by corruption. Called Jokowi by his constituents, Joko Widodo is the new president of the world’s largest Muslim nation, which also happens to be a growing market for U.S. wheat. Made up of thousands of islands and 250 million people, Indonesia’s election of Widodo as the country’s seventh president, is the first time a political outsider has risen to the high office. In 2013/14, Indonesia was the Northwest’s fourth biggest customer for soft white wheat, taking 468,000 metric tons. For the record The annual lock closure for maintenance, inspection and repair work of locks within the Walla Walla District of the Corps of Engineers is scheduled to begin March 7 and continue through April 4. Locks to be closed include McNary, Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite. 46 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 It’s been 15 years since then-Washington 5th District Rep. George Nethercutt led the fight to ease sanctions against Cuba, a fight he picked partly because of the unhappiness of wheat and pulse farmers over a multitude of unilateral agricultural embargoes then in effect. Besides Cuba, U.S. farmers couldn’t sell into Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Libya. One of the architects of the 1996 “Freedom to Farm” farm bill, Nethercutt said that philosophy should also include the freedom to market. His effort created a brief opening, but Congress subsequently tightened restrictions, forcing Cubans to operate on a cash, rather than credit basis, and exports dried up. President Obama’s decision to re-establish diplomatic ties with the Caribbean nation does not end the embargo, but it could be the beginning of the end. Trade with Cuba could translate into 20 million more bushels of wheat being sold annually. The Communist nation of 11 million located just 90 miles from the U.S. currently has its wheat needs supplied by the European Union and Canada. A 2010 Texas A & M study estimated that easing restrictions could mean $365 million in additional sales of U.S. commodities, which would inject $1.1 billion into the U.S. economy and create 6,000 new jobs. It’s unlikely that any wheat from the Northwest would make it to Cuba, but if a rising tide lifts all boats, then lifting the embargo should have a positive effect on prices. U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers think the opportunities are enormous and are founding members of the U.S. Agricultural Coalition for Cuba. Alan Tracy, president of USW applauded efforts to normalize trade relations. “If U.S. trade with Cuba can increasingly respond to economics rather than politics, we believe our wheat market share there will eventually grow from its current level of zero to around 80 to 90 percent, as in other Caribbean nations.” WGC REVIEW WL Oops, for them Oops, for us You know the Dietary Guidelines for Americans published every five years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services, which since 1980 have been urging Americans to cut back on fat, especially the saturated kind found mainly in animal foods such as red meat, butter and cheese? Turns out fat might not be such a bad thing after all and being told to consume 60 percent of our calories from carb-rich foods like pasta, bread, fruit and potatoes wasn’t good advice. In fact, Nina Teicholz, author of “The Big Fat Surprise: Why Butter, Meat and Cheese Belong in a Healthy Diet,” said that advice to avoid saturated fats can actually lead to worrisome health effects. Nevertheless, Teicholz said, the USDA continues to focus on reasons to condemn red meat, such as how its production damages the environment, clearly not part of its dietary purview. Bindweed in a field of organic wheat. Oh, please! Farmers who have tried growing organic wheat would argue it’s weeds, low production and lack of cash flow that keeps them from adopting the chemical-free alternative. But according to a new study by Jeff Murray, a marketing professor at the University of Arkansas’ Walton College of Business, it’s actually the personal beliefs of farmers, rather than technical or material obstacles that stop them from making the transition. According to the report, ideology is the reason why farmers resist change when profit isn’t an issue and technical or material obstacles such as learning and using new equipment or keeping different kinds of records are not a deterrent. The study, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, found “ideological tensions embedded in the different strategic orientations to agriculture.” Murray argued it isn’t weeds, but the “intensity of these ideological tensions that impedes the transition to a more economically strategic orientation.” WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION The Canadian Wheat Board is a shadow of its former self, now that the government has stripped the company of its monopoly powers as a single-desk seller. The conservative government made the change, abetted by some Western Canadian farmers who argued for the opportunity to sell wheat themselves, believing they could do better. Not so far. According to an article on the CBC website, for every dollar a customer paid for wheat under the single desk between 2007 and 2010, the farmer received about 90 cents, while rail and grain companies received about 10 cents. In 2014, farmers were getting 41 cents on the dollar, rail companies 11 cents and grain companies 48 cents. Not to mention, the once vaunted quality of Canadian grain has eroded. Problems include underweight shipments, lower-thanexpected protein and gluten strength and even occasional mixtures with other commodities. Screening the best! There are many reasons for farmers to buy certified seed rather than brown bagging, that is, saving their own seed for planting. One of them is seed vigor. According to Jerry Robinson, manager of the Washington State Crop Improvement Association, research investigating plant vigor has found the larger the seed, the better the vigor. Nowadays, he said, certified seed is conditioned over screens which keeps uniformity and seed size at optimum ranges. “The use of certified seed instead of farmer-saved seed makes a very large difference in the quality and size of seed a grower has to plant,” Robinson said. And that’s why Washington has the highest use of certified wheat seed in the nation at around 90 percent of planted acreage. WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 47 WL WGC REVIEW WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION Can you dig it? Yes! Grade deflation If you listened closely, you might have been able to hear a sigh of relief rolling down the Columbia-Snake River System on Jan. 6. That was the date Judge James Robart of the U.S. District Court’s Western District of Washington denied an injunction to halt dredging in the Lower Granite Pool. It’s been nine years since the channel and berthing areas at Lewiston and Clarkston have been dredged, reducing the depth to seven feet in some places. The channel is supposed to be 14 feet deep. Glen Squires, CEO of the Washington Grain Commission, was thrilled with the judge’s ruling. “The decision reaffirms our belief that when it comes to what’s best for the river and the environment, the Corps of Engineers and its federal partners know best. But this suit was never about dredging. It was about activists looking for another approach to breach the dams,” Squires said, adding, “We must maintain our vigilance when it comes to river navigation. Every wheat farmer, even those who don’t use the river to move their grain, benefits from having an alternative mode of transportation.” Because the suit delayed the beginning of dredging, an accelerated schedule started Jan. 12 and will end Feb. 28 to prevent any interference with fish passage. Down, but not out The U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasts net farm income for 2014 will be down 23 percent from 2013, the lowest since 2010, but even then, it’s still 15 percent higher than the previous 10year average. Not to mention, the average wealth of a farm household is four to five times that of a nonfarm household. 48 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 Finding out your parents or grandparents only had an eighth-grade education might make you think they weren’t very smart. Ha! A look at an 1895 eighthgrade final exam from Salinas, Kan., quickly cures you of that idea. The test had five sections: grammar, arithmetic, history, geography and orthography, which is “the art of writing words with the proper letters according to standard usage” and took five hours to complete. Can you answer one question from each section? 1.Give nine rules for the use of capital letters. 2.If a load of wheat weighs 3,942 pounds, what is it worth at 50 cents per bushel, deducting 1,050 pounds for tare? 3.Name events connected with the following dates: 1607, 1620, 1800, 1849, 1865. 4.Name all the Republics of Europe and give the capital of each. 5.Write 10 words frequently mispronounced and indicate pronunciation by use of diacritical marks and by syllabication. Eating quickly, sleeping less Why do you eat fast food? To save time? That was the answer to a study from the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Those who purchase fast food on a given day not only spend less time eating and drinking, they also sleep an average 23 minutes less, do less housework and watch less television than the average for the total population. Success a Wheat Week at a time The Washington Grain Commission-sponsored educational program, Wheat Week, has come in for its share of criticism due to the antigluten juggernaut, but that tells only one side of the story. The other side was recently revealed in an email from a teacher at an elementary school outside of Seattle to Wheat Week’s education director, Kara Kaelber. The fourth-grade teacher told the story of a student, “Aaron,” who, because of family travel and lack of English, is performing at a kindergarten level. The teacher wrote, “I’m tremendously fond of Aaron and have been doing so much to catch him up and pull him in. Still, some days are just bad days, and my heart breaks.” Then, the educator from Wheat Week came into the classroom. Aaron, who wants to be a scientist, was fascinated by her, but his classroom teacher’s expectations were low when it came to filling out the “Kernel Journal,” a workbook for students to write about what they’ve learned. “I can’t emphasize how amazing this is,” the teacher wrote. “Aaron is talking to his classmates about their plants (perhaps his first positive, shared connection with peers). He was happy and engaged every single lesson, every single day.” The teacher went on to say that getting kids thinking about the wheat industry has happened “for heaps of my kids” but was a particular breakthrough “for a little guy who is having one of the most challenging years of his life.” The teacher’s final thought, “I hope this program continues for a long, long time.” WGC REVIEW You say UAV, they say RPAS The comeback kid As a commodity, wheat has taken it on the chin from critics the last few years, but there’s another product that has fared much worse for a long time: butter. In the early 1900s, butter consumption averaged more than 18 pounds per person annually. It wasn’t until the mid-1930s that butter began its precipitous fall. Margarine overtook butter use around 1960. Today, per capita butter consumption is a little less than six pounds, but that has been steadily growing the last 10 years and today, surpasses margarine use. The change is the result