General

wheat field

It takes teamwork

By Anthony Smith
President, Washington Association of Wheat Growers

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

By Guest Author Daniel Moore

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

By Guest Author Izabella Myers

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

By Kevin Gaffney
For Wheat Life

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

By Guest Author Samantha Holling

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

By Kevin Gaffney
For Wheat Life

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…

wheat field

Weathering Mother Nature’s whims

By Anthony Smith
President, Washington Association of Wheat Growers

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…

Seasons of farming: Spring

By Trista Crossley
Editor

After a winter spent mostly indoors attending meetings, doing paperwork, or servicing equipment, farmers are usually eager to resume fieldwork. But what are those machines out in the field actually doing? In Eastern Washington, spring comes first in the south. Wheat farmers in Benton and Franklin counties will be out…

wheat field

Pesticide Perspectives

By Guest Author Jennifer Ferrero

Wheat fields in Washington can be home to many insects, weeds, and diseases. Producing quality food crops requires intervention. Many factors are at play in the realm of safety for humans and the environment, including using insecticides, herbicides, or fungicides. In this article, we refer to all these types of…

wheat field

Crop advisor Q&A

By Trista Crossley
Editor

Sam Kimmell has been a crop advisor with The McGregor Company for nine years. He typically works with about 30 farms every year, helping them make planting and crop input decisions. He grew up on a farm in North Idaho, but after high school, joined the Navy. He and his…

From selling the future to farming with it
By Jeff Malone
President, Washington Association of Wheat Growers
Tips for surviving a difficult farm economy
By Kameron Schultz
CPA, Leffel, Otis & Warwick, P.S.
Grower involvement matters
By Jeff Malone
President, Washington Association of Wheat Growers