HEAT IFE MAY Address Service Requested. The official publication of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers

Transcription

1 W L HEAT IFE The official publication of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers MAY 2017 IN THIS ISSUE: Managing the time, costs of farm labor Liberty High School FFA team tackles falling numbers 2016 white winter wheat variety trials results Douglas County farmer jumps into no-till pool Washington Association of Wheat Growers 109 East First Avenue, Ritzville, WA Address Service Requested

2 W L HEAT IFE Volume 60 Number 05 The official publication of WASHINGTON ASSOCIATION OF WHEAT GROWERS 109 East First Avenue Ritzville, WA (509) (877) WAWG MEMBERSHIP (509) (877) $125 per year EDITOR Trista Crossley editor@wawg.org (435) AD SALES MANAGER Kevin Gaffney KevinGaffney@mac.com (509) GRAPHIC DESIGN Devin Taylor Trista Crossley AD BILLING Michelle Hennings michelle@wawg.org (509) (877) CIRCULATION Address changes, extra copies, subscriptions Chauna Carlson chauna@wawg.org (509) (877) Subscriptions are $50 per year WAWG EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Michelle Hennings WAWG EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE PRESIDENT Ben Adams Coulee City VICE PRESIDENT Marci Green Fairfield SECRETARY/TREASURER Jeffrey Shawver Connell PRESIDENT EMERITUS Kevin Klein Edwall APPOINTED MEMBERS Andy Juris Bickleton Howard McDonald Coulee City Ryan Poe Hartline Wheat Life (ISSN ) is published by the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG): 109 E. First Avenue Ritzville, WA Eleven issues per year with a combined August/ September issue. Standard (A) postage paid at Ritzville, Wash., and additional entry offices. Contents of this publication may not be reprinted without permission. Advertising in Wheat Life does not indicate endorsement of an organization, product or political candidate by WAWG. President s Perspective DNR bill is a win for agriculture By Ben Adams When it comes to legislation that impacts our industry, you quickly learn that sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. I m proud to say, that thanks to a united effort from the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG), Benton County farmers, Senators Judy Warnick (R-Moses Lake) and Sharon Brown (R-Kennewick) and other local and state officials, we can put a check mark squarely in the win column. Several weeks ago, a bill that increases the amount of advance notice the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is required to give farmers when terminating a lease early passed both the House and Senate. On April 19, Gov. Jay Inslee signed the bill. I hope this will bring some closure to those Benton County dryland farmers who had their leases abruptly terminated last summer. According to the language in the current DNR leases, DNR has the right to terminate any lease with 60 days written notice if they have a higher and better use plan for that land. With only 60 days notice, that means farmers who have crops planted might be unable to harvest them, and it can leave farmers in the lurch for thousands of dollars invested in equipment or inputs, such as seed or fertilizer. This new bill extends the notification time to at least 180 days. It s not perfect we would have liked to see DNR required to compensate growers if a lease is terminated early but it s a step in the right direction. To get to this point took hours of time and effort, but it proves that when people get involved, we can be effective. Growers in Benton County took the time to meet with DNR. They called their county commissioners and state officials. One of them, Chad Smith, went to Olympia to testify in front of the Senate ag committee about the effects this issue has had on his farm and livelihood. The farmers, encouraged by Tony Smith and Nicole Berg, both WAWG leaders and Benton County farmers, reached out to the association for help, and our lobbyist, Diana Carlen, took the time to research DNR s contracts and offered advice and guidance. WAWG needs to give special thanks to Sen. Warnick and Sen. Brown. They were instrumental in getting DNR to sit down at the table with these growers and agreeing to some compensation in this case. Both senators took this issue to heart and fought hard to craft a bill that provides more protection to farmers leasing DNR land. We appreciate their work and their understanding of how precarious farming can be as a way to make a living. Speaking of precarious, this spring has driven that point home. I don t know about you, but I ve got my equipment ready and waiting to go, but the fields are still so wet that I m weeks behind schedule. I m hearing that complaint from across Eastern Washington. I m also hearing concerns about final planting dates. WAWG sent a letter to the Risk Management Agency asking them to push the final planting dates back by 10 days, but that request was denied. You can read more about RMA s response on page 8. I know those dates are there for a reason, but it can be frustrating when the delays are out of our control. Last month I asked you to send us pictures of stuck equipment, and you answered. See those pictures on page 24. As frustrating as a tractor buried up to its axles in mud can be, sometimes all you can do is throw up your hands and laugh, followed by a call to a neighbor for help. Cover photo: Spring has finally sprung! Winter wheat fields along the Pasco Kahlotus Road in Franklin County. All photos are Shutterstock images or taken by Wheat Life staff unless otherwise noted. 2 WHEAT LIFE MAY 2017

3 WAWG President s Perspective 2 Membership Form 4 WAWG at Work 6 Policy Matters 12 Building a Foundation 18 AMMO report Managing the time, costs of farm labor 20 Done stuck good When mud meets machine 24 Falling numbers #1 Liberty FFA ag team explores issue 26 Falling numbers #2 An update by Alex McGregor 30 Black gold Clinic plants ideas regarding soil health 34 Profiles Ed Driskill, Albaugh LLC 38 WGC Chairman s Column 43 WGC Review 44 Results are in 2016 white winter wheat variety trials 46 Wheat Watch 52 No-tilling in dry Douglas County Douglas Poole is proving it can work 54 The Bottom Line 60 Your Wheat Life 62 Happenings 64 Advertiser Index 66 Inside This Issue The falling number method of testing is only going to hurt the farmers financially. It is a system of punishments for missing the mark rather than a system of rewards for those who strive for a better quality of wheat product. We need to create a testing and storage system that can segregate wheat as it arrives at the elevator. Contributors Ben Adams, president, Washington Association of Wheat Growers Mike Miller, chairman, Washington Grain Commission Scott A. Yates, communications director, Washington Grain Commission Kevin Gaffney, ad sales manager, Wheat Life Diana Carlen, lobbyist, Washington Association of Wheat Growers Alex McGregor, president, The McGregor Company Ryan Higginbotham, Extension specialist, Washington State University Mike Krueger, president and founder, The Money Farm Patrick Mazza, writer, Seattle, Wash. Paul Fitzpatrick, attorney, Foster Pepper LLC WHEAT LIFE MAY

4 WAWG MEMBERSHIP FORM Please check level of membership Name Student $75 Grower $125 Landlord $125 Family $200 (up to 2 members) Farm or Business Address City State Phone County Affiliation (if none, write state) Partnership $500 (up to 5 partners) Convention $600 Lifetime $2,500 Return this form with your check to: WAWG 109 East First Ave. Ritzville, WA Or call and use your credit card to enroll by phone. Zip Fax Circle all that apply: Producer Landlord Individual Industry Rep. Business Owner Student Other Thank you to our current members We fight every day to ensure that life on the family farm continues to prosper and grow. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT. If you are not a member, please consider joining today. LEVELS OF MEMBERSHIP Greensheet Newsletter Wheat Life Magazine National Wheat Grower Newsletter Annual Harvest Prints WAWG Convention Free Registration One Vote per Member Producer/Landowners (Voting Membership) Grower or Landlord $125 X X X X Family $200 (2 family members) X X X X Partnership $500 (1-5 family members) X X X X X Convention $600 (2 individuals) X X X X X Lifetime $2,500 (1 individual) X X X X X Non-Voting Membership Student $75 X X X WAWG s current top priorities are: Fighting mandatory carbon emissions regulations. Maintaining a safe and sound transportation system that includes rail, river and roads. More member benefits: Greensheet ALERTS WAWG updates Voice to WAWG through opinion surveys National Wheat Grower updates State and national legislative updates Preserving the ag tax preferences: Sales tax exemption on fertilizer and pesticides Ag wholesale B&O exemption Off-road fuel tax exemption Repair parts exemption Washington state continues to look for more revenue, and farmers tax exemptions are on the list. If these are important to your operation, join today and help us fight. Washington Association of Wheat Growers 109 East First Ave. Ritzville, WA (fax) Call or visit

5

6 WAWG WORK at ADVOCATING FOR THE WHEAT FARMERS OF EASTERN WASHINGTON Funding request made to House appropriations committee After months of planning and work, the wheat commissions and associations from Washington, Oregon and Idaho have formally submitted a request to the federal House appropriations committee for $1 million in funding to the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) to research a test for falling numbers (FN) and $2 million for Agriculture and Food Research Initiative grants to research FN impacts on crop quality. The letter reads, The three PNW state wheat commissions have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in FN research, however the magnitude of the crisis exceeds the available resources at the PNW universities, USDA-ARS and private companies to complete the research needed to address the knowledge gaps. Additional research expertise and capacity is needed. Included with the request is a letter of support signed by nine U.S. House members. Led by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), the other signees are Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.), Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.), Rep. Denny Heck (D-Wash.), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) and Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.). In their letter, the representatives say, We write to you to FRANKLIN COUNTY GROWERS MEET. At the Franklin County wheat growers meeting in April, growers reported that despite being about a month behind schedule due to extremely wet fields, they were finally making some progress in their spring field work, although several of them had recently discovered some rather large erosion holes. The group also discussed a proposed park management plan for Palouse Falls State Park. Many in the group are concerned about access to the park because the road is narrow, there is very little parking at the park and it is difficult for large campers and RVs to turn around. Some growers also reported having problems with pastures next to the road catching fire due to increased traffic. The Voluntary Stewardship Program and drilling of new wells were also discussed. The next Franklin County growers meeting is scheduled for May 4 in Connell. request your assistance and support to address a crisis facing our nation s wheat growers and end-users. Across the country, growers have detected high levels of degraded starch in their wheat crops which triggers a devastating loss of value for the crop. We request that the committee provide fiscal year (FY) 2018 funding for the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) to help identify the causes of this quality loss, as well as refine the test to detect crop damage. The wheat industry s national organizations, U.S. Wheat Associates and the National Association of Wheat Growers, also expressed support of the appropriations request in their own letters. Because falling numbers is a major issue across the Pacific Northwest, we felt it was important to present this request as a joint effort from all three states, said Michelle Hennings, Washington Association of Wheat Growers executive director. Understanding the causes and impacts of falling numbers and helping growers impacted by this quality issue is one of our top concerns. WAWG is also working on the Senate side of the appropriations process. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) has taken the lead for the wheat industry, and the association and its members thank her for all her time and effort. Because of the continued resolution process, the Senate hasn t set appropriation deadlines yet. WAWG is monitoring the Senate s timeline and will submit the funding request as soon as it s possible. 6 WHEAT LIFE MAY 2017

7 HEAVY-DUTY DRILLS 26' - 50' Min-Till Constant hydraulic down pressure optimizes seed placement Large main seed box capacity minimizes fills Offset opener blades with leading edge ensures clean cutting and easy penetration Seed tubes with trailing flap guides seed through the opener and ensures consistent depth SEEDING and TILLAGE EQUIPMENT TURBO-MAX with TURBO-SEEDER Vertical Tillage & Seeding In One Pass! Easy to install seeding attachment to Turbo-Max Plant cover crops or small grains while simultaneously vertically tilling soil and sizing residue Available for 850, 1000, 2400, 3000, and 3500 Turbo-Max Includes ladder and walkboard for safe access VERTICAL TILLAGE TOOLS PRECISION APPLICATION TOOLS CONVENTIONAL TILLAGE TOOLS 5' - 10' COMPACT DRILLS HEAVY-DUTY NO-TILL DRILLS 30' & 40' STACK-FOLD PLANTERS FINISHING TOOLS COMPACT DISKS VISIT YOUR LOCAL GREAT PLAINS DEALER OR GET MORE INFORMATION AT: FARM & HOME SUPPLY Pomeroy, WA WALTER IMPLEMENT, INC. Odessa, WA WASHINGTON TRACTOR, INC. Quincy, WA CENTRAL MACHINERY SALES Moses Lake, WA FARM EQUIPMENT HEADQUARTERS Pendleton, OR CENTRAL MACHINERY SALES Pasco, WA MORROW COUNTY GRAIN GROWERS Lexington, OR CENTRAL MACHINERY SALES Sunnyside, WA WASHINGTON TRACTOR, INC. Yakima, WA MORROW COUNTY GRAIN GROWERS Wasco, OR WASHINGTON TRACTOR, INC. Ellensburg, WA WHEAT LIFE MAY

8 WL WAWG AT WORK RMA denies request to move final planting dates Farmers throughout Eastern Washington are weeks behind schedule in their spring planting and field work because of the unusually high amount of precipitation the region has received so far this year. Because of the delay, some growers are in danger of missing their final planting dates and incurring a 1 percent reduction in their crop insurance guarantee for every day they plant late. Last month, Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) President Ben Adams sent letters to the Risk Management Agency s (RMA) Spokane Regional Office and the Kansas City Office requesting a 10-day extension of RMA s final plant date and suspension of the guarantee reduction during those 10 days. The request was denied by Richard Flournoy, RMA deputy administrator, who cited contractual agreements between RMA, producers and the Approved Insurance Providers (AIPs) as the reason those dates can t be moved. The final planting dates for crops are included in a producer s crop insurance policy with the AIP and were made available to producers before the sales closing date. As stated in the insurance policy, and in Federal regulations (7 C.F.R ), terms of the contract cannot be waived by any party. In addition, RMA cannot move the final planting date without violating its contract with the AIPs, the Standard Reinsurance Agreement (SRA). The SRA states that RMA reinsures policies in effect as of the contract change date. The wheat final planting dates in this case were agreed upon on June 30, 2016, the wheat contract change date. If RMA GREEN ON WHEAT. Marci Green, vice president of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers, spent two days in late March teaching approximately 500 fifth-grade students about wheat farming and what happens to the grain after it leaves the farm. The kids also played a game where they tried to guess which products don t contain any wheat in them. Booklets and pencils were handed out after each presentation. 8 WHEAT LIFE MAY 2017

9 ALBAUGH S COMMITMENT TO PERFORMANCE IS ON YOUR SEED The Albaugh Seed Treatment Team is committed to providing the seed industry and their growers, micro-climate customized seed treatment solutions based on sound research and proven in-field performance. Customized Seed Treatments by Micro-climate Custom Blend Combinations developed with Sound Science Proven Field Performance Albaugh s Goal is to Deliver Value: 1. Through customized seed treatment solutions driven by micro-climates and grower needs 2. With current and future pipeline of chemistries based on innovation and field performance 3. By bringing new & novel technology like BIOST VPH 100 and BIOST Insecticide 100 New proven biological chemistry enhancing seedling emergence, vigor and wireworm protection. Contact your local seed retailer for more information on Albaugh Seed Treatment Technology, BIOST VPH 100 or BIOST Insecticide 100. Refer to the product label for complete directions and instructions. BIOST is a trademark of Albaugh, LLC.