of several factors. One is that margarine isn’t really as healthy as once thought. And then there’s the explosion of food television shows with many of the chefs using lots of butter in their recipes. Speaking of butter, the Japanese had a shortage of the commodity around Christmas due to hotter-than-normal weather and poor milk production in the country’s dairy regions. That wasn’t good news for the makers of holiday sponge cakes, the three ingredients of which include soft white wheat, eggs and butter. Humm, humm, good! Plant blood is the secret ingredient in a new approach to create a meat-like substance that, for all intents and purposes looks, feels, smells and tastes like the real thing. Livestock is an antiquated technology, said Patrick Brown, a Stanford University professor who started the company, Impossible Foods. Replicating meat, eggs and cheese with plant matter is the next big thing with several companies now pursuing the goal. The plant blood in Brown’s case is derived from the molecule found in hemoglobin which is extracted from five different plant species. But could fake meat win mainstream adoption? There are doubters. “One of my food rules is never to eat anything artificial,” said Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition and food studies at New York University. “I don’t get the fake meat movement.” Flour’s power is grain kryptonite Flour shipments around the world aren’t expected to be as big as they were in 2011/12 when 14.5 million metric tons (mmt) were shipped, but the International Grains Council’s estimate of 13.3 mmt (grain equivalent) being shipped in 2014/15 is the second annual increase. U.S. wheat farmers are not pleased because flour shipments often squeeze grain exports. Flour imports into the Philippines from Turkey have played havoc with the soft white wheat market there. Indonesia, which has become an important market for soft white wheat as well as other classes, has also seen Turkish flour imports. It recently shifted from a 20 percent tariff on all flour imports to a quota system and is expected to import 800,000 tons of flour in wheat equivalent in 2014/15, up from 300,000 tons the year before. In 2010/11, the country took slightly more than a million tons. Although Turkey was the No. 1 flour exporter in 2012/13 and 2013/14, it’s expected that Kazakhstan will regain the lead in 2014/15, shipping 3.2 mmt in wheat equivalent. Turkey is expected to export 2.7 mmt. The European Union is the third largest flour supplier, expected to ship 1.1 mmts. Of the countries that import flour, Uzbekistan is No. 1, Afghanistan No. 2 and Indonesia No. 3. WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION Advocates say drones may be the next great leap in agricultural technology, but the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) isn’t making it easy for the new sector to get off the ground. Companies overseas that aren’t hamstrung by FAA regulations are experiencing a drone boom while those in the U.S. are thinking of heading to Canada to test their wings and rotors. Trimble is having their drones made elsewhere to be able to ship overseas. The FAA has banned all but a handful of private-sector drone companies as the agency completes rules for the pilotless aircraft, expected within the next several years. Last September, the FAA authorized six filmmaking companies to use drones, bringing to eight the number of U.S. commercial drone operators. Meanwhile, there are thousands in Europe. Beyond the FAA controversy, there’s debate over what exactly to call the flying machines. Drones sound militaristic and dumb, say some. UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) is frequently used as well as UAS (unmanned aircraft system). Some have suggested crone for commercial drone. In Europe, they’re called RPAS for remotely piloted aircraft systems. WL Getting better, not older Adequate nutrition is one of the markers for a long life, so new mortality estimates from the Society of Actuaries that reveal Americans are living longer lives is good news for those who grow the nation’s food. Between 2000 and 2014, the average lifespan of a 65-year-old man has expanded by 2 years to 86.6 years, while a 65-year-old women’s lifespan has expanded 2.4 years to 88.8 years. The news is not all good, however, as longer lives squeeze retirement savings. WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 49 REPORTS WA S H I N G TO N G R A I N CO M M I S SION Diving into the deep end WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION Wheat Academy tough but worthwhile By Scott A. Yates Asked about the value of Washington State University’s (WSU) recent Wheat Academy, Steve Reinertsen, director of research at the McGregor Company, said after 31 years of experience, his goal for attending was to take away a couple of nuggets of information. But plenty of others at the event, he said, “have been getting a whole wheelbarrow full.” Organized by the Wheat and Small Grains Extension team, the Wheat Academy, held Dec. 16-17 on the first floor of the Vogel Plant Biosciences Building on the WSU campus, was a sellout. Its 60 slots were quickly snapped up, and a waiting list was created. That kind of response told Drew Lyon, who holds the endowed chair in weed science at WSU, that there’s pent up demand for in-depth education about the latest in wheat research. Specifically, for data only Extension can provide. “Extension’s strength is research-based information; we dive into the science more,” he said. “Dive” is the right word. The academy was no superficial pleasure cruise, notwithstanding the donuts, Starbucks coffee and other treats available during breaks. Some of the dozen, 75-minute-long presentations required participants to dust off knowledge from long ago chemistry and molecular genetics classes. Assuming they’d had either. “The expertise of the presenter makes a big difference, as well as the complication of the class, but most have been good,” said Steve Landt, a wheat, barley, hay and cattle farmer from Spokane County. He liked the presentation on the physiology of the wheat plant and its growth. Lyon said it’s a struggle to keep presentations rewarding without making them too tough. “We wanted to step up the level of education. But maybe in some cases we stepped it up more than it needed to be. Our goal is to find the sweet spot—the place where 50 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 Stephen Guy, Washington State University dryland cropping systems agronomist, takes farmers through various techniques for establishing their own, on-farm testing, which he called a powerful tool to solve problems. people aren’t bored, but where it isn’t so challenging as to be incomprehensible,” he said. Randy James, a farmer from Dayton, said it’s not a bad thing to have to brush up on the scientific end of wheat farming from time to time, but he acknowledged some of the material was over his head. He liked the hands-on presentation explaining how wheat quality translated into baking. Trevor DeVore, a crop consultant from McGregor, said the academy “definitely broadens your horizons.” His favorite presentation went into chemical reactions in the soil. For Clayton Lord of Wilbur-Ellis, the academy made him realize how much more he has to learn. He liked the weed science and chemical modes of action presentation. Kevin Johnson, also with Wilbur-Ellis, said the academy WGC REPORTS WL was a good refresher even for people who have experience. He found the wireworm class particularly valuable. Charlie Remington, who farms outside The Dalles, Ore., and attended the academy with his wife, Dezi, came away with a lot of new information. But there was a drawback. “There are a lot more things I have to worry about now,” he said. Participants at Washington State University’s inaugural Wheat Academy spent two days in teaching laboratories at the Vogel Plant Biosciences Building learning about everything from the biology of wireworms and managing nematodes to micronutrient dynamics and soil acidity. Lyon believes the absence of the middle group reflects the period when wheat farming wasn’t very profitable. More favorable economics the last few years has had a lot to do with younger people showing up in larger numbers, not to mention the fact baby boomers are finally retiring and need to be replaced, he said. Many of the young crop consultants at the academy came from farm families and were biding their time for the opportunity to go back to the farm themselves. Kyle Young, who grew up on a farm and now works for Helena Chemical, said his father wanted him to get a real job for 10 years before returning to farm. Trevor Johnson, who works for Four Star in Colfax, put it another way. “The farm is big enough to need two people, but it’s not big enough to support two people.” Charlie Remington and his wife, Dezi, farmers from The Dalles, Ore., look on as Doug Engle, food technologist for the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, demonstrates how the falling number test works, during a Wheat Academy program on end-use quality. WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION The wheat academy was noteworthy for more than the information provided. The demographics of the participants was a clear-cut sign wheat farming is bringing in a new generation of young people. Attendance at the academy was not only split about 50/50 between farmers and crop consultants, it was also divided between those younger than 35 and those older than 55, with not many in between. Although the $100 sign-up for the academy defrayed most of the costs of the event, funding from the Washington Grain Commission served as seed money that allowed the Wheat and Small Grains Extension team to plan the event. The WGC also established Lyon’s $1.5 million endowment, interest from which is plowed back into his program. It’s rare when an event is successful enough during its inaugural outing to be assured of a return engagement. But even before the Wheat Academy was over, Lyon was looking forward to next year’s opportunity for farmers and crop consultants to put on their diving gear and take a penetrating look at their favorite crop. The Wheat Academy was divided almost equally between individual farmers and those working for private companies. The event also saw a split between younger and older generations. Syngenta’s Cheney, Wash., operation sent a young group including (from left) Travis Gordon, Dan Maxfield, Parker Britton and Frank Phillips. WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 51 WL WGC REPORTS Unlocking secrets to club membership, club wheat, that is WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION By Scott A. Yates It wasn’t long after Robert Allan arrived in Pullman in September 1957, pulling a trailer behind a ’55 Plymouth coupe, three days late because of a freak snowstorm and a flat tire, that his boss, Orville Vogel, introduced him to club wheat. It was, as the last line of the movie “Casablanca” put it, “The beginning of a beautiful friendship.” Vogel, who was busy at the time working to release the world’s first semidwarf soft white wheat, suggested that Allan, in addition to his other duties as a geneticist, work on breeding club wheat. From that time to this, the 84 year old has never stopped. Although he officially retired from the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1996, Allan continues to come to his office in Johnson Hall on the Washington State University campus and persists in crossing wheat germplasm in his backyard garden (55 crosses