Posts by Trista Crossley
A foundation to grow on
Washington wheat is known all over the world for its quality and keeping that quality high is due, in large part, to growers like Derek Schafer, who’s been growing registered and certified seed for more than 20 years. Schafer, who farms outside of Ritzville, Wash., said he uses approximately 20% of his acreage to grow…
Read MoreDrone-based business flies high on possibilities
Down in the Tri-Cities, Kurt and Melody Beckley are confident growers will see the possibilities their new drone-based business, Altitude Agri Services, offers. “I find I’m anticipating that moment when more growers see what the drones are capable of doing, and they want to embrace them and take advantage of the services we can provide,”…
Read MoreContext is key to grower success
In agronomy, context is key. That was the message growers heard from Ted Labun at the 2023 Wheat College last month in Colfax, Wash. Labun is the owner of TLC Agronomics Inc., a consulting company based in Calgary, Alberta, that works with producers to grow successful crops by incorporating best agronomic and management practices. He…
Read MoreHorse Heaven
Every year, during the second full weekend in June, Bickleton, Wash., is overrun with horses, but only some of them are real. Tucked away on the west end of the Horse Heaven Hills in eastern Klickitat County, Bickleton, population 90, features an impressive list of gems: it hosts one of the state’s oldest rodeos; is…
Read MoreGIS specialist maps a 37-year career
Mapping Dwaine Schettler’s 37-year career with the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is relatively straightforward; it’s the side trails that are unexpected. Schettler is a program specialist at the Washington state FSA office, focusing on geographic information systems (GIS) and compliance. He was born and raised in Waterville, Wash., and graduated from Spokane Community College with…
Read MoreRising interest rates uncover investment opportunities
While it may be hard to find the bright side of rising interest rates — just ask a Washington wheat farmer who’s already dealing with high input costs — there are investment opportunities to be found. According to Jordan Thayer, a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley, banks may charge more for loans, but they will…
Read MorePain at the pump
Most Washingtonians are feeling some pain at the pump, but many growers are seeing red, as their on-farm fuel bills are costing thousands more than they should. The culprit is legislation, passed in 2021 and put into action in January 2023, that promised to exempt fuel used on the farm and in transporting farm products…
Read MoreUpdate on carbon markets
Pacific Northwest (PNW) dryland wheat growers often feel like square pegs trying to fit round holes when it comes to programs designed with Midwest farmers in mind. That’s still the case with carbon credit programs. Even as the carbon credit landscape continues to develop, opportunities for Eastern Washington farmers remain limited. Shannon Neibergs, director of…
Read MoreCarbon market options
To date, most carbon market programs are based on Midwest data and target Midwest growers and growing conditions, but there are a couple open to Pacific Northwest growers. (Please note, the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (and Wheat Life) does not promote or recommend any program over another and presents this information to help keep…
Read MoreDouglas County CRP issue uncovered
Producers in Douglas County have been notified about an issue with approximately 150 general Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) 2022 sign-ups. Fortunately, Jon Wyss, Farm Service Agency (FSA) Washington state executive director, was ready with a fix, which he told producers about during a phone call last month. “We at the office missed some critical documents…
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