10 WL WAWG AT WORK were to move the dates, RMA would be violating its contract with the AIPs. Depending on their policy and location, producers can plant after the final planting dates for 10 to 25 days and incur that 1 percent per day insurance guarantee reduction, or they can claim prevented planting, which means they could receive up to 60 percent of their per acre production guarantee. Producers should contact their crop insurance agent to discuss their options. Current final plant dates range from April 15 to May 15 depending on geographic location. It is disappointing that RMA was unable to accommodate our request, said WAWG Executive Director Michelle Hennings. Growers are facing serious delays in getting their spring wheat planted due to no fault of their own. The Washington Association of Wheat Growers will continue to fight these issues on behalf of our farmers. WAWG members accept national committee seats The National Association of Wheat Growers has released their new committee assignments. Washington state will have input on the Environmental and Joint International Trade committees (WAWG President Ben Adams); the Domestic and Trade and Operations committees (WAWG Vice President Marci Green); and the Budget Committee (WAWG Past President Nicole Berg). Thank you to these WAWG leaders for representing Washington wheat on the national stage. Columbia River dredging, jetty rehab work continues From PNWA The Pacific Northwest Waterways Association (PNWA) is a collaboration of ports, businesses, public agencies and individuals who advocate and support navigation, energy, trade and economic development throughout the Pacific Northwest. Here are updates on some of the issues the association is monitoring: Lower Columbia River dredging. We haven t seen high flows like this since 2011 and As expected, surveys have started showing shoaling growth. One bit of good news is that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) started 2017 with the channel in great condition after advanced maintenance dredging last fall. Two federal hopper dredges, Yaquina and Essayons, spent time in April Receiving your ALERT? With their annual membership, Washington Association of Wheat Growers members can receive industry updates through the weekly digital Greensheet ALERT via . If you are not receiving this ALERT, there are two possible problems. Either we don t have your current address on file, or our ALERT is going into your spam folder. You can also call (509) to make sure we have your current address. dredging the highest priority shoals. The Corps received competitive bids for the hopper contract, and it should be awarded any time now. They are on schedule to have the contract hopper and Essayons in the Columbia River in June or July and the Yaquina in July or August, which should be the best timing to clear the channel after shoals develop during high flows but before they become an issue during low flows this fall and winter. Major rehab of the Mouth of the Columbia River jetties. We are pleased to report that work on Jetty A is nearly complete. The final stone for Jetty A was placed in January 2017, and site restoration work will begin this month, with the final completion anticipated for June or July. The North Jetty construction contract was advertised in late March, and a contractor is expected to be selected by the end of June. Although funding dependent, the Corps is anticipating that work on the North Jetty will be complete by the end of FY2019. Entries wanted for yield contest The National Wheat Foundation (NWF) is proud to once again host the National Wheat Yield Contest. The contest offers growers the opportunity to compete with their peers across the U.S. and learn from each other innovative techniques to improve wheat productivity on their farms. The contest features two primary competition categories: winter wheat and spring wheat. The top five winners from each category will be recognized nationally. All entry and harvest report forms, entry payments and weigh tickets must be submitted electronically. NO PAPER ENTRY AND HARVEST FORMS OR CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED. For a complete list of all rules and procedures, please go to wheatfoundation.org before submitting your entry form and payment. There will be no entry payment refunds. Entry forms must be submitted to the National Wheat Foundation through the online entry form by May 1 for winter wheat and Aug. 1 for spring wheat. 10 WHEAT LIFE MAY 2017

11 THIS IS YOUR GRAIN. THIS IS YOUR GRAIN ONBUGS. Protected with Diacon -D IGR Unprotected wheat after 150 days of insect infestation* Keep Wheat and Barley Neat with Diacon -D IGR Is there anyone out there who still isn t clear about what insects do to your grains? From causing discount penalties to rendering grains altogether inedible, infestations make a verifiable economic impact. Diacon -D IGR is a ready-to-use solution for protecting wheat, barley and other grains in a variety of storage sites. This dry formulation is an insect growth regulator that stops larval development that is ideal for water challenged situations. Make sure your grains stay clean with Diacon -D IGR. Call or visit BugFreeGrains.com to learn more. *In laboratory setting Always read and follow label directions. Diacon and Diacon with design are trademarks of Wellmark International. Central Life Sciences with design is a registered trademark of Central Garden & Pet Company Wellmark International.

12 POLICY MATTERS Legislator hears growers concerns on farm bill priorities Washington Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers took the opportunity in mid- April, while Congress was in Easter recess, to hold a farm bill listening session with growers in Colfax, Wash. Most of you are aware that the farm bill is up to be reauthorized in 2018, and this is intended to be an initial conversation about the farm bill, McMorris Rodgers said, adding that she s requested a House Agriculture Committee farm bill hearing in Pullman, Wash. Agriculture remains the number one industry in Eastern Washington. We have a rich history, and we want to keep that going. The hour-long meeting touched on many of growers top priorities, including crop insurance, trade, funding for the Market Access Program (MAP) and the Foreign Market Development (FMD) program, food aid, research funding for quality issues and sequestration. Maintaining a strong safety net was another concern that came up several times. A safety net, whether it s crop insurance or some type Michelle Hennings (right), executive director of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers, thanks Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) for her help on the falling numbers funding appropriations request. See story on page 6. Whitman County grower Larry Cochran (right) voices some of his concerns to Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) during her farm bill listening session in Colfax last month. of farm program payment system, there s got to be a safety net to keep people from going under, said Art Swannack, a Whitman County commissioner and a farmer from Lamont, Wash. Most people are looking at how they can break even for the next several years rather than making a profit because they don t see much of a chance to make a profit. That safety net has to be a solid part of the farm bill, whatever the design of it is. Nat Webb, a farmer from Walla Walla, Wash., and a former Washington Grain Commission chairman, pointed out that one of the things the farm bill does is ensure that consumers have a reliable source of food at a reasonable price by making sure farmers can continue to grow food during tough times. That s a really good point, the importance of us talking about the impact of the farm bill on the consumer, McMorris Rodgers replied. It s because of the farm bill and the commitment that we make that we do have that safe, reliable food supply in America and that we ve enjoyed some of the lowest costs (of food) of any place in the world. 12 WHEAT LIFE MAY 2017

13 more ROI (Return On Innovation). Priaxor fungicide is a powerful tool designed to protect your wheat from the diseases and other stresses that pester you the most. You get proven Plant Health benefits like growth efficiency and stress tolerance, and the longest-lasting disease protection, plus post-infection disease control. With Priaxor fungicide, you get the kind of consistent performance that can deliver higher-quality crops and higher-potential yields. See your BASF Authorized Retailer. Or visit GrowSmartWheat.com Always read and follow label directions. Grow Smart is a trademark and Priaxor and Xemium are registered trademarks of BASF BASF Corporation. All rights reserved. APN 17-DIV-0009

14 WL POLICY MATTERS Growers told the congresswoman that the current farm bill programs, Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC), are needlessly complicated. In addition, how the programs are applied can vary from county to county. The 2014 Farm Bill did away with direct payments, and Alex McGregor, president of The McGregor Company and a past president of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG), pointed out that growers took some pretty significant cuts in that farm bill. There now needs to be an understanding that we have been through some very difficult times. There s been a 50 percent reduction in net farm income nationally over all crops, he said. It s going to be very important to keep making the case that these are challenging times, and it would be folly to leave farmers high and dry. Crop insurance is a crucial part of that. Beginning with the 2014 crop year, sequestration made those cuts a little deeper by reducing payments by nearly 7 percent. WAWG Executive Director Michelle Hennings asked McMorris Rodgers if sequestration was going away any time soon. Those conversations are going on right now as to how we are going to approach the sequester moving forward, the congresswoman replied, adding that she believed Congress needs overall budget reform, which would include taking care of the sequester. Trade was another major priority that was discussed. I want to make sure we don t forget the trade part (of the farm bill) and the FMD and MAP funding, because crop insurance and the safety net, they help my farm out in the short term and keep me in business, but in the long term, if we can t sell Marci Green (left), vice president of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG), speaks with Gov. Jay Inslee during the signing of SSB 5051, a bill that triples the amount of time the Washington State Department of Natural Resources is required to give notice when terminating agricultural or grazing leases early. WAWG lobbyist Diana Carlen (far right) also attended the signing. Photo courtesy of the Washington State Legislative Support Services. Governor signs DNR lease bill In mid-april, legislation prompted by a dispute between dryland wheat farmers and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee. SSB 5051 requires DNR to provide at least 180 days notice before terminating an agriculture or grazing lease. DNR must also provide documentation that the state has a plan to sell, exchange or increase the land s profitability. Last summer, DNR unexpectedly terminated several Benton County leases on very short notice in preparation for a planned irrigation project. Most of the leases still had multiple years left on them. Under current contracts, DNR is only required to give 60 days notice. Although DNR was the body responsible for the termination of the leases, no compensation was provided to the farmers until the matter was brought to the attention of local and state elected officials, especially Senators Sharon Brown and Judy Warnick, both members of the state Senate s Agriculture, Water and Rural Economic Development Committee. WAWG s leadership team worked with the growers and legislators to find a solution to the issue, writing letters of support and testifying in front of the Senate ag committee. The way DNR handled this matter created some hard feelings in the wheat industry, said Nicole Berg, chair of WAWG s Natural Resources Committee. By requiring DNR to give at least 180 days notice before terminating a lease early, this bill will hopefully give growers time to harvest the crops they ve planted on that ground, as well as time to make seeding and equipment-purchase adjustments in their management plans. To read more about this, download the November 2016 issue of Wheat Life at wheatlife.org/pastissues.html. 14 WHEAT LIFE MAY 2017

15 WHAT S YOUR ADVANTAGE RAINIER-EA is your advantage when it comes to optimizing your spray investment. RAINIER-EA is a high concentration, nonionic adjuvant. When combined with pesticides requiring a NIS surfactant, RAINIER-EA reduces surface tension, increasing pesticide uptake. Gain more control of your fields and ultimately yield with RAINIER-EA. RAINIER-EA is one premier adjuvant in the ECO ADVANTAGE (EA) platform of products that provide superior performance, excellent crop safety and handling, labeled for aquatic use, and are NPE free. Contact your local Wilbur-Ellis representative for more information on RAINIER-EA and other premium adjuvant products. EA.wilburellis.com Find your local specialist at locations.wilburellis.com For information only. Not a label. Prior to use, always read and follow the product label directions. WILBUR-ELLIS logo, Ideas to Grow With, ECO ADVANTAGE, RAINIER-EA, and the RAINIER-EA logo are registered trademarks of Wilbur-Ellis Company LLC. K

16 WL POLICY MATTERS our wheat We can t rely on crop insurance forever. We have to have those markets in place, said Marci Green, WAWG vice president. McMorris Rodgers is planning to hold additional farm bill listening sessions in Eastern Washington in the coming months. WSU construction requests fall short in House budget One of the Washington Association of Wheat Grower s (WAWG) priorities this legislative session was the construction funding of two, new Washington State University (WSU) buildings essential to the state s agricultural industries. WSU had submitted funding requests of $38.1 million to build the first stage of the Global Animal Health Phase II project, the new home of the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, and a $58.9 million request to construct the Plant Sciences Building. The state Senate s proposed capital budget included funding for both buildings, but the House s proposed capital budget did not. The House budget only included funding for the Global Animal Health Phase II project. According to a press release from WSU, both projects remain in play going into negotiations on a final budget. Legislators are now working to reconcile the differences between the budgets. WAWG is disappointed that the House s proposed budget only funded one of the WSU buildings and feels they are both important to the continued success of Washington s agricultural industry. Michelle Hennings, WAWG s executive director, is encouraging growers to contact their local representatives to express support for funding both buildings. Legislature still working on fix to water ruling By Diana Carlen WAWG Lobbyist Rural areas are still waiting for relief from the Legislature to fix the controversial Hirst water decision issued by the Washington State Supreme Court last fall that has severely curtailed economic development by limiting the use of permit-exempt wells. While several bills were introduced this session to address the court decision, one bill (E2SSB 5239) introduced by Sen. Judy Warnick (R-Moses Lake) has had the most momentum after passing out of the Senate earlier this session with bipartisan support. E2SSB 5239 reverses the Hirst decision and shifts responsibility for water appropriations for exempt wells from local county building departments back to the Department of Ecology who administered state water resources prior to the court decision. However, E2SSB 5239 did not move out of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee by the deadline because it faced strong opposition from tribal and environmental interests. Despite missing the legislative deadline, E2SSB 5239 could still be adopted by the Legislature this session if Senate and House leadership reached an agreement on final bill language. Indeed, each caucus has expressed strong interest in finding a fix this session, and legislators are holding regular meetings with stakeholders and the governor s office to accomplish this. It is likely that this issue will be worked on during any special session and as part of budget negotiations. The Washington Association of Wheat Growers supports the Legislature taking action this year to clear up the confusion caused by the Hirst decision and believes that E2SSB 5239 is the best proposal to do this. Bill introduced to fully spend waterway maintenance fund From PNWA In April, Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) introduced HR 1908, the Investing in America: Unlocking the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Act. The bill would increase investments in critical navigation projects by providing annual Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) revenues directly to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). Currently, all HMTF receipts are put into the general treasury and need to be appropriated by Congress annually. This bill would allow for full expenditure of the fund each year for dredging, jetty repairs and other maintenance activities at coastal and deep draft navigation projects. The bill would provide more than $18 billion over the next decade to the Corps, a 29 percent increase in investment, and would continue to preserve the ability of Congress to appropriate additional funds from the existing $9 billion HMTF balance. 16 WHEAT LIFE MAY 2017

17 眀眀眀 愀最琀爀甀挀欀猀愀渀搀攀焀甀椀瀀洀攀渀琀 挀漀洀 䄀䜀吀刀唀䌀䬀匀嘀䔀䌀吀伀刀 ᰠ 吀伀倀匀䔀䰀䰀䤀一䜀匀倀刀䄀夀䔀刀䤀一吀䠀䔀䔀一吀䤀刀䔀䤀一䰀䄀一䐀一伀刀吀䠀圀䔀匀吀 ᴠ

18 Working to advance the small grains industry by building support for programs and activities that increase public awareness of farming. LET S GROW TOGETHER CAMPAIGN UPDATE We re connecting with Washington s west side about the issues that matter to our farming families and communities. New consumer education content clears up confusion about connections between glyphosate and cancer, cautions about going gluten free when not medically necessary and promotes the health benefits of Washington-grown grains. We re furthering the GMO conversation, highlighting advances in bioengineering technologies and continuing to combat perceptions that our farmers drench fields in chemicals. The public comment period may have come to a close, but we continue to raise awareness about the importance of our Snake River dams to Washington agriculture. Outreach via multiple channels counters arguments from proponents of breaching the dams and promotes the sustainability of barge transportation to get agricultural goods to market. Our newest projects foster positive perceptions about farming. We re promoting the technological advancements that help our farmers give more people access to affordable food with less impact on our environment and highlighting Washington farmers as stewards of their land. We could use your help and invite you to share the ways you embrace technology on your farms and use sustainable practices in your fields. We d like to showcase these practices in action to further bridge the gap between consumers and our farmers. To tell your stories, jennifer@enigmamarketing.com. Here s an excerpt from letsgrowtogether.ws: GPS Increases Efficiency Farming is probably the oldest industry known to man, with techniques passed down through generations. It is, by its nature, dependent on seasons, along with intuition and toil. When one thinks of farming in the old-fashioned sense, technology doesn t come to mind. Today, however, technological innovations in farming come to the forefront of our thinking. GPS tracking systems for farming equipment is one of those innovations that significantly simplifies a farmer s effort and ensures a better yield. The capability of the technology to integrate locational data to provide advanced services such as water management, yield monitoring and row guidance makes it attractive to farmers. In addition, GPS precision technology is environmentally friendly as it reduces overlaps and driver fatigue by improving steering accuracy. Some of the advantages of GPS tracking systems are: GPS tracking equipment can be used to track expensive farming equipment and prevent tractor theft by providing text or alerts to farmers if their equipment is moved; Tractor GPS equipment can help in mapping the usage of the equipment and save that information as records for insurance purposes; Information management modules are available to track solutions such as water management, mapping, accounting, etc.; Fertilizer delivery and seeding information can be monitored in real time by the farmer; The GPS equipment can be used to mark obstacles, repetitive weed growth, sinkholes in the field or even pest infestations; and Precision-tracking GPS equipment has the capability to break down the view of a farm into various grids and store information for each grid, such as yield. Some of the challenges are: Expense of equipment and software; Usage of GPS tracking may be unreliable because of outdoor interference such as electricity equipment or thunderstorms; and The range of the equipment is not always guaranteed, especially in the case of larger farms which may have natural obstacles such as trees or hills. Calendar: Washington Wheat Foundation meeting June 5 at the Wheat Foundation Building in Ritzville, Wash. June Shoot June 14 at Landt Farms in Nine Mile Falls, Wash. Washington Wheat Foundation Meeting Sept. 11 at the Wheat Foundation Building in Ritzville, Wash. Washington Wheat Foundation Meeting Nov. 10 at The Davenport Grand Hotel in Spokane, Wash. Reminders: Like the National Wheat Foundation Facebook page. Remember the Foundation in your charitable giving. Go to wawheat.org to find out more about ways that you can support your industry. Visit and share the new Let s Grow Together blog and Facebook page. Washington Wheat Foundation P.O. Box 252 Ritzville, WA (509) wawheat.org 18 WHEAT LIFE MAY 2017