last summer). Not to mention, he wrote a book about his favorite genotype. Published in 2014 and entitled, “Club Wheat,” it is everything you ever wanted to know about the plant that sports the unique, compressed head. Most of the club wheat in the world is grown in a small area of Eastern Washington. In times of plenty, the wheat sells for the same price as its close cousin, soft white wheat. But when there’s not enough—like this year—a premium can make club the most expensive wheat in the nation. For instance, in mid-January, soft white was selling for between $6.40 and $6.80 a bushel in Portland while club wheat was selling for more than $10 a bushel. Japan is the main buyer of club wheat. The country receives it in a mixture with soft white wheat as a subclass called Western White. Usually, 20 percent club is blended into soft white, except when supplies get short. Then the Japanese reduce the blend to 10 percent. The last time WGC REPORTS that happened was in 2010, but it was only six months before they returned to the 20 percent blend. “It weakens the submarket class of club wheat. The main reason there is a club is its unique quality,” he said, adding that today, it’s only the Western White subclass that keeps the unique wheat being planted. The path that club wheat took to find its home in Eastern Washington is different from the one followed by other wheat types. Varieties like the venerable Turkey Red or Gold Coin, traveled westward with various waves of immigrants. Club wheat, however, followed a totally different route. Over his 39-year career Allan developed seven club varieties, but several are of special note. He brought clubs into the semidwarf age with his 1970 release, Paha. In 1982, he released Crew, the first multiline wheat variety ever developed in the U.S. consisting of 10, closely related wheat lines which provided durable resistance to stripe rust. His 1986 release, Tres, had the distinction of being the leading club variety from 1985 to 1989. Rely, a 1993 release and another multiline, was the leading club variety from 1996 to 2001. Although Allan’s list of achievements fills pages and club wheat serves as its centerpiece, he may be best loved and remembered by farmers for his soft white wheat, Madsen. The 1988 release, which was still grown on 46,000 acres in Washington in 2014, was the first soft white with strawbreaker foot rot resistance, a trait Allan was able to introgress from a wild wheat relative. Madsen and the several club wheat varieties Allan developed with the trait saved farmers millions in chemical costs and added millions to their bottom lines in yields. the west coast of South America, become the way station for club wheat? And why, of all places in the U.S. to establish itself, did it stick in an area with an epicenter of Almira, Wash.? The primary reason is simple, Allan said. Environment. Both Chile and much of the Northwest enjoy a Mediterranean climate. Club wheat development has been a focal part of breeding in Pullman since Jasper Spillman was crossing with clubs in the late 1800s. The reason he did, Allan said, was because many of the European wheats coming into the area weren’t as well adapted as Little Club out of Chile. Spillman’s homerun was Hybrid 128, a 1907 club variety release that was cold hardy, shatter resistant and had good standability. Its production peaked in 1919 with more than 100,000 acres planted. Over time, club wheat came to dominate production in Eastern Washington. When Allan arrived in Pullman in 1957, the only club wheat Vogel ever bred, Omar, a traditional-height club, dominated the state. In 1959, the year that the stripe rust epidemic devastated the crop, it was planted on 83 percent of the state’s acreage. Allan’s research shows that club wheat traveled from Spain to Chile in about 1529. In the 1860s, the wheat came north into California as the variety Little Club, then migrated to Oregon. Those wishing to buy Allan’s book can Were it not for Vogel’s deAllan said the unique wheat send a check for $35 to Robert Allan, 3202 velopment of a soft white made its way into the Columbia Old Moscow Rd., Pullman, Wash., 99163. semidwarf variety, club wheat Basin in both Washington and may have come back from the Oregon around 1868, where it devastating disease with newer, became one of the first wheats resistant varieties. As it hapgrown on the east side of the pened, however, Vogel’s soft white semidwarf release, Cascades. During a trip to Spain in the mid-1980s, Allan Gaines, was a much better yielder, and it had some stripe was able to confirm his belief in the Spanish connection, rust resistance, which was increased with the release of finding the occasional club head among the landrace Nugaines. varieties being grown in a field there. But why did Chile, one of the world’s longest countries sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes on WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION Its head may look odd, but the flour club wheat grinds is beautiful. Essentially, it is a softer version of soft white. In years when soft white protein is high, the addition of club wheat can actually mitigate the higher protein’s effects. Allan believes club’s marketing advantages shouldn’t be messed with. Breeding soft white that’s more like a club or a club that’s more like a soft white is “giving away the farm.” Career standouts WL Club wheat acreage in Washington declined by more than 70 percent between 1959 and 1964. In 2014, just 7.5 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 53 WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION WL 54 WGC REPORTS percent of wheat acres in Washington were planted to club. Club wheat origins point to Hindu Kush Growers in the drier areas of the state experimented with Gaines and Nugaines when they were released, but found their semidwarf habit delayed them getting out of the ground. As a result, many farmers in the drier areas stayed with club wheat varieties which turn out to have other advantages besides quick emergence in a dry climate. Their stomates (plant pores) close more quickly under water stress than soft whites, helping avoid stress, and there are indications club tillers abort faster than soft common tillers, an advantage to the rest of the plant. Allan said it appears an area between Afghanistan and Pakistan was not only the origin of the club gene, but also the gene for the soft kernel characteristic in wheat. There is archeological evidence of club wheat being grown in Syria 9,000 years ago. Looking back over his nearly 60-year career at the center of club wheat, Allan smiles thinking of what might have happened to the freshly minted graduate student. “If I hadn’t gotten a wheat breeding job in Pullman, I don’t want to think about it,” he said. “The only other offer I had was as a weed scientist at Southern Illinois.” Although club wheat linage can be traced to Chile and thence to Spain, the actual origin of the compacted-head characteristic goes back further in history to the remote mountains of the Hindu Kush. While immigrants to the U.S. moved westward with their favorite types of wheat, broadening the crop’s genetic heritage along the way, there is no indication that club wheat types were introduced from anywhere but Chile. This circumstance, Allan said, has contributed to club wheat’s narrow genetic base. The characteristic for a club-type head relies on a single gene. Knock out that gene, and you’ve got what appears to be a conventional head, as a photo in Allan’s book, “Club Wheat,” makes clear. The extra softness of club wheat and its ease of milling made it a particular favorite of millers, and for a time, the most widely grown class in Washington. A field of club wheat in Creston, Wash. WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 WGC REPORTS WL World commodity requires world traveler By Randy Suess When you’re dealing with a world commodity like wheat, customer service involves travel—sometimes to the other side of the world—which is where I found myself in early December. Although South Africa is about as far away from my home outside of Colfax as you can get, the conference provided the perfect opportunity to “kill” many birds with one stone. That’s why the Washington Grain Commission sent me. Among the countries represented at the event, plenty were purchasers of soft white wheat in the past, including Egypt, Yemen, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. Iran, a major soft white buyer before their 1979 revolution, was also present. I spent a lot of time talking to as many of these individuals as possible, thanking them for past business and pro- viding them with Pacific Northwest Crop Quality Reports, a pile of which I brought along in my luggage. The report, for those who may not know, explains the quality and performance measures from our most recently completed harvest. The conference was held in the Cape Town International Convention Center, a huge facility that could easily hold several conferences at the same time. Alan Tracy, president of U.S. Wheat Associates (USW), gave one of the opening talks, challenging the IAOM attendees to adopt a new idea for the World WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION Cape Town, South Africa, was the location for the 25th anniversary of the International Association of Operative Millers, Mideast and Africa (IAOM MEA) district meeting. IAOM, founded in the U.S. in 1896, is now an international organization with meetings in different districts around the world each year. Comprised of flour millers and allied trade representatives, its purpose is to advance technology within the milling and seed processing industries. More than 100 exhibitors set up shop, and the 700 people who registered had to be housed in five different hotels. U.S. Wheat Associates has a strong presence at the International Association of Operative Millers, Mideast and Africa district meeting as shown in this portrait of the participants including their spouses. WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 55 WL WGC REPORTS WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION Trade Organization. Called the “Global Wheat Security Initiative,” the idea is for all countries to agree to no quotas, tariffs or state-trading enterprises for wheat, as well as the elimination of domestic subsidies. The best-attended sessions were where the major exporting countries gave their reports on crop quality and current conditions for the upcoming year. Presenters represented the U.S., Australia, Canada, France and the Black Sea region. A new one I wasn’t familiar with was the Baltic Sea area. A very high protein wheat is produced there because of the long length of their days during summer. Ian Flagg, the regional USW director from Casablanca, provided the U.S. report on all six classes of wheat. Even though the U.S. has a shorter crop than normal, he stressed the high quality of our classes. It was mentioned that soft white had higher protein than normal, but Flagg noted this would be acceptable for Middle East and Northern Africa uses. market was affecting world economies and wheat purchases. He predicted that crude would be selling for $40-$46 per barrel by 2016. For countries relying on oil to maintain their economies, this will be a devastating blow to their purchasing power. Basse also predicted China would be forced to become a major importer of wheat as the country shifts towards corn and soybean production. Mike Krueger from I visited with several Saudi guests who continue to the Money show an interest