Posts by Guest Author
Countervailing duties harm growers
Fertilizer costs are one among many rising input costs for farmers. While fertilizer is a key budget item for all farmers, fertilizer costs are especially critical for wheat growers. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) cost-of-production projections for the 2026-27 marketing year, published in December before the current conflict in the Middle East skyrocketed…
Read MoreCookies opened conversations
Traveling to the state’s capital for Olympia Days was a truly incredible experience, and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to engage with so many different people and be a voice for Washington wheat growers. Although I enjoyed my entire trip to Olympia, what stood out the most to me were the…
Read MoreCommodity wages: Purpose, IRS treatment, risks
In agriculture, cash isn’t always the most practical way to pay employees. Many farm operations are asset-rich but cash-tight at certain points in the year. That is where commodity wages come in — a unique compensation method that can offer tax advantages when done correctly but also brings risks if not handled properly. Understanding commodity…
Read MoreReflections on Olympia Days
Getting to experience Olympia Days and everything that it brought forth was an experience that was not only personally eye-opening, but also one that made me all the more proud to come from a community that champions agriculture. It was really rewarding to see how a group of farmers and people with farming backgrounds came…
Read MoreTaking the long view
When William Jasper Spillman began applying Mendel’s Laws of genetics and inheritance to wheat improvement in the 1890s, he set in motion a tradition of agricultural research that has defined Pacific Northwest farming ever since. By 1958, the industry’s needs — for new varieties, tools, practices, and education — had grown beyond what universities, the…
Read MoreLet’s make a marketing plan (Part 2)
This article continues our marketing plan discussion from the February 2026 issue of Wheat Life. The next step in making a marketing plan is to form a market outlook. It is hard to do this objectively because our natural inclination is one of hope — for higher prices — but hope is not part of…
Read MoreThe Catch (Part 2)
Editor’s Note: Part 1 of “The Catch” ran in the February 2026 issue of Wheat Life. That last day of harvest was marked by the cutting of the border between the families’ two fields. It was very early in the morning, earlier than usual, when Buck fired up his combine and started cutting, without even…
Read MoreThe Catch, Part 1
“Slow down, son. We want to get there in one piece,” John said to his grandson. “But Gramps, I’m barely going the speed limit,” replied Tommy, the driver of the old Buick. “We are getting close, and I don’t want to miss any of the sights,” John replied. “Johnny, nothing has changed here in 60…
Read MoreLet’s make a marketing plan, Part 1
The articles that I’ve been writing this past year have all been leading up to this one — making a marketing plan (broken into two parts). I’ve covered the basic principles and some of the marketing tools that you need to understand and know how to use. The first thing we should do is establish…
Read MoreThe next chapter: Planning for retirement
You have a unique vision for your retirement. Whatever that vision is, proactive planning is the first step toward helping bring it to life. Unfortunately, more than half of adults feel they’re behind on retirement planning. The truth is, the sooner you start planning and saving for your retirement, the better. Envisioning your retirement lifestyle…
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