19 ATI SOLUTIONS, LLC your PWM and Spray Nozzles Experts We can help you spray more efficiently and minimize spray drift problems DynaJet Flex 7120 NOZZLE CONTROL SYSTEM Increase your spraying Productivity Maintain constant droplet size at different pressures Constant application rate at various ground speeds Minimize drift and maximize coverage Vary the capacity of your spray tips from the cab Independent control of flow rate and droplet size HAWKEYE Nozzle Control Systems Compatible with ISO Task Controllers Ultra-precise, consistent spray pattern Individual nozzle shut-off with HAWKEYE HD Accurate droplet size with PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) Fully integrated with machine application control systems Adjustable pressure on the fly, including 2 pre-set pressures Ability to program up to 16 virtual sections for shut-off Individual valve diagnostics monitor each nozzle See us for solutions on Guidance, Autosteer, Application and setting up your Connected Farm. ATI Solutions, LLC Partners working for you! Jones Truck & Implement, Inc E Second St. The Dalles OR Walla Walla Hwy. Colfax WA N Ninth Avenue Walla Walla WA

20 WL FEATURE AMMO Report Managing the time, costs of farm labor Paul Neiffer, CliftonLarsonAllen Scott Nielsen, Washington State Department of Agriculture Chad Dinkins, H.A. Ag Solutions Editor s note: This topic was presented in both Airway Heights and Walla Walla, Wash. This article covers the workshop in Airway Heights. By Trista Crossley The Agricultural Marketing and Management Organization wrapped up its 2017 winter series in February with a workshop on labor management, including wages, overtime laws and worker protection standards. Paul Neiffer, a principal with CliftonLarsonAllen, kicked off the day by discussing changes in minimum wages and sick leave rules that could affect Washington farmers. In 2017, the Washington minimum wage was set at $11 per hour. By 2020, the minimum wage will have increased to $13.50 per hour. Employees under 16 years of age are to be paid at $9.35 per hour in 2017, increasing to $11.48 per hour in While there are certain ag positions that are not required to be paid minimum wage, such as temporary harvesters, Neiffer said that due to a shortage of laborers, employers are finding that they have to pay more to attract enough workers. Another rule change says employers must allow a paid rest period of 10 minutes every four hours, and it must happen no later than the end of the third hour of a worker s shift. Even workers that are paid a piece rate have the right to paid rest periods. Employees must be allowed at least a 30 minute lunch break if they work more than five hours. Under federal rules, Washington farm workers are not subject to normal overtime, meaning being paid time and a half. However, all hourly farm workers must be paid for all the hours worked. In situations where employees are salaried, they must be paid at least $455 per week or $23,660 per year. With the new 2017 minimum wage, if they work 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, that equals a yearly wage of $22,880. In order to qualify as a salaried worker, employees must be considered an executive, an administrator or a professional. If they are a typical farm worker and they are working 50 hours a week and they don t meet the definition of being a salaried farm worker, then you have to pay them for every hour they work, Neiffer explained, adding that a farm manager who manages other workers could be considered a salaried employee. There was a proposed regulation that would increase the minimum weekly salaried wage to $921 per week or $47,892 a year. Neiffer said that increase would likely end up changing many farm salaried employees to an hourly wage. However, a Texas judge postponed the rule, which was supposed to go into effect at the end of 2016, and there are indications that the current administration will let the rule die. Neiffer also discussed commodity wages, which is the practice of paying an employee in a commodity, such as grain, instead of dollars. The primary reason we do this is because there is no payroll tax on paying a commodity wage. That was put in the internal revenue code back in the 1920s, he said. You have to remember that back in the early 1900s, a lot of farm hands were paid in grain, vegetables, chickens, eggs and so on. There was no cash changing hands, so it was a little hard to withhold 7.65 percent out of the egg to pass on to Uncle Sam. There are some things to keep in mind when paying commodity wages: Wages are entered in Box 1 of a W-2 form, but not in Box 3 or 5 (FICA or Medicare wages); The employee is subject to market changes and must incur costs to hold the grain. In other words, if an employee sells the grain shortly after acquiring it, the IRS could consider the com- 20 WHEAT LIFE MAY 2017

21 FEATURE WL modity the same as a cash wage and assess payroll taxes; and There is a gain or loss on the difference when the commodity is sold. If the commodity is held for at least a year, the gain is considered a long-term gain; According to Neiffer, the practice of paying commodity wages works best as a way for owners to pay themselves, but he recommended that they also pay themselves at least $10,000 of cash wages to build up social security credits, especially to qualify for disability benefits. Children s wages was another topic Neiffer addressed. He said that for children who are younger than 18 years old, there are some advantages to paying them a wage (as long as the parents are operating as a sole proprietor or spousal partnership): Wages are exempt from payroll taxes; Up to $6,350 is exempt from the child s income taxes in 2017; and Those wages can be put into a Roth IRA (up to $5,500 in 2017). Grandparents can pay wages to grandchildren, but they will be subject to payroll taxes. In addition, wages need to be reflective of the amount of work performed. Moving on from discussing children s wages, Neiffer tackled tax reform, referring to the U.S. House s 2016 GOP tax plan. The new tax plan would replace the current seven income brackets with three (see slide). Interest income would be taxed the same as dividends and long-term capital gains. Going to one or even three rates does not simplify the tax code at all, he said. What they are trying to do is remove a lot of tax payers from itemizing their deductions, because that s where a lot of work goes to. Tax Rates For Individuals Individuals would now have tax rates as follows: Note interest income is now taxed same as dividends and long-term capital gains WEALTH ADVISORY OUTSOURCING AUDIT, TAX, AND CONSULTING The tax proposal would also: Increase the standard deduction to $12,000 for singles, $24,000 for married couples and $18,000 for the head of household; Eliminate the personal exemption; Increase the child credit to $1,500 and add $500 credit for dependents that are not children; Eliminate all itemized deductions other than mortgage interest and charitable deductions; and Eliminate the Alternative Minimum Tax. Estate taxes are also addressed in the GOP s tax plan, something Neiffer said is a case of being careful what you wish for, as one of the options for eliminating the estate tax is to replace it with a capital gains tax on assets. The House has also proposed a new destination-based cash-flow tax of 20 percent for corporations and 25 percent for unincorporated businesses essentially a value added tax with a deduction for wages paid. It would abolish the current corporate income tax and eliminate the ability to deduct business interest such as operating line interest, interest on buying machinery, etc. Costs paid for imported goods would not be deductible. The good news is that all sales from exported goods would be nontaxable. Other business entities would see a top tax rate of 25 percent, but self-employment taxes would likely go up. Pesticide compliance Scott Nielsen from the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) went through updates to the worker protection standards (WPS). The WPS first went into effect in 1993 and is basically label language that protects agricultural workers and pesticide handlers from pesticide exposure. The newest revisions were signed into law in November 2015, with some revisions taking effect in January 2017 and the balance going into effect in January WPS applies to farms, forests, plant nurseries and greenhouses that hire 2015 CliftonLarsonAllen LLP 23 WHEAT LIFE MAY

22 WL FEATURE employees and use pesticides. Commercial applicators could also fall under the rules. WPS does not apply to pesticides applied on: Pastures or rangelands; The portions of agricultural plants that have been harvested; Livestock or other animals or in or around animal premises; Vegetation along rights-of-ways, industrial sites and other noncrop areas; Ornamental gardens, parks, golf courses and public or private lawns; or Structural pest control. Nielsen said WPS boils down to five primary areas: pesticide training; notification; emergency assistance; protection from pesticides with personal protection equipment (PPE) and decontamination supplies; and protection from retaliation by an employer. The new rules expanded the immediate family members who are exempt from about 80 percent of the rules to include aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and first cousins. Immediate family members still must be provided with appropriate PPE, must be kept out of treated areas until the re-entry interval (REI) has expired, ensure pesticides are applied so they do not contact anyone and follow all other pesticide label instructions. Some of the new rule changes are listed below. Training. Training for workers and handlers has to happen every year, and the list of what needs to be trained has been expanded. The training should also be documented, and that documentation saved for two years. Some of it is pretty commonsense, such as being careful to wash hands before a meal, and part of it is understanding the signs and symptoms of poisoning. They ve added some items like do not take pesticide or pesticide containers used at work to your home or remove workboots or shoes before entering the home, Nielsen said. A lot of it is good information for a person to have to protect themselves. Notification. Under the new rules, information needs to be posted in a central location and needs to include general pesticide safety information, where to seek nearby medical treatment and a regulatory contact number. Applicationspecific information must be posted within 24 hours of application and must remain posted for 30 days after the REI has expired. Those application records must be saved for two years. Field posting, based on product labels and length of re-entry intervals, is still required. On products with a 48 hour REI or less, an employer can notify workers either by posting or by providing them with oral notifications. Field postings must go up before application starts and come down within three days after the REI is over. Protection from pesticides. The revised rules call for employers to provide emergency body wash and water for routine washing in the amount of one gallon of water for each worker and three gallons for each handler and each early entry worker. (In Washington state it will remain at 10 gallons of water for one handler and 20 gallons of water for two or more handlers). The amount of water should be measured at the beginning of the work period. Handlers must have a clean change of clothing available, and eyewash and an emergency eyewash station is required if the pesticide requires eye protection. For more information, farmers should contact their region s WSDA Pesticide Management Division or visit WSDA s website at agr.wa.gov/pestfert/. Plows to bytes Chad Dinkins from H.A. Ag Solutions reviewed some of the systems available we have your solution Start crops Strong with proven Seed treatment products from nufarm including learn how we can help you grow a better tomorrow. nufarm.com/usst 2017 Nufarm. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Salient, Sativa, Sebring, and Senator are trademarks of Nufarm. 22 WHEAT LIFE MAY 2017

23 to farmers that will take information gathered by precision ag equipment and make it more useful. There is a lot of technology coming down the pipeline that is going to hopefully seamlessly transfer (information) from your tractors into your office, he said, adding that currently there are about 10 different programs that are either good for the office or good for equipment, but the farmer has to tie it all together. Dinkins briefly touched on some of the field-to-office software that is being developed, including: Trimble Ag Software; Granular; Climate Field View; Raven Slingshot; and JD Link Each one of these programs have the ability to go from your tractor or the operation that is happening remotely to your office or your ipad. They can send you information almost in real time, he explained. However, two things Dinkins said farmers need to consider is where the precision ag information is stored and who has access to it. Many companies upload and store data on company servers and claim ownership of it. FARM & HOME SUPPLY Pomeroy, WA New CaseIH Steiger 500, triples, PTO... CALL New Case IH 8240H Axial-Flow Combine, 40 ft. MacDonald Draper Header... CALL Case IH 550 Quad-Trac, PTO, 36 Tracks... $375, Case IH 7088H Hillside Combine, 777 hours, w/30 header... $265, CaseIH STX 375 Quad Trac, 36 Tracks, PTO... $97,750 Available To Rent or Lease 30 Great Plains 3010 NT No-Till Drill Great Plains 29 Disc Schulte 5026 Rotary Mower - $12/Acre 1979 IH 1854 Single Axle Truck, 16 Bed, Diesel 466, w/hoist and slip tank... $8,995 Kioti PX9020 Loader-Tractor, Cab, 4x4... $63, Kioti DK 55 Tractor w/cab & Loader... $37,500 JD 9400 Wheel Tractor, duals, 425HP...$65,500 OBO Case IH 160 Pull Sprayer, 1600 gal. tank, GPS, Ultra sonic booms, forward fold...$35,500 OBO Great Plains 48 Cultivator, 4 Bar HR Spike Harrow... CALL Your trusted source. We support agriculture and rural communities with reliable, consistent credit and financial services, today and tomorrow. Real Estate Financing Operating Lines of Credit Country Home & Lot Loans Crop Insurance * northwestfcs.com Here to Help You Grow WHEAT LIFE MAY

24 WL FEATURE Done stuck good Whoever said a little dirt wouldn t hurt hasn t been out in Eastern Washington s fields this spring. 1 6

25 1: Brandon Larmer of KAL Joint Farms finds the going a bit muddy. (Lincoln County) 2, 5: Going after loose cows left Ryan Poe stuck in muck. Twice. (Grant County) 3: While turning uphill into what is now a mud hole, Justin Carstensen thought he d hit oil but no, it was just an artesian well. (Lincoln County) 4: Martin Pierret found himself stuck while soil sampling. It s just another spring day in the Palouse Wait this is the desert! (Franklin County) 6: Scott Hennings uses his Jeep to help out a mired pickup owned by Jason Heider. (Adams County) FEATURE WL

26 WL FEATURE FFA LIBERTY HIGH SCHOOL TEAM TACKLES ISSUE FOR STATE COMPETITION BY TRISTA CROSSLEY Students join falling numbers discussion Still confused about preharvest sprout? Alpha-amylase? The Hagberg-Perten test? Give the Liberty High School FFA Ag Issues team about 14 minutes, and they ll unscramble falling numbers for you while debating the merits of testing for this quality issue. The seven members of the ag issues team have been working on their presentation since September, interviewing farmers and industry representatives up and down the grain chain to understand falling numbers, the testing method and what the test results mean. They ve invested hours of research The falling number method of testing is only going to hurt and attended meetings the farmers financially. It is a where falling numbers system of punishments for was being discussed. missing the mark rather than They ve also practiced a system of rewards for those their presentation in who strive for a better quality front of different audiences, refining their talking of wheat product. points and polishing their delivery. All that work is in preparation for the 87th Washington FFA Convention May in Pullman, Wash., where the Liberty FFA group will go head to head with other high school teams during the Agricultural Issues Forum that is part of the convention s leadership development events. If we compromise on quality and start planting wheat that is not optimum for baking, then we are compromising on a grading system that has favored the American farmers outstanding product. If we change the standard or lower the quality of grain, we will lose customers. The main purpose of this event is not just for ag students to pick and learn a topic, but to then There are many reasons farmers object to the falling number method of testing. It takes time for the test to be completed and the results be returned. Not only that, but the falling number test can reduce the farmers amount of income up to 20 percent. This is because warehouses who buy the wheat pay more for the wheat with higher falling number scores and less for the wheat with lower falling number scores. go out in the community to make the community aware of what is going on, said Steve Braun, the Liberty High School FFA advisor. The team couldn t have picked a more relevant topic, one that is still going strong after nearly a year. Shortly after the 2016 wheat harvest began, reports of beautiful-looking wheat that was testing below 300 for falling numbers began to surface. By the end of the harvest, nearly 38 percent of Eastern We need to create a Washington s soft white testing and storage wheat had been hit, costing farmers millions of system that can segregate wheat dollars in discounts. For as it arrives at the some growers, this was elevator. the first time they d heard about falling numbers, not to mention the fact that they could get dinged at the elevator and by crop insurance for It is a complex market we it. The wheat must maintain while working industry went together to find better solutions to protect the American into overdrive to figure out wheat farmer, the international what had happened. There wheat market and the global food consumer. were forums, workshops, grower meetings, articles in newspapers and magazines. Legislators came calling, researchers were called in, and the industry mobilized to find a solution. Much of the controversy swirled around the method of testing for falling numbers, with some growers questioning the effectiveness of the test and why it was even necessary. It s a very relevant topic in agriculture today, and it s 26 WHEAT LIFE MAY 2017