in soft white wheat. The country, which Farm gave his was once nearly self-sufficient in wheat, has been crankopinion that ing down its production since 2008 because of the crop’s the bull market demand on the Kingdom’s aquifer. By 2016, it will be was not dead. totally dependent on world supply for its wheat needs. Even with big Although the WGC has mainly been pursuing soft world wheat, white wheat’s blending attributes in the Latin American corn and market, it was gratifying to have the Saudis request soybean crops, a copy of our blending studies. USW Latin America he predicted Consultant Andrea Saturno, along with cereal chemist prices would Art Bettge, have been doing excellent work on blending, Bo-Kaap is a brightly colored Cape Town, South remain firm Africa, neighborhood where many descendants of and it’s gaining interest around the world. because of slaves brought to the region by the Dutch in the 17th emerging mar- century now live. The Cape Town USW office was only five blocks from kets, a demand my hotel, so I went over and visited with Ed Wiese, the for feed and the rising consumption regional vice president representing sub-Saharan Africa. Cape Town has a of wheat around the world. rich history, dating back to the Dutch East India Company which established Dan Basse, president and founder of Ag Resource, USA, gave a presentation on how the crude oil 56 The U.S. Wheat Associates’ office located in Cape Town, South Africa, oversees the entire subSaharan Africa region. At the office (from left) are Randy Suess; Ed Wiese, regional vice president, and his wife, Pamela, who serves as administrative assistant; Domenique Opperman, regional program and information systems coordinator; and Cathy Marais, financial accountant. WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 a settlement there in 1652. Until the British defeated them in 1806, the Dutch ruled the area for 150 years, and their presence is still reflected in the Dutch names used on roads and streets. WGC REPORTS WL Very little U.S. wheat actually gets to the sub-Saharan region of Africa. It is still a poor area which purchases quite a bit of flour. The exception is Nigeria, which is covered from the Cape Town office, and Wiese was extremely concerned about their purchasing power if the price of crude keeps falling. Given how much U.S. wheat Nigeria has purchased over the last few years, the loss of that market would hurt. On a positive note, Wiese believes Namibia, to the north of South Africa, will become an emerging market. Frankly, I’m hopeful that all of Africa will move up the economic ladder. Some of the statistics presented at the conference shows that happening as an emerging middle class grows throughout the region. Although the U.S. will probably get very little of this business, additional wheat disappearance, whatever the country, helps lower inventories and raise prices. WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION (Above) You can always count on Randy Suess, a Washington State University alum, to carry the institution’s flag wherever he goes around the world. Along with his wife, Laurie, he shows his colors at the Cape Town waterfront. In the background is Table Mountain. (Below) Penguins aren’t just an Antarctic phenomenon; they get around. Here, a colony makes its home near Simon’s Town on a peninsula of land south of Cape Town, South Africa. The wheat market has changed dramatically over the last two decades, with many of our former customers now receiving supplies from the Black Sea states. Nevertheless, I was gratified by the continued interest of those I spoke with in our high quality soft white. Not to mention, Yemen still puts its money where its mouth is, receiving 353,000 metric tons of soft white in the 2013/14 marketing year, ranking it fifth on our list of important customers. WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 57 WL WGC REPORTS Stresses take toll on spring wheat trials Drawing parallels between auto racing and wheat breeding WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION By Stephen Guy 58 Those of you who have met me at field days or other events probably wouldn’t suspect I have a need for speed, an ironic confession given my professional specialty which requires careful, slow and laborious analysis of wheat varieties. than its genetics. Ultimately, it is the management that provides the means for the genetics to be expressed in the crop’s performance. Finally, the environment determines how fast I can drive my car. The surface conditions of the track (rain, hot, cold) affects the car’s My passion for performance, just auto racing is about as precipitation, more than watchtemperature and ing. For the last Planting, surveying and harvesting Washington State University’s Variety Testing plots is slow soil type parallels seven years, I have business, which helps explain why Extension Agronomist Stephen Guy likes a hobby that’s a bit the environmental faster—like racing a vintage Formula Ford. Photo illustration by Vadim Jitkov. been competing in factors for growing a vintage Formula wheat. Building a high performance, genetically superior Ford car. Thinking recently about these two extremes in wheat cultivar and driving it with superior management my life, I came to the realization that racing is more simifor the environmental conditions present is ultimately lar to growing a spring wheat crop than it first appears. what goes into making a winning wheat yield. Consider the fact that my first decision about racing If you followed the racing analogy above, you’ll see was selecting a class of car. I decided on the vintage forthat variety selection is a fundamental and vital manmula Ford, but I could have just as easily selected a club agement component for successful and profitable crop Ford or modern formula Ford. I liken my selection of a production systems. Variety performance results showcar to a grower’s selection of the type of spring wheat ing performance differences are readily available from he’s going to grow: hard red, soft white or hard white the Washington State University (WSU) Variety Testing spring wheat. Program on the variety testing website at My decision also shaped where I would race. I race variety.wsu.edu/. They are also summarized in the with the vintage racing club SOVREN. Likewise, the Washington State Crop Improvement Association seed class of wheat a grower chooses shapes where his crop buying guides and are available on the Extension Small will be grown. Grains website at smallgrains.wsu.edu. There, you can So what about the genetics of a race car versus wheat also use the interactive variety selection tool to help pick varieties? The “DNA” of my vintage Ford comes down to out superior varieties based on the criteria of your choice. how the manufacturer built the car—its structure, which Spring wheat results from 2014 trials are presented in is not unlike how breeders build plants by manipulating Tables 1 and 2 as summaries across locations within four DNA to create the genotype of a variety that becomes rainfall zones. Management details, results from other the phenotype, or plant structure. In both cases, how years and multiyear summaries are available on the components interact, complement and work together websites listed above. determines the performance potential. A quick look at Tables 1 and 2 shows the proliferation But no car ever won a race sitting in the pits, and a of varieties available (only named varieties are included, wheat crop does not grow itself. Thus, the operation not numbered breeding lines). You may also notice that (driving) and preparation (management) determines some of the locations where spring wheat is tested were the car’s performance. Similarly, the farmer’s managenot included in the tables due to environmental probment of a wheat variety is just as or more important lems. Or, as farmers and race car drivers both call them, WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 WGC REPORTS Table 1. 2014 WSU Extension Spring Wheat Variety Trial Summary 1 Yield (Bu/A) Lb/Bu % WB9879CLP 726769 Glee-G2 746268 Glee (WA 8074) 75 59 67 Kelse 736066 SY605 CL 65 67 66 SY Steelhead 76 56 66 Glee-0W 745665 Hollis 705663 Jefferson 685863 WA 8166 (Alum) 70 55 62 Bullseye 645962 HRS 3361 62 60 61 LCS-Buck Pronto 64 58 61 SAS 4B 68 52 60 WB-Fuzion 635660 SAS W4 70 49 59 Scarlet 615458 HRS 3419 62 52 57 LCS-Atomo 956279 LCS-Star (08SB0658-B)846374 UI-Platinum (IDO694C)83 60 71 WB-Hartline 796170 Dayn (WA 8123) 76 64 70 BR7030 705965 Otis 675260 Patwin 515 58 58 58 Svevo 405045 Soft Svevo 35 51 43 Average 695964 LSD (0.10) 7 5 4 Club Wheat 57.7 57.0 56.6 55.7 58.6 57.8 57.1 55.3 56.1 54.6 56.9 54.9 56.1 49.8 56.0 49.1 54.4 51.5 54.1 52.1 55.8 54.0 56.1 56.0 54.2 53.1 58.3 56.6 55.4 1.0 14.4 13.6 13.7 15.3 15.5 15.6 13.8 16.0 14.5 14.7 15.8 15.1 15.5 15.6 14.6 15.0 14.9 16.9 13.4 14.6 13.7 15.3 13.2 13.7 14.6 15.6 15.3 16.3 14.7 0.8 SOFT White Hard REd SPRING 11.3 11.2 11.0 11.0 13.0 11.5 11.3 12.2 12.0 11.4 11.5 11.0 12.7 11.5 11.7 11.4 0.6 Hard WHITE SPRING SOFT White DURUM Hard WHITE SPRING Hard REd SPRING 93 6880 57.4 84 7177 55.8 83 7277 57.1 826976 57.2 78 72 75 57.3 74 75 74 57.1 75 7072 57.1 76 6771 56.9 70 6869 58.8 71 6367 57.1 70 5964 55.4 71 5864 56.5 67 6264 54.8 69 5763 55.9 70 5161 55.7 76 6772 56.9 5 7 4 0.8 Diva Louise Nick Louise-G2 Whit WB6341 Louise-0W Alpowa JD1 Zak WA 8162 (Seahawk) Alturas Babe UI-Stone (IDO599) WB-1035CL+ Average LSD (0.10) DAYTON PLAZA REARDAN ST. JOHN AVERAGE AVERAGE TEST WEIGHT AVERAGE PROTEIN Variety -----Yield (Bu/A)----- Lb/Bu 41 85377359 58.6 45 76306454 57.3 45 71336052 58.9 44 70316452 57.1 42 74365752 58.0 44 70335951 58.0 42 70306251 56.6 42 69316151 58.0 42 69286150 59.2 39 68276650 57.1 42 68 31 56 49 58.7 39 67325749 57.4 39 71325449 59.0 40 67 33 55 49 58.3 35 66334946 58.2 42 72325951 58.0 2 5442 0.5 -----Yield (Bu/A)----- Lb/Bu SAS W4 46 78 28 59 53 50.6 Glee-0W 47 76295752 59.4 Glee-G2 42 76315852 59.4 SAS 4B 48 67 26 58 50 50.6 Glee (WA 8074) 40 76 29 54 50 59.6 Jefferson 41 70285849 59.3 SY Steelhead 45 67 28 51 48 59.4 Kelse 42 69255347 58.7 WA 8166 (Alum) 42 62 28 57 47 58.4 Scarlet 35 71255647 57.0 Bullseye 41 76274147 60.2 HRS 3419 42 66265146 55.8 Hollis 40 64295246 58.7 WB9879CLP 42 62265145 58.2 LCS-Buck Pronto 40 68 25 48 45 58.4 WB-Fuzion 42 64274745 58.7 HRS 3361 44 62 23 48 44 57.5 SY605 CL 34 63 30 40 42 59.9 WB-Hartline 44 78306354 57.8 LCS-Atomo 46 73335451 59.2 BR7030 42 74285951 59.2 LCS-Star (08SB0658-B)44 70285649 57.9 Dayn (WA 8123) 39 70 34 51 49 58.6 Otis 33 68256347 58.2 UI-Platinum (IDO694C)47 62 36 44 47 60.2 Patwin 515 37 58 25 45 41 56.6 Svevo 34 62132333 58.1 Soft Svevo 25 57 15 23 30 58.2 Average 41 68275247 58.0 LSD (0.10) 5 5352 0.6 % 12.3 12.3 12.9 12.8 12.7 11.8 12.8 12.6 13.0 13.6 12.7 12.3 12.5 12.2 14.0 12.6 0.2 % 14.8 14.5 14.4 15.0 14.5 14.8 15.7 15.7 15.2 15.0 15.1 15.1 15.4 15.7 15.9 15.4 15.6 16.2 14.9 13.7 14.2 14.4 14.3 14.1 13.9 15.0 15.7 15.6 15.0 0.3 wrecks. Pullman and Mayview were lost to hail, and Walla Walla and Almira results were compromised by disease(s) and lack of available water that produced atypical results. The general tough spring growing conditions in 2014 also reduced overall yields compared to recent years. Such stresses were manifest in yield and low test weights at many locations. Some varieties were affected more than others, thus these results are especially valuable when considering future growing conditions with limited available water and other environmental challenges, including diseases. On the other hand, problems like stripe rust were almost nonexistent during 2014, unlike some recent years. Also, the wireworm assessment, based on the different amounts of insecticide treatment applied to Louise and Glee seed did not show consistent results, unlike some previous years. It is likely that other performance limitations masked the wireworm effects. WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION Whit WB6341 Nick Babe WA 8162 (Seahawk) UI-Stone (IDO599) Diva WB-1035CL+ JD1 Alpowa Louise Alturas Zak Louise-G2 Louise-0W Average LSD (0.10) Yield (Bu/A) Lb/Bu % DURUM Variety Precipitation Zone=16”-20” FAIRFIELD FARMINGTON AVERAGE AVERAGE TEST WEIGHT AVERAGE PROTEIN Precipitation Zone=>20” WL Because there were 28 hard spring wheat varieties and 15 soft wheat varieties tested in 2014, it is a daunting task to pick the best variety for each growing condition (especially when we don’t know what 2015 has in store for growing conditions). Yield is a primary consideration when selecting varieties, but grain test weight, proWHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 59 WGC REPORTS Scientific assistants Vadim Jitkov and Mary Lauver helped with the preparation of these articles. 