General
Seasons of farming: Summer/Fall
Nine, maybe 10 months ago, Eastern Washington farmers planted their winter wheat crop. Now they’ll find out if they’ll be able to recoup their investment. Winter wheat, which was planted the previous fall, ripens first, followed by spring wheat. Combines started hitting the fields in Benton and Franklin counties in…
Export Q&A
More than 85% of Washington’s wheat is destined for overseas markets, such as Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines, where it will be made into noodles, cakes, and cookies. But how does the grain get from farmers’ fields to consumers’ plates half a world away? Companies, such as United Grain Corporation,…
Speeding along the rails
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…
It takes teamwork
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,…
The Flour Power Blues
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…
Legislative work is anything but routine
In January, I traveled to Olympia with the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG). I had the opportunity to meet with legislators to discuss the current agricultural issues of 2024. During this trip, I had the opportunity to engage with legislators, see some of the process, and gain a deeper…
Montana native handles multiple duties
It was an unusual route taken by Scott Steinbacher to becoming eastern regional manager of the Grain Inspection and Warehouse Audit program manager for the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). Based in Spokane, Steinbacher joined the WSDA in 2011. His previous employment had been in the high-end hospitality industry….
Trip shines light on legislative process
In January, I was given the opportunity to accompany the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) to Olympia where we lobbied for our wheat farmers at the state level. Throughout this trip, I was able to meet and converse with legislators, have an in-person experience on how our government operates,…
Retirement leads seed dealer to new business venture
Most Washington Association of Wheat Growers’ (WAWG) past presidents from the 1980s are now at least semiretired. Not Dana Herron, who served from 1986-87. A native of Connell, Wash., Herron grew up in a farm family founded by his grandfather in 1896 near Kahlotus. Herron’s brother, Chris, still farms that…
Weathering Mother Nature’s whims
Here we are in April! Spring wheat planting and weed control in fallow and winter wheat crops are moving along across the Horse Heaven Hills. I wanted to talk about the good and the bad of weather, and how it affects wheat crops. Farmers already know this, but it may…