27 FEATURE WL The Liberty High School FFA Ag Issues team has spent more than seven months working on their state presentation on falling numbers. The members of the team are (front row from left) Haley Marsh, Justin King, Ashlyn Bartels and (back row from left) Matthew Burley, Jon Denny, Isaak Ottmar and Alec Fletcher. been affecting the farmers bottom line a lot more, said sophomore Jon Denny, adding that his family farm had experienced low falling number wheat in the past. The team investigated both sides of the issue, and in their presentation, they explore some of the viewpoints for and against testing for falling numbers. Sophomore Isaak Ottmar said many of their presentations have been to farmers, and the feeling is that most of those farmers don t like the testing. Several members of the FFA group said researching the issue has made them change their own minds, especially when they consider the importance of maintaining the Pacific Northwest s tradition of exporting high-quality wheat. When we started this out, I was against the test, said Sophomore Ashlyn Bartels. My dad is an ag lender, so he experiences first hand what happens to the farmers when they have a low falling number test and how it hurts them financially. But after doing research and putting together our presentation, it made me rethink that maybe it is bad for farmers, but it helps the export market. According to Braun, FFA takes a tremendous amount of pride in helping develop leadership skills, promoting personal growth and laying a foundation for later career success. By tackling such a complex topic, the students have had to focus on the relevant points and draft clear, easy-to-understand talking points. At the end of the students presentation, judges will have a chance to test the students background knowledge by asking questions about falling numbers that weren t necessarily addressed in the presentation. A skill we often overlook is that they are critically thinking, but they are thinking and decision making and responding intelligently to a question in a heartbeat, and a lot of people shutdown when confronted with that, Braun said. To test their knowledge and to practice their presentation, the students have been performing it in front of audiences for the past several months, learning to deal with constructive criticism. In fact, the current version of their presentation bears little resemblance to earlier versions as the students have incorporated suggested ideas and dropped others. Another big part of FFA, especially in ag issues, is public speaking. I know how big a deal public speaking is, especially in the business world. You have to be able to give presentations to boards and directors. You need to be able to do public speaking, so this event has really prepared me for that, said junior Matthew Burley. WHEAT LIFE MAY

28 WL FEATURE Braun said he is proud of his FFA students, especially because many of them are also involved in other school activities such as sports, not to mention keeping up with regular schoolwork. To do well at ag issues and to have these kids participate at a high level takes the support of your school and administration, support of the community. It s a schoolwide commitment to be successful at this contest, Braun said. Editor s note: Quotes are excerpts from the team s presentation. THE LINDSAY ADVANTAGE A CUSTOM FIT FOR YOUR FIELD 9500 Series Designed for the toughest THE LINDSAY ADVANTAGE environments and terrain. The most rugged member of the Zimmatic family is built with the industry s thickest pipeline. A CUSTOM FIT FOR YOUR FIELD 8500 Series Insurance for Whatever You Grow Whether you raise cattle or grow nursery stock, row crops, grain, hay or fruit, COUNTRY Financial has got you covered. Your local nancial representative can help balance your need to protect what you have with your desire to build for the future. We o er great coverage for farm vehicles, too. Grow your own way with COUNTRY Financial. Laurie Mooney LUTCF FSS Wenatchee (509) An incredible value featuring structural strength and long-lasting reliability. The 8500 matches the competition s thickest pipeline. Designed for the toughest 9500 Series environments and terrain. The most rugged member of the Zimmatic family is built with the industry s thickest pipeline. Cost-effectively irrigates fields up to 60 acres, featuring a full 10.5 ft crop clearance. An ideal small field irrigator. An incredible value featuring structural strength and long-lasting A WIDE RANGE OF8500 matches the reliability. The competition s thickest pipeline. PIVOTS & LATERALS 7500 Series 8500 Series THE LINDSAY ADVANTAGE DURABLE RUGGED EASY TO USE I N T E G R AT E D TECHNOLOGIES B R OA D E S T L I N E OF SOLUTIONS THE LINDSAY ADVANTAGE Zimmatic by Lindsay offers proven systems and products that are built to be strong, long lasting, durable and easy to use for growers who Cost-effectively need highly efficient irrigationirrigates choices.fields 7500 Series up to 60 acres, featuring a full With the Lindsay you can and 10.5 Advantage, ft crop clearance. Anmix ideal match components to build your own unique small field irrigator. system. Choose your pivot point, spans, tower structure, driveline, control panel and add-ons A WIDE RANGE OFfits your field. for a complete solution that PIVOTS & LATERALS Lindsayadvantage.com Zimmatic by Lindsay offers proven systems and products that are built to be strong, long lasting, durable and easy to use for growers who EASY TO USE I N T E G R AT E D need highly efficient irrigation choices. TECHNOLOGIES ASK YOUR LOCAL DEALER ABOUT MONEY-SAVING OFFERS: B R OA D E S T L I N E With the Lindsay Advantage, you can mix and OF SOLUTIONS match components to build your own unique system. Choose your pivot point, spans, tower structure, driveline, control panel and add-ons for a complete solution that fits your field. DURABLE RUGGED James Penning LUTCF Yakima (800) Your Lindsay Dealer in the West Please call WEST (9378) or Greg at Paul Koethke LUTCF Moses Lake (800) Lindsayadvantage.com Wallowa Lake Highway Alpine Ln La Grande, OR Joseph, OR Lindsay. All rights reserved. Zimmatic is a registered trademark of the Lindsay Corporation ASK YOUR LOCAL DEALER ABOUT MONEY-SAVING OFFERS: 378 Briar Place Belgrade, MT Policies issued by COUNTRY Mutual Insurance Company, Bloomington, IL. 28 WHEAT LIFE MAY HO 206 W Main St Dayton, WA Lindsay. All rights reserved. Zimmatic is a registered trademark of the Lindsay Corporation.

29 Quality Handmade Boots The comfortable workhorse work boot THE RANGER $ Perfect for Farming, Ranching, Warehouse American made of premium leather Mini Vibram sole and #3 Toe Legendary arch support for all-day comfort Custom-built to order. Remote fitting available at E. Sprague Avenue Spokane Valley WA Visit us online at CHROME ALLOY WEAR PARTS SPROCKETS We offer chain drive, rod drive, and idler sprockets. COLLARS Collars are used on both sides of drive sprockets, and can be turned to obtain even longer life. SPOOLS We have regular spools, barrel spools, and spools with set-screw collars. GOOSE-NECK POINTS We have goose-neck points, with RH chrome rod installed. WEAR BLOCKS Wear blocks are available to fit all types of our spools. BOOT POINTS We have regular, rock, and universal boot points. R & H MACHINE 115 ROEDEL AVE. CALDWELL, ID Setting the Standard for Wear! We Are Your Integration Specialists John Deere Rate Controller 2000 Control 5 products both liquid and granular with one controller New more user friendly interface Control up to 16 sections Allows control of dual or tiered booms SureFire Liquid Application Systems Electromagnetic flow meter has no moving parts for longer life, and improved accuracy without being affected by viscosity. Complete suite of products to fit any application Improved accuracy at low application rates A Better Weigh to Measure Semi-Truck Platform Scales Portable Platform Scales available in 4 std. sizes Livestock Scales Seed Tender Scales Multi-Purpose Scales Cake Feeder Scales Grain Cart Scales APP-Based Wireless System Seed Tender & Grain Cart Apps Get the Free Central City Scale App from the App Store Grain Cart Scales iforeman connects to Smart Phones and Tablets Also Available Entry Level 640M with 100 Channel Memory GT 460 with Autolog Manage Feed Mixing and Rations with Phone or Tablet with Libra TMR wireless technology ccscales.com th Ave. Central City, NE scaleinfo@ccscales.com Tom Wells ISD Manager twells@eiijd.com Andy Garza ISD Specialist agarza@eiijd.com WHEAT LIFE MAY

30 WL FEATURE An update on falling numbers in the Pacific Northwest By Alex McGregor Wheat quality discounts for low falling numbers (FN) had a brutal impact on many Pacific Northwest (PNW) growers, as some of you are painfully aware, during the 2016 harvest with loss estimates likely to approach $140 million. A big harvest in most places had helped raise hopes despite low wheat prices. Then the bad news many faced of substantial deductions driven not only by preharvest sprout (PHS) but especially by late maturity alpha amylase (LMA), triggered by daily temperature variations of forty degrees 25 to 30 days after flowering resulting in low falling number test results. Highly variable results added to the frustration. A friend of mine took three samples from the same bucket of grain on the same day and got readings of 140, 260 and 305 seconds. Researchers at the University of Idaho mixed one sprouted kernel with 2,600 sound ones and lowered the FN score by 100 seconds. Six months ago, researchers, grain inspectors, association and commission leaders and other industry specialists met in our wheat conference room with Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) to survey the damage and come up with a plan. My concern ever since has been that we all make sure the issue doesn t lapse from the radar screen as we get busy tending to a new crop and meeting other challenges. I shared updates with many of you a couple of times during the winter. Since then we ve had three follow-up meetings to build momentum. The AMMO agricultural marketing program sponsored by the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) met in our training center the last day in January. In early February, the Washington Grain Commission sponsored a FN panel discussion at the Farm Forum in Spokane. I had the opportunity to participate in a Falling Numbers Symposium in Spokane on Feb. 16 a meeting organized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) that brought together grain industry leaders from across the PNW commissions and associations, exporters, federal and state grain grading experts, the research community and extension services. Our focus was upon short term (three to six months) and midterm (six months to two years) goals. Below are some highly abbreviated notes to give you a flavor of work underway. How can the current test be improved? Improving the current protocol is a major focus fine tuning variables such as varying ages of machines, service and maintenance and individual operator training. There is need to improve adjustments for barometric pressure and to be more detailed than to have benchmarks at 1,000 and 2, WHEAT LIFE MAY 2017

31 FEATURE WL feet. Another goal is to move current variables of 5 percent or 30 second differences to 1 percent or 10 seconds. Much work is underway to meet these challenges. Can alternative technologies be used to measure FN? We still don t know the effect of LMA on end-use quality. A rapid test is needed and a more sensitive method. A test has been developed in Australia, using antibodies, and known as ELISA work needs to be done to ensure this test can create an essay capable of differentiating between PHS and LMA. The patent for the process states that the test offers within day precision five-minute assay time and cannot only be used by grain handlers or traders but also by individual wheat growers, allowing them to detect sprouting on farm prior to harvesting to prevent contamination of sound wheat. Simple and easy to use says the patent. Craig Morris, head of the Western Wheat Quality Lab in Pullman, and I volunteered to take the lead in pursuing the ELISA process. Bayer Crop Sciences, the patent holder, hasn t developed it commercially but has given us permission to use the technology. Now we re working on finding sources for the needed antibodies for ELISA kits. Our short-term goal is to get access to the technology and get research on it underway. It could be a valuable tool, and we have high hopes. What are the relative roles of genetics and environmental effects on PHS? On LMA? How do flour and starch properties interact with LMA? Same as PHS or differently? USDA ARS Pullman and our three land-grant schools are working together collaboratively researching these and other questions. Short-term goals include categorizing varieties, summarizing data of the past three or four years and screening new varieties. Medium-term focus is on building models to predict the risk of specific varieties in specific regions and on defining timing and temperatures that induce LMA. Jerry Brown of the Idaho Wheat Commission described these efforts well, an integrated, multidiscipline, multistate research team to address the FN issues. A strong focus is ongoing to determine variety responses to LMA and PHS and relationships to crop maturity so growers can make good varietal decisions. The Washington Grain Commission began funding FN research analysis four years ago on all varieties in the Washington State University Variety Testing Program to build a database on varieties (see steberlab.org.) Short-term emphasis is on developing color-coded variety ratings until more robust models and systems are available. Cat Salois, head of our research department, has developed one such model she ll be glad to share with interested growers. Research efforts thus include: improving the current test, developing a more rapid and simple test and developing new assays to measure PHS and LMA that are repeatable, affordable and accurate while looking at other variables and examining impact on end use of the grain we grow. What efforts are underway on the political and administrative front? Much work was already underway before the Spokane meeting, and the pace continues to accelerate. Tri-state wheat leaders of our associations and commissions have been busy meeting with members of Congress from the Northwest and beyond in conjunction with the February meeting of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) and U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and in other trips to share our concerns to Washington, D.C., as well. They met, for example, with Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, ranking member of the Senate Ag Committee, and staffers for Pat Roberts and Heidi Heitkamp, also members of the same committee. As Darren Padget, chair of the Oregon Wheat Commission, put it, Having the three states show up as a united front is very beneficial to the cause. Sen. Patty Murray of Washington has visited with the nominee for USDA director, Sonny Perdue, on the subject and on her work leading the charge for the research requests through the Senate appropriations process. WAWG and the WGC are also working closely with Washington state members of Congress on appropriations (Newhouse, Beutler and Kilmer) with favorable support. Rep. McMorris Rodgers has been educating other members on the issue and will take the lead on a member letter addressed to the Appropriations Committee and subcommittee ranking members and chairs. The three state commissions formed a committee, headed by WGC Commissioner Dana Herron, to pursue the matter. Washington, Idaho and Oregon wheat association leaders have worked closely together, too. Leaders from all three states have made visits to ARS, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Farm Service Agency, the Risk Management Agency (RMA) and other federal agencies. NAWG and USW have signed on and are pitching in to help. The outreach efforts have been well received and have generated a lot of interest. The ask? A programmatic increase of $1 million for ARS to address falling numbers in soft white wheat a joint effort by WAWG, the Idaho Grain Producers Association, the Oregon Wheat Growers League, the Washington Grain Commission and its Idaho and Oregon counterparts. A competitive grant from the National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) for $2 million, over three years, to provide additional funds specific to soft white wheat fall- WHEAT LIFE MAY