60 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 1 39 4241 60.3 39 4039 60.3 36 4239 60.9 36 3636 59.9 33 3735 60.0 31 3734 59.9 34 3334 59.7 32 3333 59.7 30 3532 59.9 29 3432 59.9 28 3532 58.8 31 3232 60.0 293231 60.3 28 29 29 59.7 23 33 28 61.2 32 3533 60.0 4 4 3 0.4 13.2 13.7 13.6 12.4 13.2 12.5 12.8 13.7 13.6 14.7 14.6 13.9 14.0 13.8 13.0 13.4 0.4 Yield (Bu/A) Lb/Bu % SAS W4 40 31 36 53.3 SAS 4B 35 32 33 51.7 Glee-G2 2631 29 60.1 WA 8166 (Alum) 26 31 29 60.2 Hollis 2630 28 59.9 SY Steelhead 27 28 27 60.3 Glee (WA 8074) 27 27 27 59.9 Jefferson 2231 27 59.5 Glee-0W 2527 26 60.1 WB9879CLP 2526 26 58.1 Kelse 2127 24 59.4 HRS 3361 19 27 23 57.2 Scarlet 2026 23 57.9 HRS 3419 23 22 22 56.6 LCS-Buck Pronto 20 24 22 59.0 WB-Fuzion 2023 22 59.0 Bullseye 162520 61.1 SY605 CL 16 23 20 59.7 WB-Hartline 3334 34 58.6 Otis 2630 28 60.1 BR7030 2827 28 59.7 LCS-Atomo 3024 27 59.7 Dayn (WA 8123) 26 26 26 59.2 Patwin 515 20 26 23 57.5 LCS-Star (08SB0658-B)2124 23 59.6 UI-Platinum (IDO694C)24 22 23 60.6 Svevo 61410 57.2 Soft Svevo 7 10 8 57.1 Average 2426 25 58.7 LSD (0.10) 3 3 2 0.3 Club Wheat 14.7 15.3 15.7 15.9 15.6 16.3 15.9 16.3 15.7 16.7 17.0 16.3 16.2 16.2 16.8 16.6 16.5 17.1 16.3 14.8 15.6 14.9 15.7 16.5 15.1 14.9 16.2 15.9 16.0 0.5 SOFT White Yield (Bu/A) Lb/Bu % Hard REd SPRING Louise Nick Diva WB6341 Louise-G2 Louise-0W Alturas Whit Babe WB-1035CL+ Zak Alpowa JD1 WA 8162 (Seahawk) UI-Stone (IDO599) Average LSD (0.10) Diva WB6341 Nick JD1 Louise-G2 Zak Louise Louise-0W Alpowa Whit WA 8162 (Seahawk) Alturas UI-Stone (IDO599) Babe WB-1035CL+ Average LSD (0.10) LIND AVERAGE AVERAGE TEST WEIGHT AVERAGE PROTEIN HORSE HEAVEN BICKLETON CONNELL Variety Hard WHITE SPRING SOFT White ENDICOTT LAMONT AVERAGE AVERAGE TEST WEIGHT AVERAGE PROTEIN Variety Precipitation Zone=<12” DURUM Acknowledgements: The WSU Extension Uniform Cereal Variety Testing program trials are made possible by the contribution of land and time from farmer cooperators where the trials are located, and cooperators at the WSU research units at Pullman and Lind. Partnerships with research scientists from both the public and private sectors are a key element to make this program successful. Funding was provided by the Washington Grain Commission, WSU Extension, WSU Agricultural Research Center, WSU Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Washington State Crop Improvement Association and private companies. Precipitation Zone=12”-16” Hard REd SPRING Information about most of these characteristics is on the variety testing websites and can be used as criteria in the variety selection tool. Just as knowing the parameters of my vintage Ford racer helps me pass the competition, so too knowing and using objective variety performance information can help farmers take the checkered flag in their specific crop production system. Table 2. 2014 WSU Extension Spring Wheat Variety Trial Summary Hard WHITE SPRING WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION tein and end-use quality, along with plant disease resistance, maturity, lodging tendency, height and emergence are also important. DURUM WL -----Yield (Bu/A)----- Lb/Bu 18 26223024 61.4 21 24222623 60.5 20 24222623 60.9 19 23222623 62.2 15 25212822 59.8 19 23242322 60.8 16 25192722 60.1 15 25222522 60.3 19 23222322 61.4 20 21212421 60.1 20 20 23 23 21 61.2 17 22192521 60.0 19 21 18 25 21 62.2 19 21192320 61.2 16 21192320 60.5 19 23212522 60.9 2 2221 0.5 -----Yield (Bu/A)----- Lb/Bu SAS W4 17 25222622 54.5 SAS 4B 17 21 20 26 21 53.7 SY Steelhead 19 20222020 61.6 Kelse 18 20212120 61.6 Bullseye 18 18241920 62.8 WA 8166 (Alum) 15 19 22 23 20 61.8 Glee-0W 20 17222120 62.3 Glee-G2 16 18212320 62.0 WB9879CLP 17 20212020 60.5 Glee (WA 8074) 18 18 22 19 19 62.2 HRS 3419 18 20 20 19 19 59.2 Jefferson 17 19202019 61.5 SY605 CL 15 20202019 61.8 Hollis 15 19202019 61.2 HRS 3361 20 16211619 61.1 WB-Fuzion 17 18191918 61.3 Scarlet 16 18211818 60.2 LCS-Buck Pronto 15 17 19 18 17 61.1 LCS-Atomo 21 19242221 62.0 LCS-Star (08SB0658-B)20 19232020 60.9 BR7030 18 22222020 61.6 UI-Platinum (IDO694C)18 19 22 22 20 62.5 WB-Hartline 20 19231920 60.9 Otis 13 19222119 61.7 Dayn (WA 8123) 13 19 20 20 18 61.5 Patwin 515 18 16191818 60.2 Svevo 15 7 151413 61.4 Soft Svevo 13 8 14 14 12 61.0 Average 17 19212019 60.8 LSD (0.10) 2 2221 0.5 % 12.1 12.4 13.3 12.6 12.8 13.8 12.4 12.7 12.7 12.7 12.6 12.1 12.6 13.1 14.2 12.7 0.2 % 14.6 15.4 16.0 15.7 15.1 15.1 14.9 15.0 15.9 15.0 15.2 15.5 16.0 15.5 15.7 16.0 15.6 16.4 13.7 14.7 15.2 13.8 15.6 14.8 15.0 15.2 16.0 16.0 15.2 0.3 WGC REPORTS WL Champion, Lenetah finish on top in barley trials should also be factored into rotation decisions. By Stephen Guy Barley helps a following wheat crop by leaving straw that breaks down, progressively releasing nutrients, providing a disease and insect pest break and allows for different weed control options. Grown in diversified rotations, good barley varieties can make a higher-profit production system. There are many new varieties of barley (Table 3) for farmers to choose from, both from private companies and Washington State University, providing excellent options for growers in 2015. Just as 2014 was a tough year for spring wheat, it was also for growing barley. As a result, four locations were not used in the summaries: Mayview due to hail, and Almira, Reardan and Walla Walla due to disease(s) and lack of available water that produced atypical results. Some of the new varieties listed have only been tested in 2014 with limited locations, and thus should be tried at most on a limited basis. However, the current dominant acreage varieties, Champion and Lenetah, did come through as top performers this year. More information is available on barley variety performance on the websites and in the variety selection tool. Yield is the primary consideration when selecting barley varieties, but disease resistance, maturity, lodging tendency, plant height, emergence, test weight, grain plumpness, protein and end-use quality are also important. Information about some of those are in Table 3; other characteristics are on the variety testing website at variety.wsu.edu/ and the small grains website at smallgrains.wsu.edu/, including the variety selection tool. Barley acreage was on an upward trend after 2010, but slid back this year. I was hoping barley acreage would continue to expand because the crop provides such a good rotational benefit to following wheat crops, often making it a more profitable cropping system overall. When considering growing barley, the current year crop value is important, of course, but long-term benefits With informed variety selection, growers have the potential to profit from growing barley while creating an economic cropping system. Table 3. 2014 WSU Extension Spring Barley Variety Trial Summary 1 Champion 4390512046704730 52.9 Lenetah 4050565039404540 51.4 LCS-Genie 4470447046404530 51.3 LCS-Odyssey 4130447046504420 50.0 RWA 1758 3980 4590 4440 4340 51.7 Bob 3440478046104280 52.2 Lyon (05WA-316.K) 3900 5130 3790 4270 50.9 LCS-Overture 3550507041204250 49.0 LCS-Vespa (LCS LN09-0920)3420457047004230 50.0 Muir (07WA-601.6) 3240 5100 4150 4160 50.8 CDC Copeland 3700 4690 4050 4150 49.9 Tradition2 3300516038204090 51.6 LCS-Lamari 3700419041304010 51.5 Baronesse 3380446041704000 50.4 Salute 3460430042003990 50.7 CDC Meredith 3810410038103910 49.0 Harrington 3660431035703850 49.3 AC Metcalfe 3620 3950 3800 3790 51.4 Meresse1 2820338033703190 53.6 Average 3620433040103990 51.3 LSD (.10) 460 510 390 260 0.9 Hulless 2 Six row % 12.6 12.2 12.0 11.8 13.4 13.5 12.3 12.2 12.9 13.5 12.3 12.7 12.8 13.1 14.4 13.0 14.1 14.1 15.5 13.3 0.5 AVERAGE TEST WEIGHT AVERAGE PROTEIN AVERAGE ST. JOHN ---------Yield (Bu/A)--------- Lb/Bu LAMONT AVERAGE Variety Variety DAYTON AVERAGE TEST WEIGHT AVERAGE PROTEIN PULLMAN Precipitation Zone=<20” FAIRFIELD FARMINGTON Precipitation Zone=>20” ---------Yield (Bu/A)--------- Lb/Bu Champion 3750223048203600 53.0 LCS-Odyssey 3300275047603600 51.6 Lenetah 3620255045603580 52.1 Muir (07WA-601.6) 3380 2580 4630 3530 51.0 CDC Meredith 3250 2390 4830 3490 50.2 RWA 1758 3430 2640 4360 3480 51.6 CDC Copeland 3170 2040 4990 3400 49.9 Bob 3440235043303380 52.3 LCS-Genie 3260228046103380 51.6 Baronesse 3280227045103350 50.6 LCS-Overture 3380212044803330 51.0 LCS-Vespa (LCS LN09-0920)3600190044003300 51.0 Lyon (05WA-316.K) 2870 2250 4620 3250 51.5 LCS-Lamari 2900212042103080 52.3 Salute 3130181039502960 50.9 Harrington 2860189038002850 50.9 AC Metcalfe 2650 1820 3760 2740 51.8 Tradition2 2420169033202480 50.9 Meresse1 2740132032602440 53.7 Average 3110206042203130 51.8 LSD (.10) 300 290 340 180 0.5 % 12.4 12.5 12.3 12.9 12.4 12.8 12.9 13.1 12.4 13.1 12.6 12.8 13.3 12.8 13.9 13.4 14.2 13.7 15.4 13.5 0.4 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION When selecting barley varieties or any variety, evaluate as much performance information as possible. When comparing variety performance, the LSD statistic is useful to determine if values are significantly different. An LSD of 0.10 provides 90 percent confidence that a difference between two values is valid and not due to chance. 