At the end of June, a group of Columbia-Snake River System stakeholders returned from a tour down the Mississippi River impressed with the need for collaboration among all U.S. river systems and a reminder of how much of the nation’s commerce relies on these river highways. “While there are many…
In June, Wheat Life had the opportunity to take a 144-mile speeder car ride along the Snake River, from Lewiston, Idaho, to Riparia, Wash., with local members of NARCOA, the North American Railcar Operators Association. NARCOA is a nonprofit group dedicated to the preservation and the safe, legal operation of…
I love wheat farming, but when I’m having a bad day, there’s a lot not to love, too. I don’t think of myself as a successful wheat farmer, but I guess I am if I’m still running the farm operation. I know it takes a lot of hard work, discussions,…
A major trend in American agriculture will be the acceleration of estate and transition planning. The transfer of wealth will also be a high priority item for the general population as $68 trillion of assets and equity will transfer between 2025 to 2040. With many elderly in the demographics, the…
Workday is starting,Dark morning hues.In my truck mumblingThe flour power blues. Farm’s name is D.E.T.Initials? Would be nice.But here’s another thought:I “Do Everything Twice!” Wheat is very tough,But coffee talk will flow.Nine or ten crop failuresBefore we’ll really know. If a tree falls in the forest,Does it make a sound?If…
Last month, Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) Past President Andy Juris joined a roomful of agricultural stakeholders to examine how the regulatory burden affects Washington state farms. Juris participated on a panel at the 2024 Washington State Agricultural Viability Conference in Kennewick, Wash. The Washington State Department of Agriculture…
At the 2024 Wheat College, Ray Archuleta had a message for growers that was both hopeful and a warning. “Agriculture can heal the planet by itself without changing anything else. I believe agriculture is the answer for the future,” he said. “Regenerative agriculture is not for everyone. I’m going to…
With harvest right around the corner, local officials are asking growers to be aware of load limits on county bridges when they are moving equipment. Bridges without a load limit sign typically have a weight limit of 80,000 pounds or 40 tons. “Just be careful what you drive your big…
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, agriculture is responsible for approximately 10% of the U.S.’s greenhouse gas emissions. A Swiss company plans to reduce that footprint by building a zero-carbon nitrate fertilizer plant at the Port of Benton in Richland, Wash. Atlas Agro has its roots in the fertilizer industry….
Benton County, where I farm, has changed dramatically in the past few decades, with no-till and minimal-till farming techniques replacing conventional tillage on many dryland wheat farms. The days of big dust storms caused by soil blowing off fields, thankfully, are past. But how did we get here? It’s mostly…