32 WL FEATURE ing numbers work. In today s political environment, it will be a heavy lift for the FY2018 budget, but we are making progress! What about RMA and quality deductions impacting actual production history even where claims haven t been filed? Michelle Hennings of WAWG and other PNW leaders have been determined to see change, and RMA has been more positive than they were in the winter indicating a willingness to consider a proposal to change the policy. NAWG, representing 21 states, has joined the effort and will address discount factors and policy changes to help farmers impacted by quality issues beyond their control. As Curtis Evanenko, head of our risk management team, put it, This is a battle that can be won at the grass-roots level growers working through their associations. Because of these diligent efforts, 12 members of Congress six senators and six representatives wrote letters urging action by RMA. That didn t stir action last winter but now there is a willingness to listen, and progress can be made. We have gained RMA s attention through these efforts to the extent they are working on potential proposals for farmers to review and provide comments. The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and the Washington Grain Commission are working with the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA). Derek Sandison, director of the WSDA, and Glen Squires of the Washington Grain Commission have gained the support of GIPSA the USDA grain inspection agency to work together to improve existing protocols and develop improved testing methods. Sandison has been instrumental in earning the support of the Western Caucus of the State Directors of Agriculture in addressing this urgent issue. It hasn t slipped off the radar screen far from it. My biggest concern, when several of us met with Rep. McMorris Rodgers last September following a similar meeting Idaho growers had on the Camas Prairie earlier, was that we d all get so busy handling the many new challenges that would come our way that this issue might fade from view despite all our good intentions. Instead, it s been, as I told the AMMO group earlier, a well-coordinated, three-state focus on keeping the pedal to the medal. Kudos to the Washington, Idaho and Oregon wheat commissions and associations, USDA/ARS, Oregon State University, The University of Idaho and WSU researchers, WSDA Director Sandison, regional grain inspectors and the hard work of wheat grower volunteers for their steadfast efforts. The goal, as Glen Squires put it, is to find solutions and relegate PHS and LMA to the backburner. Whether impacted on our own farms by the luck of the draw last harvest or not, it is vital to pull together and move forward in addressing an issue that caused so much harm and could do so in the future as well. As Joe Anderson of Potlatch, Idaho, president of the Idaho Grain Producers Association, put it, If not addressed, this difficult problem will continue to cost growers and the wheat supply chain millions of dollars, and we risk losing some of our most valuable customers. Working together, we will make sure it is addressed and solutions found so we can solve the challenge and move it to the back burner. Together, we will make it happen. We ll likely be calling upon you to pitch in and help us win the day with support letters to Congress or in other ways. Stay tuned for details. WARRANTY FOREVER! * POWERTRAIN PROTECTION, FOREVER! New & Used *See us for details Omak Grand Coulee Pullman JessAutoFamily.com 32 WHEAT LIFE MAY 2017

33 Washington Wheat Foundation Annex (in Ritzville, Wash.) Rental Includes: Seats 100 Full service kitchen Wi-Fi Free coffee and tea Pull out wall divider 2 large screens Free parking 18 x 22 lobby to gather or serve buffet Separate board meeting room (seats 12) $50 (0-4 hours) or $100 (4+ hours) Contact Chauna Carlson at the Washington Wheat Foundation rental line (509) Rent our state-of-the-art classroom for conferences and seminars! 25 Years Growing I N C O R P O R A T E D CRP, SAFE & Pollinator Mixes Hay and Pasture Mixes Alfalfa and Legumes Habitat Mixes WHEAT LIFE MAY

34 WL FEATURE BLACK GOLD WSU workshops address soil health Soil Health Innovation Workshops were conducted in February in Spokane and Walla Walla, Wash., to discuss soil health and how soil acidity is becoming a bigger problem in Eastern Washington and degrading the once fertile soils of the Palouse. The workshops attracted 185 producers, industry representatives and conservation district and Natural Resources Conservation Service personnel. The events were organized and facilitated by Washington State University (WSU) regional specialists, Paul Carter and Stephen Van Vleet, and Gary Wegner, a crop nutrition consultant from Spokane. The events were fast paced and loaded with information. Attendees participated in hands-on activities, asked questions and shared comments of concerns and experiences. Van Vleet emphasized that we are all working together for agriculture and to provide quality products to consumers. Workshop topics included: A brief history of the Pacific Northwest soils before farming practices; Soil properties and texture; Soil sampling and understanding soil test results; Essential nutrients for plant development; Soil acidity and liming; Economics of liming; Soil acidity and plant diseases; and Herbicide fate. Wegner provided insight into the importance of planning, being observant, having the proper equipment and proper preparation for successfully farming the land and being able to leave it better for the next generation. Van Vleet provided a demonstration of the soil properties and texture under different tillage systems and discussed the impact of soil acidity on the biological activity and compaction in the soil. Carter shared information on soil sampling methods to gain the most from a soil sampling program and the importance of a sampling plan. A decision tool was presented that would aid in understanding soil test reports; many farmers have struggled with what all of the numbers mean. Carter also talked about the soil nutrients essential for plant growth and development of crops.

35 䌀伀䔀渀攀爀最礀 ጠ 匀攀爀瘀椀渀最愀氀氀礀漀甀爀昀甀攀氀渀攀攀搀猀 䈀䤀䜀匀䄀嘀䤀一䜀匀 匀吀伀䌀䬀唀倀一伀圀 䐀䤀䔀匀䔀䰀䔀堀䠀䄀唀匀吀䘀䰀唀䤀䐀伀一匀䄀䰀䔀 䌀愀氀氀甀猀漀爀猀琀漀瀀戀礀漀渀攀漀昀漀甀爀挀漀渀瘀攀渀椀攀渀琀氀漀挀愀琀椀漀渀猀昀漀爀洀漀爀攀椀渀昀漀 䴀漀猀攀猀䰀愀欀攀䄀爀攀愀㔀㤀 ⴀ 㜀㜀 ⴀ 㜀㘀㤀 COVER 25% MORE ACRES WITH BESTWAY S EXCLUSIVE V RIDE Bestway s new V-RIDE boom suspension lets you dial in the boom ride to your conditions a softer ride for challenging no-till conditions, a ride for smoother terrain. V-RIDE Boom System advantages include: Up to 25% increased productivity with 2-5 mph higher field speeds Saves valuable time and fuel Improved spray pattern control for optimized application accuracy Exclusive Fiberworks TM composite outer booms reduce boom weight by 1/3 vs. steel and feature dual boom breakaways for twice the protection of other brands To see the new V-RIDE system in action, order your FREE Bestway DVD online at or call toll free: Sold locally by: DIESEL & MACHINE, INC th St. North, Lewiston, ID CALL TODAY! WHEAT LIFE MAY

36 WL FEATURE Elston Solberg, an agronomist from Canada and the keynote speaker, shared a presentation titled, What Your Plants are Dying to Tell You, providing information about the nutrient deficiencies and ratios of certain nutrients needed to maintain a properly functioning soil/ plant system. He emphasized developing root-dominant plants that maximize the plant s production potential. Solberg reported that western Canada and the Pacific Northwest are the only areas where farmers and landowners have not done anything to manage the development of soil acidity, while other areas of the world know that they need to correct soil acidity for optimal crop production. Elston initiated the Acidity Anonymous group, stating that the first step is to admit you have a problem. Once farmers recognize there is a problem, action can be taken to improve soil health. Tim Murray, WSU plant pathologist, introduced the effects of acidic soils on plant diseases. There is scientific evidence that certain plant diseases are more prevalent and detrimental under acid soil conditions. Ben Moehrle, Four Star Supply Agronomy manager in Colfax, Wash., and Bill Cobb, Cobb Ag Consulting Services in Kennewick, Wash., presented data and examples about how the efficacy of various herbicides is affected by both high and low soil ph (see WSU Publication FS189E How Soil ph Affects the Activity and Persistence of Herbicides ). The economics of lime is not well understood in Eastern Washington according to Randy Fortenbery, WSU ag economist. Producers and landowners need to work together to develop appropriate legal documents to protect each other when making applications of lime. Lime is considered a long-term investment, and short-term leases lack adequate benefit to the tenant that needs to apply lime. Fortenbery also emphasized that the true value of the land is affected by the ph status of the soil on that farm. Farmland that has a solid history of liming should always bring a higher value to the seller. Survey data was presented providing evidence of the current status of the soil acidity compared to native soils. Carter said findings indicate that about 90 percent of all dryland cropping system soils in Eastern Washington are below soil ph of 5.2 in the top 6 inches of the soil profile. This is well below the critical minimum level of 5.5 ph necessary for the production of the most acid-tolerant crops and below the level in which beneficial bacteria can survive. Many of the acidic soils are very low in essential micronutrients and dramatically limit plant development. Some of these critical deficient nutrients include boron, copper, zinc and calcium. Recent research indicates a 7 percent winter and 15 percent spring wheat yield increase when these nutrients are added to the cropping system. In addition, research from plots limed and treated with micronutrients was presented, providing evidence of improved plant health and productivity. Solberg finished the workshop by tying a ribbon around the topics and emphasizing the need to repair the rich Palouse soils of Eastern Washington by developing a plan to reduce soil acidity and balance essential nutrients to produce root-dominate plants for maximum potential production. Sponsors who made the workshops possible were Columbia River Carbonates, The McGregor Company, Wilbur-Ellis Corporate, Helena Chemical, Crop Production Services, Best-Test Analytical Services, Northwest Farm Credit Services, Exactrix Global Systems and CHS Primeland. Prizes were drawn and included soil ph meters and sharp shooter shovels. 36 WHEAT LIFE MAY 2017

37 Your Rural Property Specialist Farmland, timberland, recreational properties, Lake Roosevelt and homes on acreage! I work all over Eastern Washington... If you want to BUY or SELL, call me! realtordad@aol.com Contact Greg Schuster, Broker Rural Property Sales Coldwell Banker Tomlinson NwGrainAugers.com GUARDIAN FRONT BOOM SPRAYERS. NEVER LOOK BACK. Step into a new SMART Guardian front boom sprayer from New Holland and you won t look back. Guardian front boom sprayers allow you to cover ground faster to maximize acres sprayed per hour. With the highest horsepower, the largest tank sizes, the smoothest suspension, a tight 13.5-foot turning radius (15-foot for 4-wheel steer), and the industry-highest six foot ground clearance, it s easy to understand how a Guardian front boom sprayer helps you achieve a new level of spraying freedom and productivity. Hermiston, OR (541) La Grande, OR (541) Quincy, WA (509) Lakeview, OR (541) Hines, OR (541) Albany, OR (541) Othello, WA (509) Walla Walla, WA (509) Christmas Valley, OR (541) Pasco, WA (509) CNH Industrial America LLC. All rights reserved. New Holland is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates. CNH Industrial Capital and New Holland Construction are trademarks in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates. Locally Owned & Operated - Serving the Basin for 40 Years WHEAT LIFE MAY

38 WL PROFILES Palouse native helps growers seed more effectively Ed Driskill, Albaugh LLC By Kevin Gaffney Ed Driskill is a hands-on kind of guy. How he became interested in agriculture provides an example. His first-ever taste of ag labor was picking rocks out of Palouse country grain fields. I was hired with some buddies to go out and pick rocks out of lentil fields in the Viola, Idaho, area. That was my first direct exposure to farming, noted Driskill. I worked on farms every summer after that through college. My father worked in automobile sales, so I didn t have a farm background. I m probably one of very few whose inspiration for a career in agriculture came from picking rocks out of fields. Born in 1978 in Pullman and raised in Moscow, Idaho, Driskill has never strayed far from the Palouse country for very long. Besides spending a summer in Salt Lake City and one year studying and playing college baseball at Spokane Falls Community College, Driskill has been a lifelong resident of the Palouse. To say that my roots are in the Palouse would be an understatement, said Driskill. I don t anticipate ever leaving the Moscow- Pullman area. After that year in Spokane, Driskill transferred to the University of Idaho to study plant science. The lure back to Moscow was not just to be a Vandal. His high school sweetheart and future wife, Kelly, was still in Moscow. They were married before he earned his bachelor s degree in December They now have four kids: two boys and two girls ranging in age from 6 to 14. Soon after graduating, Driskill took a position as a research associate at Washington State University (WSU) working on potato variety development, where he worked with an excellent mentor, Bob Thornton. While employed at WSU, I earned my Master of Science degree in horticulture in the spring of 2005, recalled Driskill. By that time, I knew I wanted to do something besides research technology work. Driskill was excited when the opportunity to join the Syngenta-AgriPro Wheat team came in My position was as key account manager for cereal genetics. My territory was the Pacific Northwest (PNW) states. I handled all sales activity for wholesale and retail outlets. Since I was relatively new to cereal grains, Dr. John Moffat took me under his wing, remembered Driskill. He provided me with an amazing amount of background and knowledge about wheat and the ag industry. He tied the science of cereal grains in with what actually works for farmers in the field. His tutelage made me a more effective salesman. Driskill s work duties with AgriPro Wheat changed significantly in 2011 when 38 WHEAT LIFE MAY 2017

39 Landowners: Looking for additional revenue? Lease your land to hunters and anglers! Free to list Easy to use You make the rules Visit 䤀渀琀爀椀最甀攀搀䈀礀䌀漀瘀攀爀䌀爀漀瀀瀀椀渀最 Ⰰ 䈀甀琀䰀愀挀欀吀栀攀䴀漀椀猀琀甀爀攀吀漀倀甀氀氀䤀琀伀昀昀㼀 䌀刀伀倀刀伀吀䄀吀䤀伀一匀圀䤀䰀䰀䐀伀吀䠀䔀䨀伀䈀 䈀甀椀氀搀礀漀甀爀猀漀椀氀猀昀漀爀琀栀攀昀甀琀甀爀攀 唀猀椀渀最伀氀搀匀挀椀攀渀挀攀吀栀愀琀䠀愀猀圀漀爀欀攀搀䘀漀爀䌀攀渀琀甀爀椀攀猀 圀䤀一吀䔀刀䌀䄀一伀䰀䄀㨀㨀一伀一䜀䴀伀䤀䴀䤀 ⴀ 吀伀䰀䔀刀䄀一吀㨀㨀吀刀䤀吀䤀䌀䄀䰀䔀倀䰀伀圀 ⴀ 䐀伀圀一䴀唀匀吀䄀刀䐀刀伀唀一䐀唀倀刀䔀䄀䐀夀嘀䄀刀䤀䔀吀䤀䔀匀䄀䰀匀伀䄀嘀䄀䤀䰀䄀䈀䰀䔀 匀吀䄀刀吀䈀唀䰀䐀䤀一䜀夀伀唀刀匀伀䤀䰀䠀䔀䄀䰀吀䠀一伀圀 匀倀䔀䌀吀刀唀䴀䌀刀伀倀䐀䔀嘀䔀䰀伀倀䴀䔀一吀刀䤀吀娀嘀䤀䰀䰀䔀圀䄀 䌀甀爀琀椀猀㔀㤀 ⴀ 㘀㔀㤀 ⴀ 㜀㔀㜀吀漀搀搀㔀㤀 ⴀ 㘀㐀 ⴀ 㐀アハ ート㘀 5026 ROTARY CUTTER 15, 26, 30 & 42 Models Hydraulic phasing cylinders for level lift Spring steel bushings at all major pivots 1000 RPM heavy-duty dive line Suspension for center & wing frames Knowledge - Experience - Dedication GO WITH EXPERIENCE! We Have Over 100 Years of Combined Ag Experience - We sell and manage farms and ranches and have an extensive list of cash buyers - Do you need to know the current value of your farm or ranch? - Do you need a current market evaluation? Dayton WA Walla Walla WA 254 E Main St. 317 N. Colville St View our farm listings at: bluemountainrealtors.com RS320 ROCK PICKER 3.2 Cubic yard hopper Superior rock picking performance Mark Grant, left and Blaine Bickelhaupt SRW 1400 ROCK WINDROWER BLAINE BICKELHAUPT blainb@nwfm.co As experienced farm real estate experts, we have established this partnership to manage farm and ranch properties in both Washington and Idaho. MARK GRANT mark@nwfm.co N. Colville St. Walla Walla WA northwestfarmland.com WHEAT LIFE MAY