61 WHEAT WATCH WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION Near-term challenges ahead By T. Randall Fortenbery WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released several wheat-related reports on Jan. 12. Unfortunately, none of them were particularly good news for wheat markets through the rest of the current marketing year. While the news looks a little better for the 2015/16 crop, the remainder of the 2014/15 marketing year will continue to provide pricing challenges. USDA did raise their forecast of the national average market year price for 2014/15 wheat by 10 cents per bushel. This was largely based on improved wheat prices in early and mid-December. Even with the increase, however, prices are projected to remain well below those of last year and will barely break the $6 per bushel level. From the holidays through late January, wheat prices steadily declined, so a slight correction downward would not be surprising in the February report. However, the national average price reported by USDA is weighted by sales, so if there have been few farmer sales over the last few weeks, a significant revision is not likely. Despite both beginning stocks (the wheat we had on hand on June 1, 2014) and 2014 production being significantly lower than last year, USDA estimated total wheat Figure 1: U.S. Wheat Stocks on Dec. 1 1,200,000 1,000,000 1,000 bushels 800,000 600,000 400,000 200,000 0 On-farm storage Off-farm storage 2013 62 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 2014 stocks on hand on Dec. 1 (the end of the second quarter of the marketing year) actually exceeded stocks for the same period last marketing year by about 3 percent. Interestingly, commercial holdings were down relative to a year ago, while farmer-held stocks were up about 19 percent (See Figure 1). Total stocks exceeded 1.5 billion bushels, or almost 55 percent of the total 2014/15 supply. Dec. 1 stocks in 2013 represented less than 49 percent of the total marketing year supply for 2013/14. Washington differs significantly from the U.S. relative to wheat holdings. As of Dec. 1, 2014, Washington producers were estimated to have about 7.3 million bushels of wheat stored on farm compared to 8.8 million on Dec. 1, 2013. That represents a reduction of about 17 percent. Commercial storage of Washington wheat was also well below last year at 81.9 million bushels—a reduction of close to 19 percent. In aggregate, Washington wheat storage is down almost 18.5 percent on a year-over-year basis. This suggests Washington farmers might have been more aggressive in selling wheat over the first half of the marketing year compared to other wheat farmers. This appears consistent with earlier years. Figure 2 shows the percentage of the wheat supply sold each month for the last four crop years. It compares Washington sales with national sales. Note that beginning in August, Washington producers generally market a larger percentage of their wheat each month when compared to the national marketing pace. Washington entered the marketing year with 31.2 million of bushels of wheat in storage. Total Washington wheat production in 2014 was 108.5 million bushels (a reduction of more than 25 percent compared to 2013), resulting in a total supply for the 2014/15 marketing year of 139.7 million bushels. Based on the Dec. 1 stocks figure, Washington producers and commercials sold 50.5 million bushels through the first two quarters of the marketing year, or 36 percent of total supply. However, farmers only held 550,000 bushels of the 31.2 million brought into the marketing year. Combining that with production (108.5 million bushels) and then comparing that to current on-farm storage suggests that producers have sold about 92 percent of the total 2014/15 supply that they controlled. A similar calculation for the U.S. indicates that wheat farmers across the country have only sold 78 WHEAT WATCH 20.00% 15.00% 10.00% 5.00% JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY 0.00% 2010/2011 2011/2012 2012/2013 Washington Percent of Wheat Sold 2013/2014 National Percent of Wheat Sold Figure 3: Weekly U.S. wheat exports 1,400,000 1,200,000 1,000,000 800,000 600,000 400,000 200,000 2012/13 2013/14 May Apr Mar Feb Jan Dec Nov Oct Sept Aug 0 July If exports do not pick up, and actual exports match the current 29 percent reduction relative to last year, the final export number will be closer to 835 million bushels. If nothing else changes, this would add another 90 million bushels to the final carryout number. Figure 3 shows weekly exports of U.S. wheat this year compared to the previous two years. We are clearly behind relative to last year, but until early January were close to the pace of 2012/13. That year, exports ended up totaling just more than 1 billion bushels. Notice, however, that the export pace really accelerated after January. One challenge in repeating the same pattern this year is the value of the U.S. dollar. The dollar index (the value of the U.S. dollar 25.00% June Export activity through early January suggests the carryout estimate may need to be increased again. USDA left their export estimate for 2014/15 unchanged from their December forecast at 925 million bushels. However, through Jan. 1 (which represents 60 percent of the marketing year), exports were running about 29 percent below year-ago levels. USDA’s forecast represents a reduction of only 21 percent relative to year-ago exports. 30.00% WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION Based on reduced demand expectations, the U.S. ending stocks projection for 2014/15 was increased to 687 million bushels in the January World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE). The December forecast was for a carryout of 654 million bushels. The current forecast represents an increase of more than 16 percent relative to last year’s carryout. Demand reductions came primarily from the feed and residual-use category, with a small reduction also reported for wheat seed demand. Figure 2: Percent of the wheat crop sold by month metric tons percent of the supply they held in the 2104/15 marketing year. WL 2014/15 indexed to six major currencies) is about 12.5 percent more expensive than it was on Feb. 1, 2013. This will make it more difficult to experience the export increase we saw in the spring of 2013. Based on the USDA stocks report, it appears Washington farmers have sold most of last year’s crop and any inventory they brought into the 2014/15 marketing year. For those who have not yet sold, be prepared for challenging times over the next couple of months. Watch the weekly export numbers. If they do not start to improve very soon recognize that additional returns to storage may be limited through the balance of this crop year. Randy Fortenbery holds the Thomas B. Mick Endowed Chair in Grain Economics at Washington State University. He received his Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign. WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 63 WL FEATURE Tracing a tool’s timeline How did farmers go from manually cutting, gathering and threshing wheat to modern combines? If you’ve ever watched a modern combine harvest a field of wheat, you’ll quickly recognize that it’s a miracle of mechanization, saving farmers hundreds of hours of back breaking, rough and often dangerous work. But how did we go from harvesting two acres a day by hand to harvesting more than 100 acres a day with a machine that does everything? Before the early 1800s, grain was cut using hand tools, usually a sickle or scythe. The grain was gathered, or reaped, and threshed by hand or trampled by horses to separate the grain and straw. The straw was removed, usually with a pitchfork, and the grain was winnowed to separate it from the chaff and dirt. In the 1820s, hand- or horse-powered threshers were introduced. One of the most popular was a hand-cranked model invented by New Englander Joseph Pope. Grain still had to be cut and gathered by hand, run through the thresher and cleaned to remove the chaff and dirt. At the same time, reaping was also being mechanized, with horse-drawn reapers able to clean 14 to 15 acres a day. Companies such as Case, McCormick, Holt and From wikipedia.org John Deere continued to innovate and improve harvesting machinery, and eventually, the header and thresher system came to dominate the 1800s, especially in the west. Photo courtesy of the private collection of Della Evans and the Whitman County Rural Heritage project In 1938, the Barr operation was farming the Nolan, Daggett, Harvey and Wood Gulch farms. They used this bigger Rumley combine with 32 horses (four leaders and four groups of seven). It took five men to run the machine (a skinner, a sewer, a jig, a tender and a combine man). Photographer unknown. (WCLRW073, washingtonruralheritage.org) Headers generally consisted of a wide cutter bar and reel that cut the grain and knocked it back onto the draper, a canvas belt that moved the cut grain into a nearby wagon. Headers were originally pushed through the field from the back by horses in order to keep the crop from being trampled. Early headers could cut approximately 30 acres a day. Once the grain had been cut and gathered, it was moved to another machine, the thresher. At first, threshers were powered by horses walking in a circle; steam engines would eventually take over. These threshers were able to quickly separate wheat kernels from the straw and chaff. The clean kernels would be gathered and sown into burlap sacks. By the late 1800s, implement companies were beginning to manufacture machines that combined the header and thresher functions, giving rising to the first “combines.” Pulled by up to 40 horses or mules and needing a crew of about 6 men, combines could harvest 40 acres a day. In most cases, the horses pulled the combine from in front of the thresher portion of the machine, with the header attached to the side of the thresher. By the 1930s, horses and mules had been mostly replaced by gas- and dieselpowered tractors. In turn, those pull-type combines would evolve to become today’s modern, all-in-one combines. 64 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 2014 John Deere T670 Combine AgVentures NW THE GENETICS COMPANY THAT BRINGS YOU Quality Green Peas, Yellow Peas, Forage Oats & Grain Triticale Varieties Bulk or Retail Seed Sales: In-Dirt or Clean Treated with Dividend Extreme (custom treatments available) Hard White Spring Wheat Certified BR7030 Certified Otis Certified Dayn Soft White Spring Wheat Certified Diva Certified Louise WB 1035 CL Spring Barley Certified Champion Hay Barley Certified Lenetah Dark Northern Spring SY605 CL Certified Glee Certified Steelhead We recommend our WSCIA Certified Seed! FORAGE OATS + Everleaf® Oats + ProLeaf™ Oats GRAIN TRITICALE + TriMark™ Varieties HIGH QUALITY GREEN PEAS + Aragorn + Pacifica + Ariel + Greenwood + Ginny + Banner WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR GROWERS AND DEALERS! 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WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 65 WL FEATURE Notable dates in combine history: 1826 Scottish inventor Patrick Bell invented a reaping machine that was pushed by horses. 1833 A U.S. patent was issued to Obed Hussey of Ohio for a reaping machine similar to Bell’s. 1834 Cyrus McCormick is issued a patent for a mechanical reaper that could cut 10 acres a day. Along with his brothers, McCormick would go on to develop the International Harvester Company. 1836In Michigan, Hiram Moore patents the first combine to reap, harvest and thresh grain. His machine was 17 feet long, 15 feet wide and needed 20 horses to pull it. While Moore’s machine would inspire later inventors, it eventually proved too big and cumbersome and was abandoned. An 1851 illustration showing two horses pushing a Bell reaper. Illustration by George Heriot Swanston. Photo from wikipedia.org 1869 J.I. Case and Company produces the first steam engine tractor. The tractor is wheel mounted but still drawn by horses and used only for belt power. 1876 Case builds the first self-propelled traction steam engine. 1886In California, George Stockton Berry builds the first selfpropelled combine. Powered with a steam engine that used straw to heat the boiler, this self-propelled combine could cut about 100 acres of grain a day. 1891 The Holt Manufacturing Company in California develops a leveling device for combines. 1902 Hart-Parr Company puts the first production tractor on the market. Hart-Parr was later absorbed by the Oliver Company. 1904 Holt Manufacturing Company develops the first successful crawler tractor that’s powered by steam. A crawler tractor powered by a gasoline engine comes two years later. 