40 WL PROFILES that division of Syngenta was reorganized. His territory expanded to include California, Utah and western Montana. In addition to cereal seeds, seed treatments were added to my responsibilities, said Driskill. With that change came the new job title of regional account manager. I still was happy in my position with AgriPro, but it did nearly double my travel time. With our growing family, it was becoming more difficult to be involved in the daily lives of our kids. A former associate at Syngenta approached Driskill with an offer to join Albaugh LLC in Albaugh was just establishing a seed treatment division, and Driskill was intrigued. After some research, he decided to join their team. It was really a seamless transition for me. I m a people person. I was already working with most of the same clients. I believe in building long-term business relationships based on trust and dedication to the needs of my clients. That has been a constant throughout my career. Albaugh operates on the same principles. As the key account manager for Albaugh in the PNW, Driskill now covers sales functions for Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. Driskill didn t know much about Albaugh before he was offered the position. The privately owned U.S. company was established in Iowa in 1979 by Dennis Albaugh and has grown to more than a billion dollars in global sales with manufacturing facilities in the United States, South America and Europe. We offer a complete portfolio of proven seed treatment products. We also partner with third-party companies to deliver new seed treatment technology, explained Driskill. We are somewhat of a hybrid company. Along with marketing various individual seed treatment formulations like Resonate Insecticide, we also produce and market many custom-mixed seed treatment solutions that offer a full spectrum of activity against diseases and insects. Many of these seed treatment formulations are put into our PNW research program which includes replicated field trials throughout the region comparing our products with competitor products to demonstrate value and performance. Albaugh is also developing some proprietary technology in the crop protection market that will complement our seed treatment business. I really enjoy Rock Steel Structures, Inc. CLASS 8 TRUCKS 521 N. EASTERN SPOKANE, WA (509) class8trucks@aol.com Tim Kintschi Back in ze old Country was the Swiss Kintschi. Back in ze old country Germany was Kuhn. Neighbors separated by a border. In the 1880s, the promised land was west of Spokane near Edwall. There settled both families on new ground with hopes and no promises. Grain crops, livestock and families were raised. Then, in local memories of folks now with silver hair, was that day in 1944 when 9th grader Jim Kintschi saw a young Betty Kuhn get on the school bus. The days flowed into years, a new family was formed living their love of the land with dedication to work through good times and bad. That is a brief story of K and K Farms and how (son) Tim came to buy a truck here! His brother Kevin is taking over the cattle side of the ranch and another story is told. We love serving folks like you, Tim. I hope you wear out this truck hauling bumper crops, making it easier to farm that deep-rooted land. Marc B. Lange (509) Scott Lund (509) Jeff Miller (509) NOT JUST TRUCKS, TRAILERS TOO! Grain Storage For Farms or Warehouses Grain Handling Grain Bin Accessories Shops Warehouses Equipment Storage Steel Buildings Steel Stud Pole Buildings Water Storage Tanks Aeration Systems Hopper Bottom Bins Catwalks, Ladders and Towers Contact Scott Rock scott@rocksteel.com Moses Lake, Wash. 40 WHEAT LIFE MAY 2017

41 working for Albaugh, because they stress providing superior customer service, products and value which has always been very important to me. Driskill manages sales efforts for the seed treatment portfolio for seed conditioners, seed distributors and retailers. The goal is to provide customized seed treatment technology to address the microclimates across the PNW market. Driskill may work with a seed dealer to design a custom seed treatment for a particular area s soil types and annual rainfall. A custom-blended seed treatment for the Palouse region will be quite different than one developed for Adams County, for instance. Driskill is not as closely involved with grain seed variety development as he was during his years with AgriPro. However, he believes the industry is in good shape with private breeders and land-grant universities introducing varieties with the emphasis on high yields and milling quality. Each winter season has Driskill sponsoring seminars, workshops and presentations all over the PNW. He works with distributors, retailers and even individual farmers to help find solutions for the PNW market problems. The problem pest of wireworms has increased in the past decade, and a perfect solution with seed treatments has been elusive. Back in 2006, Lindane was banned from use. It was highly effective, but with changing farming practices like no-till and unique environmental conditions, the replacement products have not been as effective, noted Driskill. Neonicotinoid products being used make wireworms sick, but they don t actually kill a significant population of them. This has led to the increase in wireworm populations and grower losses. Wireworms can live in the soil for up to seven years. Fighting them is an ongoing effort. Albaugh has a new product formulation using two neonicotinoid products (Resonate ) teamed with NipsIt Inside and a new biological from Albaugh (BioST Insecticide 100 ) that we believe is more effective than relying on neonic chemistry alone. There are also several new products being developed that should provide better control in the future. Driskill is optimistic about the wheat industry in the long term. While current commodity prices are an obvious challenge for growers, Driskill believes that over the next few years, that will change. We have many talented people in the cereal grains industry, all working to find the best ways to feed a growing world population. I have confidence that we will continue to develop better grain varieties with higher yields and excellent end-use quality. There will be new crop protection and seed treatment products becoming available to our growers. It s an exciting time in production agriculture. Find Albaugh LLC online at albaughllc.com. Washington Wheat Foundation Annex (in Ritzville, Wash.) Rental Includes: Seats 100 Full service kitchen Wi-Fi Free coffee and tea Pull out wall divider 2 large screens Free parking 18 x 22 lobby to gather or serve buffet Separate board meeting room (seats 12) $50 (0-4 hours) or $100 (4+ hours) Contact Chauna Carlson at the Washington Wheat Foundation rental line (509) WHEAT LIFE MAY

42 I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes. e. e. cummings

43 By Mike Miller In March, the National Wheat Improvement Committee (NWIC) had its annual fly in to Washington, D.C., to advocate for the value of wheat research funding. Of the many trips I make to the nation s capital each year, this is one of my favorites and most enjoyable, due to the fact it s the one time a year wheat researchers, domestic milling companies, a few farmers and often other industry stakeholders get together for a day and a half of exchanging information about their programs and meeting with elected officials. This year was also very special to me personally. After 20-some visits to our nation s capital, I was finally joined by my wife and three kids, as well as Tessa Jantz, one of the Washington Wheat Foundation s wheat ambassadors. Not to mention, students from our family s local Lind/ Ritzville high school happened to also be there at the same time. Read about their experiences in an article in the June issue of Wheat Life! The NWIC is an extraordinary group of industry folks to hang out around. I ve been fortunate to be on their board of directors for a number of years representing the western region. Past chairmen of this group are wheat legends. Jim Peterson from Limagrain Cereal Seeds, whom I ve mentioned in this column many times before, is responsible for some of the most widely adapted varieties in the Pacific Northwest when he was the breeder at Oregon State University. Without his NWIC leadership during lean years in wheat funding, we might have lost nearly all federal dollars for wheat research. Kentucky s David van Sanford, North Carolina State s Paul Murphy, Oregon s Bob Zemetra and Oklahoma State s Brett Carver wheat breeders all are other past chairs who ve helped resurrect wheat funding and instill an awareness in our country s leaders why wheat is such a vital commodity. If farmers looked at the historical yields on our farms in the period between 1960 and 1990 and compared them to what we yield nowadays, the gains are quite dramatic in the upwards direction. The breeders mentioned above, along with all the others not mentioned, have raised their bar to help us stay in business. Disease packages, farming with fewer chemicals and superior quality has helped each and every one of us go toe to toe with Mother Nature and do quite well. But it isn t only the science that has provided an increase in value, it s also the relationships built and nurtured over time. So many times when grower groups, state commissions and other associations go up to the Hill, we struggle to get quality appointments or quality time with whomever we need to meet. It can be frustrating. But not with the NWIC! We meet with top-level staffers, representatives and senators themselves, and usually committee chairs. It is also the norm to go to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and meet with upper administrators and decision makers while carving out a chunk of time for solid discussions and problem solving. With hundreds of millions of dollars at stake in the ag industry, it is important to know your message is reaching the right people, and, more importantly, that it is being taken seriously. This year s group was faced with a difficult task. Not only did we need to educate and advocate for needs during the 2017 budget, the 2018 budget cycle needs to be written as well. Our government is operating under a continuing resolution and trying to find dollars is next to impossible with everybody in government being told to cut budgets. But because of the respect the NWIC a small but mighty group has built with elected officials and the honesty and integrity with which they have used public dollars in wheat research, we have had tremendous success staying at the table and being relevant. A past USDA Agricultural Research Service administrator once told me that if you have to explain to people WHY you re relevant...you re NOT! Pretty sound advice from a guy who was in charge of deciding how to disperse hundreds of millions of dollars and had everybody banging his door down asking for money. I mentioned that once a year the NWIC flies to D.C. to educate our elected and appointed officials on the value and huge return on investment that wheat research brings, but we must acknowledge the breeders and researchers who devote every day of their lives to feeding the world. They do it in the fields, in the schools and overseas, and they do it without a lot of glory. It s who they are. It s part of their soul. We as farmers, and, more importantly, as consumers of food, owe them a BIG thank you as well as respect for their efforts in making food that s safe and healthy for the next generation. WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION WHEAT LIFE MAY

44 WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) milling consultant, Andrea Saturno (standing), along with consulting cereal chemist Art Bettge (center), listen while USW technical specialist Marcelo Mitre addresses plans to exploit soft white wheat s blending value during a meeting at the Washington Grain Commission boardroom four years ago. Remember the Sweet Spot! Remember the Washington Grain Commission s (WGC) sweet spot study from four years ago which demonstrated that blending up to 40 percent soft white wheat flour with hard red wheat flours resulted in bread products of equal or better quality at a lower cost? The push to inform customers of soft white s unique blending capability is continuing! In March, U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) purchased 100 metric tons of soft white and shipped it in containers to Panama. Once there, USW milling consultant Andrea Saturno, along with Marcelo Mitre, USW technical specialist, provided support to Panamanian millers interested in the concept of getting more for less. Glen Squires, CEO of the WGC, said the effort was partly the result of conversations he had with millers at the Latin America Buyers Conference held last summer in Portland. The USW effort shows how the Pacific Northwest s blending initiative continues to yield dividends by expanding soft white demand in Latin America, one of the most important regions for our future sales growth, he said. That s a big budget! The federal budget in 2016/17 was $3.65 trillion. That s a lot of dollars, but how many really? To provide context for just how large 1,000,000,000,000 is, consider this: there are roughly a million seconds in 11 and a half days and roughly a billion seconds in around 31 years. In a trillion seconds? Well, that s 31,000 years. Good Morning, Vietnam! If you didn t know soft white wheat was a superior class before, the fact some Vietnam-based mills that can t currently get Pacific Northwest wheat are sourcing it from Thailand should be a tip off. At present, Vietnamese mills can t originate soft white because of a ban the country has placed on imports of U.S. food and feed grains as well as distiller s dried grains. Although the Vietnamese claim their embargo is the result of live insects found in shipping containers, it is believed the issue may be in response to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) demands that Vietnam s fish industry live up to modern phytosanitary requirements. In any case, the Vietnamese are feeling the loss of soft white. The USDA and Vietnam s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Plant Protection Department have been working to find a resolution to the ban since last fall, and it appears shipments may restart this month with specific fumigation methods and fumigants applied in transit to bulk shipments. But that hasn t stopped some flour mills in Vietnam. They re going across the border to Thailand to source soft white flour and the Western White blend (20 percent club wheat) in order to temporarily fill gaps for contracts with domestic bakers who demand U.S. soft white for processing cookies, crackers, cakes and other products. Another explanation The smallest planted wheat crop in the U.S. since 1919 is the result of farmers who have abandoned the grain in the face of foreign competitors with lower production costs. The currency and commodity markets are shifting wheat away from the U.S. and toward competing countries. Arlan Suderman of brokerage INTL FCStone in a Wall Street Journal article. 44 WHEAT LIFE MAY 2017

45 WGC REVIEW WL Show you care Be there! If you haven t already made plans to attend the Snake River Family Festival, mark your calendar for Saturday, May 20, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Boyer Park and Marina. That s when advocates of your Columbia-Snake River System will host a party in celebration of the transportation corridor. The event will include exhibits, activities for children, music and free food. Sponsored by the three Northwest wheat and grain commissions and the ports of Whitman, Lewiston, Clarkson and Moses Lake, the festival is intended to provide a counterpoint to those who advocate breaching the four lower Snake River dams. Show your support! Drive a little, get a lot! Character you can count on Imagine there was a test that revealed the inadequacy of wheat grown in other parts of the world while highlighting the superior performance of soft white wheat grown in the Pacific Northwest. But wait! There is such a test!! U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) has spent the last decade championing the SRC (Solvent Retention Capacity) test as a way for millers and bakers to see the true nature of the wheat they are buying. Roy Chung, USW s southeast Asia bakery consultant, has led the way, arguing the test is a virtually fool-proof method of revealing the true character of a wheat sample. The efforts of USW have been paying off around the world, as evidenced most recently during the two and a half weeks that Chung and Gerry Mendoza, another USW bakery consultant, spent working with milling and baking companies in the Philippines. Of the six mills the pair visited, three have installed SRC equipment, two other mills have budgeted funds for the purchase of equipment, and one is considering the expenditure. The Filipino-Chinese Bakery Association installed SRC equipment in their school in USW believes using the SRC test helps mills understand the superior performance of all U.S. wheat classes and specifically helps defend U.S. market share in the Philippines. Quack like a duck! It s always fun to look at precipitation totals after a long winter, especially a winter that was as wet as 2016/17. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service April 2 weather report, it could stop raining for the rest of the year and many Eastern Washington locations would meet their precipitation averages for the season. Ritzville, for instance, had inches at the end of March, 5.86 inches more than is average for the September to March time period. Lind wasn t far behind with inches, 5.49 inches more than normal. Spokane had inches of moisture or 8.62 inches more than normal during that seven-month period. Pullman received 5.29 inches above average or inches, while Walla Walla received 1.50 inches greater than average for inches up to the end of March. But if you really want precipitation, go to Shelton, Wash., where an extra inches of moisture fell in the seven-month period for a total of inches of precipitation! Get on the pod-wagon! An index of Wheat All About It! podcast episodes is now available at the Washington Grain Commission website at wagrains.org. Since the beginning of the year, the podcast has covered a host of subjects of interest to wheat farmers, their families, landlords, agribusinesses and city friends. Go back and review episode 3, The Brasher Report, to see if one newseditor s view of the Trump Administration back in January is coming to fruition. Listen in as Judy Olson, retired state executive director of the Washington Farm Service Agency, recounts her leadership experiences in episode 6. Learn more than you may want to know about low soil ph in episode 8 and perhaps more than you need to know about falling numbers in episodes 12 and 13. Beginning with episode 15, Here to Help, about three impactful organizations that touch the lives of thousands of Pacific Northwest farmers, Wheat All About It! is even faster to download. In episode 16, Pay Attention, Columbia County farmer Jay Penner reveals details of the accident last fall that left him paralyzed from the chest down. To find Wheat All About It!, go to the bottom of the wagrains.org landing page to view current episodes and click to view the summary. Or subscribe to the podcast on itunes and have them pushed to you as they are released. Hundreds of early adopters are already listening to Wheat All About It! What about you? WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION WHEAT LIFE MAY

46 EPORTS RWASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION The varieties just keep on coming A lack of options isn t a problem for Pacific Northwest wheat growers By Ryan Higginbotham As manager of Washington State University s (WSU) Variety Testing Program (VTP), I hear a lot of things during the 21 field days my program holds around Eastern Washington each year, but I ve never heard anyone say wheat farmers need more varieties. Oh sure, farmers always want something newer and better; more resistant to that, more tolerant to this and higher yielding to boot, but they don t lack options. There are plenty one might say, a surfeit of wheat varieties for farmers in Eastern Washington to choose from. Some varieties are consistent performers that have been around for years, others are new to the scene trying to find their home, and there s always a few on their way out. No matter the variety, however, you can always be sure the Extension Uniform Cereal Variety Testing Program has grown it extensively and has the facts to help farmers make informed decisions about whether or not they should plant it. As a refresher, the VTP winter wheat trials are broken out by precipitation zone. Varieties may be planted in the (greater than) >16 zone, (less than) <16 zone or both. The 2016 soft white winter trials consisted of 54 entries in the >16 zone and 48 entries in the <16 zone. Hard winter wheat trials consisted of 24 entries in the <16 zone and 18 entries in the >16 zone. The irrigated nurseries were made up of 24 soft and 42 hard entries. Of the entries, 76 came out of land-grant schools in the 46 WHEAT LIFE MAY 2017

47 2017 WSU Variety Testing Program PNW Crop Tour Schedule The 2017 crop tour season will soon be starting and provides opportunities to view field trials and interact with Washington State University personnel and others about cereal varieties and crop management practices. Cereal breeders, extension agronomists, plant pathologists, and other scientists will be presenting information at various events. The small grain variety and research tours, listed below, provide a guide for wheat, barley, and legume tours in Washington and nearby locations. Please check with the contact listed prior to the tour to verify the time, location, agenda, and ensure a place at the table if food is served. Location maps for the WSU Cereal Variety Trials are available online at Washington Grain Commission funds support the trials and the tours, and we look forward to seeing you in the fields. Ryan Higginbotham, WSU Cereal Variety Testing Date Tour Time Contact 24-May Columbia Co. Conservation Tour 9:00 AM Paul Carter, Jun Horse Heaven 8:00 AM Ryan Higginbotham, Jun Ritzville 3:00 PM Aaron Esser, Jun Western Whitman Co. - LaCrosse 9:30 AM Steve Van Vleet, Jun Connell 5:00 PM Ryan Higginbotham, Jun Pendleton Field Day 7:30 AM Mary Corp, Jun Moro Field Day 7:30 AM Mary Corp, Jun WSU Weed Science - Pullman 1:00 PM Drew Lyon, Jun Harrington 4:00 PM Diana Roberts, Jun Lind Field Day 8:30 AM Bill Schillinger, Jun St. Andrews 5:00 PM Dale Whaley, Jun Mayview 9:00 AM Mark Heitstuman, Jun *Eureka 3:00 PM Ryan Higginbotham, Jun *Walla Walla (cereals) 1:00 PM Paul Carter, Jun *Dayton (cereals & legumes) 8:00 AM Paul Carter, Jun Anatone 3:30 PM Mark Heitstuman, Jun Moses Lake - irrigated 8:00 AM Andy McGuire, Jun Univ. of Idaho/Limagrain - Moscow 8:30 AM Debbie Rigby, Jun Almira 3:00 PM Diana Roberts, Jun Reardan 7:00 AM Diana Roberts, Jun Wilke Farm Soil Workshop 9:30 AM Aaron Esser, Jun Fairfield 7:00 AM Diana Roberts, Jul St. John 10:00 AM Steve Van Vleet, Jul Lamont 2:30 PM Steve Van Vleet, Jul Farmington 8:00 AM Steve Van Vleet, Jul Palouse 3:30 PM Steve Van Vleet, Jul Bickleton 1:00 PM Hannah Brause, Jul Know Barley, Know Beer Pullman 3:00 PM Kevin Murphy, *Cooperative trials/tours with Oregon State University and Northwest Grain Growers Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication or program information or reasonable accommodation need to contact the coordination person listed under Contact above at the telephone number listed at least two weeks prior to the event. Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office. WHEAT LIFE MAY

48 WL WGC REPORTS WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION Table WSU Extension Soft White Winter Wheat Variety Trial Summary Precipitation Zone=>20 Precipitation Zone=16-20 COLTON FAIRFIELD FARMINGTON PULLMAN AVERAGE YIELD 2-YR AVG YIELD AVERAGE TEST WEIGHT AVERAGE PROTEIN Variety Yield (Bu/A) Lb/Bu % Rosalyn UI Sparrow (IDO1108DH) ARS-Crescent Legion SY UI Castle CL LCS Artdeco ARS-Selbu Norwest Duet (LOR-092) Bobtail Puma Xerpha Mary SY Assure (04PN096-2) SY Dayton (09PN062#18) Resilience CL+ (WA 8187) WB-Junction ORCF WB UI-WSU Huffman SY Ovation Madsen WB UI Palouse CL Cara WB AP700 CL UI Magic CL Skiles WB Curiosity CL WB1376CLP Mela CL C.V. % LSD (0.05) Average DAYTON MAYVIEW ST. JOHN WALLA WALLA AVERAGE YIELD* 2-YR AVG YIELD* AVERAGE TEST WEIGHT AVERAGE PROTEIN Variety Yield (Bu/A) Lb/Bu % Rosalyn LCS Artdeco Bobtail Skiles Norwest Duet (LOR-092) ARS-Selbu SY Mary SY Ovation SY Dayton (09PN062#18) WB SY Assure (04PN096-2) WB Cara # Xerpha WB UI Sparrow (IDO1108DH) Legion Resilience CL+ (WA 8187) Puma WB-Junction UI Magic CL WB Madsen ORCF ARS-Crescent AP700 CL UI Palouse CL WB1376CLP UI-WSU Huffman UI Castle CL Curiosity CL Mela CL C.V. % LSD (0.05) Average Pacific Northwest, with the other 42 released by private companies. Only results from the named varieties are presented in Tables 1-3. I m constantly telling farmers not to make variety selection decisions based solely on one year of trial results (or one year of farm results). So I thought it only fair to include a longer-term average in my tables this year. You ll notice a column this year of yield data in the tables titled 2-yr avg yield. This is the two-year average yield across all locations in a given precipitation zone. Entries with dashes (--) in the 2-year average column have not been tested in that zone for two consecutive years. My hope is this will provide you with one more piece of information with which to evaluate your ever-growing list of varieties. The VTP section of the wheat and small grains website, smallgrains.wsu.edu/variety, contains a wealth of information that can aide you in determining the similarities and differences among varieties. You ll find two-, three- and five-year averages for each testing location, as well as long-term averages across locations within each precipitation zone. At the bottom of the pdf results file from each location, you ll also find brief statements summarizing site conditions, seeding rate, fertility levels, etc. 48 WHEAT LIFE MAY 2017

49 WGC REPORTS WL IRRIGATED MOSES LAKE PASCO AVERAGE YIELD 2-YR AVG YIELD AVERAGE TEST WEIGHT AVERAGE PROTEIN Variety ---Yield (Bu/A)--- Lb/Bu % SY Ovation AP700 CL LCS Artdeco WB SY Assure (04PN096-2) Bobtail UI-WSU Huffman UI Magic CL Rosalyn Resilience CL+ (WA 8187) WB-Junction Puma WB Skiles Norwest Duet (LOR-092) SY Dayton (09PN062#18) UI Palouse CL WB1376CLP Legion UI Castle CL ORCF Mary WB SY UI Sparrow (IDO1108DH) WB Xerpha C.V. % LSD (0.05) Average Club Wheat; # No data due to deer feeding; 2 No data due to shattering *Average yield does not include 2016 Mayview trial due to shattering Now, let s get to the results! Newly named entries in the 2016 soft trial were Resilience CL+ (WA 8187), SY Banks (09PN005#25), SY Command (04PN066-7), SY Dayton (09PN062#18) and UI Sparrow (IDO1108DH). Identifiers in parenthesis indicate the breeding line designations under which these varieties were previously tested. New varieties to the soft wheat trial last year were SY Assure, UI Castle CL+, UI Magic CL+, UI Palouse CL+, WB1376CLP and WB1843. New entries in the hard trial were Mandala, Rebelde, SY Touchstone and WB4059CLP. As I ve said before, I m committed to releasing only those trial results that have value for variety selection. Consequently, results from several winter locations were not published last year. The trial at Dusty suffered from severe lodging early in the season, and results were compromised. Ritzville was plagued by a heavy infestation of downy brome. Although the downy brome was controlled by hand-weeding, the damage was already done, and results were too variable to publish. St. Andrews failed to produce meaningful results and was not published. Also note that high winds just prior to harvest caused shattering at Mayview. Entries that shattered were excluded from the tables. If you happen to farm near one of these locations and are interested in the results from last year, feel free to send me an . I d be happy to share the results with you for your personal use, with the understanding the data are limited in value. Most of the 2016 testing locations produced above-average yields with high test weights and moderate grain protein. Last year provided an opportunity to see how varieties compare under near ideal conditions at many locations, whereas 2015 show- WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION This valuable information can help you interpret the results from a given location. Additionally, the Variety Selection Tool (also located on the wheat and small grains website) provides farmers with disease ratings, quality rankings and a two-year average of agronomic traits from VTP locations within a given precipitation zone. The same type of information is also available in the 2017 Washington State Crop Improvement Association Certified Seed Buying Guide, available at washingtoncrop.com. Ryan Higginbotham (right), director of Washington State University s (WSU) Cereal Variety Testing Program, chats with two other WSU extension personnel before the 2016 St. John field day got under way, Tim Murray (center), WSU Extension plant pathologist, and Stephen Van Vleet, WSU Whitman County Extension educator in Agriculture and Natural Resources based in Colfax. WHEAT LIFE MAY

50 WL WGC REPORTS Table WSU Extension Soft White Winter Wheat Variety Trial Summary Precipitation Zone=12-16 Precipitation Zone=<12 WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION ALMIRA ANATONE CRESTON LAMONT REARDAN AVERAGE YIELD 2-YR AVG YIELD AVERAGE TEST WEIGHT AVERAGE PROTEIN Variety Yield (Bu/A) Lb/Bu % Legion SY Command (04PN066-7) Puma Xerpha Bruehl SY Mary Norwest Duet (LOR-092) UI Sparrow (IDO1108DH) ARS-Crescent SY Banks (09PN005#25) UI Castle CL WB-Junction Pritchett (4J C) WB Otto WB Curiosity CL ORCF Madsen WB UI-WSU Huffman Eltan Masami ORCF Coda WB1376CLP UI Magic CL Mela CL UI Palouse CL C.V. % LSD (0.05) Average Club Wheat CONNELL HARRINGTON HORSE HEAVEN LIND AVERAGE YIELD 2-YR AVG YIELD AVERAGE TEST WEIGHT AVERAGE PROTEIN Variety Yield (Bu/A) Lb/Bu % SY Command (04PN066-7) SY Xerpha Puma WB Legion Norwest Duet (LOR-092) Bruehl SY Banks (09PN005#25) UI Sparrow (IDO1108DH) WB1376CLP Mary ORCF Mela CL Otto Madsen Pritchett (4J C) UI-WSU Huffman WB-Junction Curiosity CL ARS-Crescent WB Coda WB UI Palouse CL UI Magic CL Eltan UI Castle CL ORCF Masami C.V. % LSD (0.05) Average cased how varieties perform under subpar conditions. Yield is of the utmost importance when it comes to choosing which varieties to plant on your farm, and while two varieties may perform similarly in the absence of yield-limiting factors like harsh winters, stripe rust, snow mold, etc., you may find big differences when varieties face contentious conditions. In other words, do your homework! That s where the long-term averages come in handy. Ideally, you d plant a variety that s consistently towards the top of the list and avoid varieties that perform great one year but crash the next. End-use quality is another factor farmers need to consider when choosing a variety. You hear that quality matters all the time, but it s especially true for Pacific Northwest (PNW) wheat, where our overseas buyers demand value. The Washington, Oregon and Idaho wheat commissions recently released the 2017 Preferred Wheat Varieties brochure (published in the April 2017 Wheat Life edition and also available on various websites including WSU s small grain website and the WGC s website at wagrains.org). By choosing varieties rated higher for enduse quality and avoiding varieties in the Least Desirable category, you can help maintain the superior quality of our PNW wheat. One final factor that impacts end-use quality, and your bottom line, is falling numbers. Falling number data 50 WHEAT LIFE MAY 2017

51 WGC REPORTS WL Table WSU Extension Hard Winter Wheat Variety Trial Summary Precipitation Zone=>16 Precipitation Zone=12-16 Variety Yield (Bu/A) Lb/Bu % LCS Jet Keldin Norwest Rimrock LCS Colonia LCS Azimut WB-Arrowhead SY Touchstone Whetstone SY Clearstone CL C.V. % LSD (0.05) Average Hard White * No data due to severe rodent feeding DAYTON PULLMAN WALLA WALLA AVERAGE YIELD 2-YR AVG YIELD AVERAGE TEST WEIGHT AVERAGE PROTEIN Precipitation Zone=<12 CONNELL HORSE HEAVEN LIND AVERAGE YIELD 2-YR AVG YIELD AVERAGE TEST WEIGHT AVERAGE PROTEIN Variety Yield (Bu/A) Lb/Bu % LCS Jet Keldin LCS Colonia WB-Arrowhead Earl (WA 8184) SY Clearstone CL Whetstone SY Touchstone Sequoia (WA 8180) Finley Bauermeister Farnum AP503 CL * C.V. % LSD (0.05) Average ALMIRA LAMONT REARDAN AVERAGE YIELD 2-YR AVG YIELD AVERAGE TEST WEIGHT AVERAGE PROTEIN Variety Yield (Bu/A) Lb/Bu % LCS Jet Keldin WB-Arrowhead LCS Colonia Earl (WA 8184) SY Touchstone AP503 CL Bauermeister SY Clearstone CL Farnum Whetstone Sequoia (WA 8180) Finley C.V. % LSD (0.05) Average IRRIGATED MOSES LAKE PASCO AVERAGE YIELD 2-YR AVG YIELD AVERAGE TEST WEIGHT AVERAGE PROTEIN Variety ---Yield (Bu/A)--- Lb/Bu % LCS Jet LCS Aymeric LCS Azimut Mandala LCS Colonia SY Touchstone LCS Evina Rebelde WB-Arrowhead Norwest Keldin Whetstone Esperia WB4059CLP Rimrock C.V. % LSD (0.05) Average WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION on grain collected from the VTP trials can be found at steberlab.org/project7599.php. I hope to see you at one of our field tours this summer, and as always, feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns or suggestions you might have via at rhigginbotham@wsu.edu or by phone at (509) Acknowledgements: Funding for the WSU Extension Uniform Cereal Variety Testing Program is provided by the Washington Grain Commission. Variety trials are made possible by the contribution of land and time from farmer cooperators where the trials are located. WHEAT LIFE MAY

52 WHEAT WATCH WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION Wheat market still on life support By Mike Krueger The headline in my last article for Wheat Life was A Glimmer of Hope in the Wheat Market? That glimmer is still out there, but it hasn t yet turned into a ray of hope. The primary reason for optimism in the wheat market is that planted wheat acres in the U.S. will be the smallest since the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) started to keep records back in The USDA confirmed that small wheat acreage number in their March 31 planting intentions estimate. Winter wheat plantings were revised slightly higher from the USDA s January forecast, but spring wheat acres were smaller than most were expecting. North Dakota is projected to plant 600,000 fewer acres of spring wheat and 310,000 fewer acres of durum. Montana rescued the spring wheat acreage number by planting 450,000 more acres than last year. Soybeans will replace spring wheat and durum acres in North Dakota and western Minnesota. Spring wheat is replacing winter wheat in Montana. Map 1 shows winter wheat planting intentions by state with the change from last year. Note that there was very little change across the Pacific Northwest except in Montana, where farmers planted 350,000 fewer acres of winter wheat. Map 2 shows other spring wheat planting intentions compared to Other spring wheat includes hard red spring and spring planted white wheat. Again, Map 1: 2017 winter wheat planted area (000) Acres and change from previous year Map 2: 2017 other spring wheat planted area (000) Acres and change from previous year USDA-NASS USDA-NASS note that the Pacific Northwest states of Washington, Oregon and Idaho show little change in wheat planting intentions, but Montana will replace most of the reduction in winter wheat acres with spring wheat acres. Note that other spring wheat acres will also be a record low in The April USDA supply/demand numbers again added to the U.S. wheat ending supply estimate. The feed/residual usage was reduced by 35 million bushels. Imports were also reduced by 5 million bushels. The net effect was a 30 million bushel increase in wheat-ending supplies. Ending supplies are 52 WHEAT LIFE MAY 2017