1905Idaho National Harvester Company out of Moscow, Idaho, begins manufacturing the “Idaho Harvester,” A page from “The Operation, Care and Repair of Farm Machinery,” Tenth Edition, a smaller, lighter combine specifically for the Palouse published in 1936 by John Deere, Moline, Ill. Photo from deere.com. region of Idaho and Washington. It could be operated by two men with four to eight horses. 1911 The Holt Manufacturing Company in Stockton, Calif., develops the first, entirely self-propelled, gasoline-powered combine grain harvester, the Caterpillar Harvester. 1925 Chicago’s International Harvester begins manufacturing tractorpulled combines. 1927 John Deere produces its first combine harvester, the John Deere No. 2, a tractor-pulled combine. 1938 Massey Harris develops the No. 20 self-propelled combine, followed by the No. 21 just a few years later. 1946In Washington, Raymond Hanson patents an automatic leveling system that uses mercury switches. 1947 66 John Deere introduces its first self-propelled combine, the model 55. WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 The MH-20 manufactured by Massey Harris in 1938. Photo from masseyferguson.us. Equipment Bibliography Turbo-Max® Now available in 35’ & 40’ Seeding and Tillage widths, in addition to 12’, 15’, 18’,Equipment 24’ and 30’ wikipedia.org HistoryLink.org, Essay 10222 by Christopher Wiley Harvest Heritage. Agricultural Origins and Heirloom Crops of the Pacific Northwest by Richard D. Scheuerman and Alexander C. McGregor. Washington State University Press 2013 Then and Now: 125 Years of Dryland Wheat Farming in the Inland Pacific Northwest by William F. Schillinger and Robert I. Papendick. Published May 2008 A Revolution Down on the Farm: The Transformation of American Agriculture Since 1929 by Paul Conkin. University Press of Kentucky. Published Sept. 2008 livinghistoryfarm.org • 7.5” blade spacing, offsetting gangs • Gang angles adjust from 0º to 6º on-the-go • Unmatched seedbed preparation Turbo-Max Turbo-Max®® Vertical Tillage Taken To The Now available in 35’ & 40’ Next Level! fromto12 ft.15’, widths, inSizes addition 12’, 18’, to 24’40and 30’ wide ft. wide. Turbo-Till® • 7.5” 7.5” blade blade spacing, spacing, offsetting offsetting gangs gangs • • Gang Gang angles angles adjust adjust from from oº 0º to to 6º 6º on-the-go on-the-go • 3S-4000 HD 40' Min-Till Drill • Unmatched Unmatched seedbed preparation • seedbed preparation Turbo-Chisel Turbo-Till® ® 2N-3010 Drill 3S-4000 HD30’ 40'No-Till Min-Till Drill ® Turbo-Chisel Flex Harrow 2N-3010 30’ No-Till Drill 3S-4010 HD 40’ No-Till Drill HANDLE BULK SEED THE EASY WAY 7000 Series Disc Harrow Maintenance Free Bearings! 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New 50-Foot Min-Till New 50-Foot Min-Till Drill! •Cover More Acres Efficiently With 50’ Width • Regular or Heavy Duty Models Odessa, — 509-982-2644 • Regular orWA Heavy Duty Models • HD Models Feature Constant Hydraulic • HD Models Feature Constant CENTRAL MACHINERY SALES Down Pressure Down Pressure Hydraulic Moses Lake, WA — 509-765-1257 •Superior flexibility and Narrow Transport • Superior Flexibility and Narrow Transport • Cover More Acres Efficiently With INC. 50’ Width WALTER IMPLEMENT, Easy-on-off with one pin Fast efficient handling of bulk Remote controlled hydraulic motor Spring assisted lift for easy operations Long reach 6” auger and 14.5’ telescoping spout 509.535.1177 3905. E. Boone boone Ave Ave 3905 E. Spokane, Spokane, WA 99202 NwGrainAugers.com NwGrainAugers.com CENTRAL MACHINERY SALES Pasco, WA — 509-547-8920 CENTRAL MACHINERY SALES Sunnyside, WA — 509-837-3833 3S-5000HDF 50’ 50’ Min-Till Drill 3S-5000HD Min-Till Drill MORROW COUNTY GRAIN GROWERS FARM & HOME SUPPLY Wasco, ORGreat — 800-824-7185 Pomeroy, WA — 509-843-3395 For these implements and many more, contact your local Plains dealer. MORROW COUNTY GRAIN GROWERS WALTER IMPLEMENT, INC. Lexington, OR — 800-452-7396 Odessa, WA — 509-982-2644 FARM EQUIPMENT HEADQUARTERS CENTRAL MACHINERY SALES Pendleton, OR — 541-276-6222 Pasco, WA — 509-547-8920 CENTRAL MACHINERY SALES CENTRAL MACHINERY SALES Pomeroy, WA — 509-843-3395 FARM & HOME SUPPLY MORROW COUNTY GRAIN GROWERS Wasco, OR — 800-824-7185 MORROW COUNTY GRAIN GROWERS Lexington, OR — 800-452-7396 FARM EQUIPMENT HEADQUARTERS Pendleton, OR — 541-276-6222 Moses Lake, WA — 509-765-1257 Sunnyside, WA — 509-837-3833 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 67 THE BOTTOM LINE Uncovering hidden estate taxes in your estate By Paul D. Fitzpatrick Attorney, K&L Gates LLP You have worked hard to build your estate. You have a comfortable home. Your farm land, equipment and related buildings and storage bins are debt free. You enjoy a vacation home. You have a taxdeferred retirement fund and some life insurance. You have read that, as of Jan. 1, 2015, the federal exclusion from estate tax is $5,430,000 per person ($10,860,000 per couple). You believe your estate is not likely to be exposed to an estate tax. Are you aware that Washington state has a standalone estate tax that is NOT governed by the federal statutes? The Washington estate tax exclusion is only $2,054,000 per person ($4,108,000 per couple), with a limited deduction for 1) property used in farming (RCW 83.100.046) and 2) qualified, family-owned business interests, if owned by you (RCW 83.100.050). To determine if your estate has estate tax exposure, you have to know your assets, their true value and your liabilities. What is the value of Sponsored by the Agricultural Marketing & Management Organization. For more information and a schedule of classes visit www.lcammo.org. WASHINGTON ESTATE TAX: The Applicable Exclusion Amount in 2015 is $2,054,000 per person. An estate must exceed this amount to be taxable. For example, if the total estate value is $2,554,000, the Washington taxable estate is $500,000 ($2,554,000 minus $2,054,000). If Washington The amount Of Washington taxable estate of tax equals taxable estate value is at least But less than initial tax amount Plus tax rate % greater than $0 $1,000,000 $0 10.00% $0 $1,000,000 $2,000,000 $100,000 14.00% $1,000,000 $2,000,000 $3,000,000 $240,000 15.00% $2,000,000 $3,000,000 $4,000,000 $390,000 16.00% $3,000,000 $4,000,000 $6,000,000 $550,000 18.00% $4,000,000 $6,000,000 $7,000,000 $910,000 19.00% $6,000,000 $7,000,000 $9,000,000 $1,100,000 19.50% $7,000,000 $9,000,000 $1,490,000 20.00% $9,000,000 your tillable acreage? Your open space/pasture land? Your timbered acreage? What are the accessibility and risks of your nonbusiness investments? What is the face (not cash) value of your life insurance policies? First you should look at your current estate, business and succession plan and the documentation that will implement it. Who is to succeed you in your business? How do you address nonbusiness family members? Do you have an appropriate tax-minimization trust in place? Who have you designated to see that your plan is carried out? What is your creditor and risk exposure? Does your business have unique risks? Any one or more of these can wreak havoc on even the most well-intended plan. You cannot anticipate that your family will properly implement your plan. This may mean unnecessary estate tax exposure. Next you need to develop a strategy. At a minimum, you need to review and update your: • Business succession plan; • Financial and real estate durable powers of attorney; • Health care durable powers of attorney with a health care directive; and • Estate and gift tax documentation. Another option to consider would be gifting a portion of your estate since Washington does not have a gift tax. While gifts can be advantageous, you must consider the implications of the carry-over basis of gifted assets. The highest Washington estate tax rate is 20 percent but does not apply until your Washington taxable estate exceeds $9 million. Federal capital gains taxes are 15 to 20 percent for most taxpayers, plus the 3.8 percent Net Investment Income Tax (Medicare surtax). Depending on the structure of your business, discounting for lack of marketability and a minority interest for estate tax purposes may not have the long-term benefit it once had. The unused portion of the federal estate tax exemption may be transferred to your spouse (often referred to as “portability”) without a tax-minimization trust. This should be a last option. While new federal statutes allow a deceased spouse to transfer any unused estate tax exemption to the surviving spouse, it 68 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 THE BOTTOM LINE REQUIRES that an election be made! Should the election be made? With a young couple it could be very advantageous, but maybe not with a much older couple. If the return costs $1,500-$2,500 to prepare, is it worthwhile if it preserves a federal estate tax exemption currently worth $5,430,000? Washington does not recognize portability of the first spouse’s Washington estate tax exemption to the surviving spouse. To effectively utilize the Washington estate exemption, it is best to have access to a tax-minimization trust. WL The only people who pay estate tax are the ones who choose not to use the current laws to preserve their family legacy and assure that the next generation can keep moving forward without estate tax obligations. Paul D. Fitzpatrick has more than 35 years of legal practice in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. He has worked with families to preserve and transition assets and businesses to successive generations. He is an accredited estate planner with the National Association of Estate Planning Councils and can be reached at (509) 624-2100 or at [email protected]. Knowledge • Experience • Dedication GO WITH THE EXPERTS! 5026 ROTARY CUTTER Hydraulic phasing cylinders for level lift Spring steel bushings at all major pivots 15’, 26’, 30’ & 42’ Models 1000 RPM heavy-duty dive line Suspension for center & wing frames (Left to right) Blaine Bickelhaupt, Miriam Grant and Mark Grant NOT Your Average Real Estate Team! Blaine Bickelhaupt Miriam Grant Licensed in WA Licensed in WA and ID 509-520-5280 509-520-5220 509-520-1906 Licensed in WA and ID RS320 ROCK PICKER 3.2 Cubic yard hopper Superior rock picking performance SRW 1400 ROCK WINDROWER Mark Grant Our wheat farming heritage goes back 5 generations! Blaine has wheat farming experience and more than 20 years working in ag real estate, providing an impressive knowledge and skills set. Miriam, a licensed real estate broker in Washington, offers real estate experience, professionalism and the ability to create a bridge of trust and cooperation between buyers and sellers. Mark’s experience includes years with NW Farm Credit, giving him an excellent understanding of ag finance and farm programs. 509-382-2020 View our farm listings at www.bluemountainrealtors.com WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 69 Your wheat life... (Right) Rhys Trappe, 3, races a combine driven by Lucas Engel at Wisota Farms/Engel Farms in Oakesdale. Photo by David Trappe (Below) Harvesting barley in August on R&K Farms east of Edwall. Photo by Kurtis Klein (Left) The sun sets on the Kile/ Dickerson harvest near St. John. Photo by Gracie Dickerson (Below) Kellan Lassman, 2, is excited to be in the field with his grandpa, Tom Zwainz, in Reardan. Photo by Tom Zwainz Retirement calls these two lifelong farmers, Bob Clements (l) and Dick Osborne, at the end of the 2014 wheat harvest at Clements/JBS Farms. Photo by Jacque Clements An August storm moves in over the Reardan area. Photo by Joel Zwainz HAPPENINGS All dates and times are subject to change. Please verify event before heading out. February 2015 3-5 Spokane Ag Expo. More than 250 agriculture suppliers and service companies all under one roof. Held at the Spokane Convention Center. agshow.org 10 WAWG Board Meeting. Meeting starts at 10 a.m. at Washington Wheat Foundation Building, Ritzville, Wash. (509) 659-0610, wawg.org 10 Beginning and advanced QuickBooks. Morning session will cover beginning QuickBooks, while afternoon session will cover advanced QuickBooks. Red Lion in Pasco, Wash. Preregister by phone at (877) 740-2666 or email [email protected]. More information at lcammo.org 11 Beginning and advanced 18-19 Washington Grain Commission Research Review. Event begins at 2:30 p.m. on day one, and 8 a.m. on day two, at the Residence Inn, NE North Fairway Road in Pullman, Wash. For more information and to RSVP, contact Mary Palmer Sullivan at (509) 456-2481 or [email protected] 19 Marketing in the Top Third. AMMO workshop featuring Mark Gold, managing partner with Top Third Ag Marketing in Chicago. Northern Quest Resort and Casino in Airway Heights, Wash. Preregister by phone at (877) 740-2666 or email [email protected]. More information at lcammo.org 21 Women in Agriculture Conference. Making sense of mar- keting, presented by Washington State University Extension. Registration information is available at womeninag.wsu.edu QuickBooks. Morning session will 24 Crop Insurance, Price Risk and 18 Marketing in the Top Third. featuring Dr. Art Barnaby, a Kansas State University professor of ag economics. Davenport Community Center in Davenport, Wash. Preregister by phone at (877) 740-2666 or email [email protected]. More information at lcammo.org cover beginning QuickBooks, while afternoon session will cover advanced QuickBooks. Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake, Wash. Preregister by phone at (877) 740-2666 or email [email protected]. More info at lcammo.org AMMO workshop featuring Mark Gold, managing partner with Top Third Ag Marketing in Chicago. Red Lion in Pasco, Wash. Preregister by phone at (877) 740-2666 or email [email protected]. More information at lcammo.org Commodity Programs Under the New Farm Bill. AMMO workshop 25 Crop Insurance, Price Risk and Commodity Programs Under the New Farm Bill. AMMO workshop featuring Dr. Art Barnaby, a Kansas State University professor of ag economics. Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake, Wash. Preregister by phone at (877) 740-2666 or email [email protected]. More information at lcammo.org March 2015 1 Sausage Feed. All you can eat from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Menu includes homemade sausage, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, green beans, roll, applesauce, pie and beverage. Beer garden. Uniontown Community Center, Uniontown, Wash. uniontown.us/activities_events.html 6-8 Spring Arts and Crafts Show. Features 300 artists and crafters from across the U.S. Spokane Fair and Expo Center, Spokane, Wash. custershows.com 10 WAWG Board Meeting. Meeting starts at 10 a.m. at Washington Wheat Foundation Building, Ritzville, Wash. (509) 659-0610, wawg.org 18-19 Washington Grain Commission Meeting. Spokane, Wash. (509) 456-2481 23-24 Wheat College 2015. Presented by Neal Kinsey, owner of Kinsey Agricultural Services. Program runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days at the Marcus Whitman Hotel in Walla Walla, Wash. Admission is free, and lunch is included. Please RSVP by March 10 to the Washington Association of Wheat Growers at (509) 659-0610. 28-29 Plowing Bee. Olmstead Place State Park between Ellensburg and Kittitas. parks.wa.gov/556/Olmstead-Place “A story of agriculture will be told. It would be better if it were told by you.” — Jerry McReynolds, past president of the National Association of Wheat Growers 72 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 www.edwardjones.com WHEAT GROWERS: Taking Control Of Your Legacy SPRING SEED FOR SALE We Can Custom Clean And Treat Your Seed Many people think estate planning is only for the wealthy. But the fact is most everyone can benefit from some sort of estate strategy to help ensure the things most important to them–Family, Financial Assets, Property and Charities–are taken care of according to their wishes. CLASS 8 TRUCKS We believe the key components of a successful estate strategy include: 521 N. EASTERN • SPOKANE, WA (509) 534-9088 • [email protected] PLAN FOR THE EXPECTED PREPARE FOR THE UNEXPECTED POSITION YOUR PORTFOLIO FOR BOTH It’s important that we work with your professional team, including your estate planning attorney and tax professional to help you through this process. Edward Jones, it’s employees and financial advisors are not estate planners and cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your estate planning attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation. To learn more about why Edward Jones makes sense for you, call or visit today. Powers Ranches Inc. is in beautiful Klickitat County near Bickleton. Terry A. Sliger Financial Advisor 1329 Aaron Drive Richland, WA 99352 509-943-2920 888-943-2920 Ryan Brault CFP ® Financial Advisor 3616 W. Court St. Ste. I Pasco, WA 99301 509-545-8121 888-545-8126 Brian E. Bailey AAMS ® Financial Advisor 303 Bridge Street Ste 3 Clarkston, WA 99403 509-758-8731 866-758-9595 Chris Grover AAMS ® Financial Advisor 1835 First Street Cheney, WA 99004 509-235-4920 866-235-4920 Joy Behen Financial Advisor 6115 Burden Blvd., Ste. A Pasco, WA 99301 509-542-1626 877-542-1626 They came and picked up their truck on a very cold day, about 10 degrees, but their hearts were warmed by a hot deal on their dream truck! Thank you, Powers Ranches Inc. . Larry Kopczynski Financial Advisor 2501 17th Street Lewiston, ID 83501 208-798-4732 866-798-4732 IRT-1848A-A Greg Bloom Financial Advisor Hank Worden Financial Advisor Professional Mall I I 109 S. Second Ave 1260 SE Bishop Blvd. Ste. C Walla Walla, WA 99362 Pullman, WA 99163 509-529-9900 509-332-1564 800-964-3558 Shown here are Lance and his dad, Mitch. Along with Bob and Nathan, they enjoy raising alfalfa, wheat and cattle and watching the Blue Bird migration through the Horse Heaven Hills country! Jay Mlazgar AAMS ® Financial Advisor 609 S. Washington Ste. 203 Moscow, ID 83843 208-882-1234 Member SIPC Marc B. Lange (509) 991-9088 Scott Lund (509) 995-5024 Butch Johnson (509) 990-3153 NOT JUST TRUCKS, TRAILERS TOO! www.class8trucksales.com WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 73 Advertiser Index Ag Enterprise Supply Inc . . . . . . . . . 44 AgriPro Seed-Syngenta. . . . . . . . . . . 31 AGPRO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Ag Trucks & Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . 43 AgVentures NW. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 ATI Solutions LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Barber Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Battery Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Black Rock Agriprises. . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Blue Mountain Realtors. . . . . . . . . . . 69 Butch Booker Auction. . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Byrnes Oil Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Central Wash. Grain Growers. . . . . 34 CHS Connell Grain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Class 8 Trucks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 CO Energy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Columbia River Carbonates. . . . . . . 42 Cooperative Ag Producers Inc . . . . 25 Country Financial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Custom Seed Conditioning. . . . . . . 29 Diesel & Machine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Dow AgroSciences-PowerFlex. . . . 13 Edward Jones. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Evergreen Implement Inc. . . . . . . . . 36 Farm & Home Supply. . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Great Plains Equipment Group. . . . 67 Heartland Capital Funding Inc. . . . 44 Helena Chemical-Stand . . . . . . . . . . 29 HUB International. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 J & M Fabrication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Jones Truck & Implement Inc. . . . . 37 Kincaid Real Estate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Landmark Native Seed . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Les Schwab Tire Centers. . . . . . . . . . 15 Limagrain Cereal Seeds. . . . . . . . . . . 76 Micro-Ag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Northern Quest Resort & Casino. . 19 NW Farm Credit Services . . . . . . . . . 35 NW Farmland Management . . . . . . 31 ORO-Agri. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 PNW Farmers Cooperative. . . . . . . . 27 Perkins & Zlatich PS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Pioneer West Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Pomeroy Grain Growers Inc. . . . . . . 74 ProGene LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 RH Machine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Rain & Hail Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Rainier Seeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Rock Steel Structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Royal Organics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Scales NW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Seedmaster Drills-Kevin Klein. . . . . 41 Spectrum Crop Development . . . . 34 Spray Center Electronics. . . . . . . . . . 39 SS Equipment Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 State National Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 T & S Sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Tri-State Seed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Walter Implement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 WestBred-Monsanto . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Wilbur-Ellis-Puric Max. . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Wilson Creek Union Warehouse. . . 73 Windermere Coeur d’Alene Realty Inc. . . . . . . 21 Wolf Trax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Yara North America-Amidas. . . . . . 17 POMEROY GRAIN GROWERS Serving farmers for over 80 years Pomeroy Grain Growers, Inc. Pomeroy Grain Office 877-291-4660 Pomeroy Agronomy 509-843-1394 Farm Commodities-Colfax 800-424-5056 74 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2015 YIELD POTENTIAL TEST WEIGHT • PROTEIN MILLING/BAKING QUALITY STANDABILITY • YELLOW (STRIPE) RUST • MATURITY • PLANT HEIGHT TAN SPOT • LEAF RUST • BARLEY YELLOW DWARF WHEAT STEM SAWFLY SAWFL • STRAWBREAKER FOOT ROT • WINTER HARDINESS SEPTORIA LEAF BLOTCH • FUSARIUM HEAD BLIGHT (SCAB) • CEPHLASPORIUM STRIPE We breed for that. No matter the region, the pest or the situation, WestBred wheat, with access to Monsanto breeding ® technology, has a seed bred to help maximize your acres. WestBred.com • (800) 705-2309 Seeds. Solutions. Success. Monsanto and Vine Design , WestBred and Design and WestBred are registered trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. ©2014 Monsanto Company. MWEST-14058 ® ® ® Upgrade Your Cereal Portfolio UI Stone LCS Vespa LCS Genie Solid as a Rock! Class Leading Yield Potential The Genie is in the Bottle SOFT WHITE SPRING WHEAT 2-ROW FEED BARLEY 2-ROW MALTING BARLEY LCS Star LCS Atomo Buck Pronto The Brightest Wheat in the Firmament Wheat Superhero Yield, Protein, Profit... PRONTO! HARD WHITE SPRING WHEAT HARD WHITE SPRING WHEAT HARD RED SPRING WHEAT Maximize your returns with LCS varieties. Contact: E [email protected] P (970) 498-2201 Limagrain Cereal Seeds W E P LimagrainCerealSeeds.com [email protected] (970) 498-2200