53 WHEAT WATCH WL now projected to be billion bushels. It is noteworthy that the USDA reduced the feed usage numbers for both wheat and corn in their April report despite the fact livestock numbers are well above year-ago levels. The good news for markets is that we are about to put the 2016/17 marketing year behind us. That was a year of record wheat, corn and soybean production and expanding ending supplies. The May USDA supply/demand report will be the first to look at the potential 2017/18 marketing year. These numbers will be a bit more optimistic for wheat and corn prices because of the projected significant reductions in planted acres. That will mean reduced production of corn and wheat even if we match last year s record yields. Table 1 is a very early estimate of what the U.S. wheat supply and demand might look like in the new marketing year compared to the current year that ends on May 31. The two most important numbers in this supply and demand estimate are the yield and the export forecast. The trend line wheat yield would be 47 bushels per acre. Last year s record yield of 52.6 bushels per acre has to be considered an anomaly. We have left the export forecast unchanged from the current year. Wheat production in 2017 will be nearly 500 million bushels less than last year. Ending supplies under this scenario would decline to 869 million bushels. If the yield should fall below trend, ending supplies could decline to less than 800 million bushels. That is not a bearish number from current price levels. It will, as always, be all about yield. There have been some concerns about weather and wheat yields. The Pacific Northwest continues to suffer from too much rain. Conditions have been extremely wet, and it s been a struggle to get spring crops planted. Established winter crops look good. It also appears producers in this region are still switching acres from spring wheat to chickpeas (garbanzos). The southern Plains had been very dry, but late March rains cured much of that problem. There are now increasing reports of disease starting to surface. Northern hemisphere production trends outside the U.S. will, of course, be very important. Nearly every major wheat exporting country had record or near record crops in Competition in the world export market will remain difficult if that is repeated again in It is still too early to accurately assess the world 2017 wheat crop prospects, but there are a few potential trouble spots outside the U.S. Very wet conditions are slowing planting progress across Canada. Much of the EU has had a very dry spring, and crop ratings have been declining. It has been a cold and wet start to the spring season in Russia and parts of the Ukraine. Table 1: U.S. wheat supply and demand (million bushels) 2016/17 USDA 2017/18 guess Planted Acres Harvested Acres Yield Production 2,310 1,833 Imports Carry in 976 1,159 Total Supply 3,395 3,102 Food Seed Feed/Residual Exports 1,025 1,025 Total Use 2,236 2,233 Ending Supplies 1, U.S. corn ending supplies should also decline from the current marketing year because farmers said they intend to reduce corn plantings by 4 million acres. The odds of achieving another record corn yield must be somewhat doubtful. How many consecutive years will weather be perfect? Soybeans could be under additional price pressure into the early summer. That expectation is based on farmers intentions to plant 6 million more soybean acres than in That many additional planted acres provides the soy bean market a nice yield cushion as the growing season begins. Mike Krueger is president and founder of The Money Farm, a grain advisory service located in Fargo, N.D. A licensed commodity broker, Krueger is a past director of the Minneapolis Grain Exchange and a senior analyst for World Perspectives, a Washington, D.C., agricultural consulting group. WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION WHEAT LIFE MAY

54 WL FEATURE No water, no-till? No problem DESPITE NAYSAYERS, DOUGLAS COUNTY FARMER DELVES INTO NO-TILL They told Douglas Poole he couldn t do it. North Douglas County was not the place for no-till agriculture. Between its sandy loam soils and its Cascades rain shadow precipitation, one of the lowest in Washington state, you just couldn t make a go of it. Everybody said you couldn t do no-till here because you couldn t get the moisture, Poole said, but he wasn t swayed. We didn t believe someone when they said it wouldn t work. Poole was going up not only against received wisdom, but his family s own experience. His father tried to implement no-till 30 years ago and failed. Today, he and 10 other nearby producers in the Dyer Hill area near Mansfield, Wash., are proving that no-till can work effectively in extremely dry zones. As of 2016, the Poole family s cultivated acreage was entirely in no-till. Only around 1,000 conventionally tilled acres remain in the immediate area. Poole is also demonstrating that the practice opens doors for crop rotations and crop diversification that improve farm economics in significant ways. The tide s turning, Poole said. With no-till s superior capacity to soak in precipitation, we have just as much moisture as anyone else, if not more. Poole actually walked in the steps of his uncle, the original of the four local producers employing the practice. The godfather, he quipped. Everyone thought he was a nut case. Now he s on his fifth rotation. Poole has reached his fourth. If I could stress anything, it took four or five of us. One of us could not have done it by ourselves. I wouldn t be where I am today without my uncle. Poole farms 11,000 dryland acres with a typical annual precipitation of seven to nine inches. The operation also runs cattle on another 10,000 acres. The main crops are soft white wheat in winter and spring rotations for the export market. No-till is also allowing diversification into canola and sunflowers. Typically half of the cultivated land is in fallow. Chem fallow is employed, but Poole aims to move entirely away from fallowing over the next decade with cover cropping. He is one of the region s early adopters of cover crops. The operation also makes use of biosolids, which Poole s father pioneered in Douglas County. 54 WHEAT LIFE MAY 2017

55 FEATURE WL Farming with a light touch No-till is characterized by minimal soil disturbance. Instead of planting seed in furrows cut into the ground, the practice employs a drill. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) enabled Poole to buy his first drill in It was one of the original NRCS energy incentive grants, reflecting the advantage of fewer tractor passes required in no-till. The grant also supported cover cropping and crop rotations. A 2015 grant under the NRCS air quality initiative has now enabled full no-till conversion of the Poole spread. It changed how I farm. I get more Saturdays now, Poole said. He estimates he spends only a tenth of the time on the tractor as he once did. But he also spends more time researching, explaining that you ve got to be willing to study and change and even lose sleep over questions such as the best choice of seed drill. There are endless options. One large, no-till challenge is the upfront investment costs of conversion. EQIP helped, but Poole had to put substantial capital in as well. Poole places the cost of his two drills at $425,000. The problem often is selling the proposition to the banker. The central value of no-till is rebuilding soil organic matter, which long-term conventional farming has sharply depleted. Organic matter acts like glue, holding water and nutrients in the soil and binding the soil against erosive buffeting by wind and rainfall. We want the stubble and residue to stay. Walking through a field, Poole kicked at residue to show its depth. That s what I like. We beat this soil for 100 years. I feel like I m getting the soil live again Our dream is to get earthworms, to show the soil is healthy. Poole is fighting the legacies of the past, when erosion dragged dirt off ridges. It has stark impacts on production. His combine monitors record 10 bushels per acre along some of the depleted ridgelines, contrasted with 90 on some of the bottomlands. Poole recounted a recent downpour, one inch in something like 40 minutes, which left a no-till hill on his land undisturbed while precipitation penetrated three inches into his soil. The same rainfall left small lakes in surrounding areas and washed soil off a nearby producer s hill. He can also recall several blustery wind events in which he couldn t see his shop from his house just a few yards away. It reminded Poole of the 1930s Dust Bowl. It s going to look that way if guys don t start converting, he said. It s wellknown that you don t see our hill blow anymore. Story by Patrick Mazza Photos by Alex Garland WHEAT LIFE MAY

56 WL FEATURE Diversity and cover crops The improved soil health on the Poole spread has opened the way for crop diversification, which provides a hedge against low wheat prices. We are able to do things other guys can t because we are able to retain moisture, Poole said. It is fascinating. As we move into no-till, the doors that open are endless. One of those open doors is the cultivation of canola, which Poole describes as finicky. Poole plants around 1,100 acres in rotation with wheat. The 2013 opening of the Pacific Coast Canola crusher at Warden, Wash., has made a market for this oilseed crop, which is sold as high-value food oil and as a biofuel feedstock. Crushing also produces high-protein meal for animal feed, an added value in a region that has to import much of this product. Prices on canola have varied, and along with them, canola production in Washington state. In 2013, peak acreage was 61,200 acres, while in 2015 that figure was down to 37,400 according to numbers from the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Whatever the price, Poole intends to keep canola in rotation. In fact, he aims to set up rotations so winter wheat will never be repeated on the same field three times in a row. Canola breaks up pest and disease cycles, cleans up weeds such as goat grass and improves soil fertility by diversifying root structures. The outcome is significantly increased wheat yields on the next rotation. Poole says canola improves per-acre yields bushels over neighboring farmers and even in dry years, 10. Another crop diversification strategy employed on the Poole place is sunflowers for bird seed. Poole said the guy who sold him seed was skeptical due to the seven-inch rainfall, but a crop grown in 2015 s extraordinarily dry conditions yielded plants six-to-eightfeet tall just on accumulated moisture. An additional attraction of the sunflower crop is its capacity to break up hardpan. Poole deals with a fourto-five-inch layer on some of his land, and this prevents nutrients from penetrating. With increased soil moisture, cover crops are also possible. Poole is one of the region s advanced explorers in dryland cover cropping, employing them as an alternative to chem fallow. Cover crops are intended not for market, 56 WHEAT LIFE MAY 2017

57 These dollars will be used to support candidates that understand what is critical to our industry and the livelihood of our members Political advocacy is something many of us think we can never get involved in; the Washington Wheat PAC is out to change that. The Washington Wheat PAC is a nonpartisan political action committee that is dedicated to supporting ag-friendly candidates. The Washington Wheat PAC pledges to promote and support elected officials from all parts of the state that positively influence agriculture. Why Support the Washington Wheat PAC? Washington farmers are losing ground politically! The ability to protect our interests is slowly dwindling. Washington wheat producers need elected officials who know and understand the industry. Without these relationships our ability to remain competitive is at risk. During the legislative session, thousands of bills are introduced; many not favorable to farming. Now is the time for the industry to join together and proactively influence legislation that directly impacts the Washington wheat producer. Please join our efforts by financially supporting the Washington Wheat PAC. Your contribution will strengthen the network of elected officials who understand the wheat industry s goals and objectives by fighting for what is critical to the livelihood of our members. Protect your interests by supporting farm-friendly candidates who can make a difference in Olympia. Yes, I would like to join with the Washington Wheat PAC s vision and support their actions with my donation. When you make a donation to the Washington Wheat PAC, you are investing in the future of agriculture in Washington State. Please send form along with payment to PO Box 184, Ritzville, WA Checks should be made out to the Washington Wheat PAC.

58 WL FEATURE but to build soil health. As of 2016, Poole has implemented covers on more than 2,000 acres. In spring, Poole plants sunflowers, millet, sorghum and red clover, a nitrogen fixer. Summer cover crops are oats and sorghum. Poole is finding success with fall cover crops that include winter triticale, peas, radishes, oats and canola. Crops provide animal feed. A concern about dryland cover cropping is the impact on moisture retention. Typically, cover crops have been planted in regions with strong summer precipitation, a contrast with the drier summers of the Pacific Northwest. Poole is hot on cover crops because you can rebuild the soil with organic matter. We let the variation and diversity of roots do tillage for us. Do the math, Poole said. If fertilizer costs $50 per acre and he can cut that in half with cover cropping, it makes the business case. And he finds the practice can actually increase soil moisture, allaying concerns whether cover cropping can work in dryland conditions. By pushing out weeds, cover crops reduce the need to spray herbicides. Poole contrasts an $8.50-$9 spray cost with an equivalent of $7 for cover crops. He aims to reduce and eventually eliminate spraying and completely phase out fallow over the next decade. Besides saving on spray, cover crops provide an additional value proposition fodder for the cattle on the Poole spread. Cover cropping farmers can also sell seed to each other. Building up the soil with biosolids Poole s father and two neighboring producers pioneered the use of biosolids in their area. Back in 1992, he, his dad and uncles formed Boulder Park Inc., now one of the nation s largest, farmer-owned biosolids cooperative. Biosolids are a product of municipal sewage treatment that is thoroughly processed to remove contaminants and pathogens. Boulder Park now draws biosolids from 32 sources to serve 130 producers managing 75,000 acres in Douglas County. The company provides regular testing to make sure safety standards are met. Biosolids applications dovetail with cover crops to build soil carbon and fertility. Poole spreads biosolids ahead of the seed drill, which then pushes them into the soil, retaining nutrients longer. Applications must be limited though; because biosolids are so nutrient-rich, they can burn crops. Applied over time, biosolids build soil carbon and nitrogen, making it available to plants in ways that are superior to inorganic nitrogen fertilizer. Washington State University soil scientists have extensively studied the results on a test plot at the Poole farm, finding wheat crop yields with better germination and survival and lower soil erosion. Improved crop density increases moisture retention and reduces weeds, which in turn cuts herbicide use. The Poole operation employs a three-zone application for precision fertilizer, though it is more challenging for biosolids applications, he said. Poole carefully targets chemical applications. His sprayers use automatic guidance to direct spray application in blocks of 10x10 feet. The Pooles found when they added guidance a few years back that some areas had been oversprayed by 30 to 35 percent. Between no-till, cover cropping, diversification to crops such as canola and sunflowers, precision agriculture and biosolids applications, the Poole farm is an exemplar of agricultural innovation. Poole believes he is only at the early stages of exploring the synergies. Every time we turn around, there s something new. It s like spokes in a wheel. We can t get at all of them. We are on a learning curve to figure out how to put them all together. This article, which has been edited for length, is one in a series of farmer profiles produced by the Regional Approaches to Climate Change (REACCH) project. The full series is at reacchpna.org/producer-profiles. Initiated in 2011 by an interdisciplinary team of scientists and professionals with funding from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture s Climate Variability and Change Program, the five-year project seeks to ensure sustainable cereal production in the inland Pacific Northwest under the risks of regional climate change. The main REACCH institutions are the University of Idaho (lead institution), Oregon State University, Washington State University and the Agricultural Research Service. More information can be found at reacchpna.org. REAL ESTATE AUCTIONS 2,000+/- Acres w/ Improvements 5 m. south of Bickleton, WA. CRP, grazing, wind energy potential Multi-parcel auction: May 25, 2017 Home & Garage/Shop, 13 ac. & Barn; 450+/- ac. Dry Pasture, Washtucna, WA Multi-parcel auction: June 1, 2017 Bidding requires prequalification 10% buyer s premium More info online kincaidrealestate.com C.D. Butch Booker, Managing Broker/ Auctioneer 809 N. Main, Colfax, WA Licensed in Wash. kincaidre@colfax.com On the web: kincaidrealestate.com VISIT US AT MORE INTERACTIVE AG NEWS 58 WHEAT LIFE MAY 2017

59 HANDLE BULK SEED THE EASY WAY Seed, Fertilizer & Chemical Application Equipment AGPRO designs the drill to YOUR specs.. Three Drill Frame Designs! Two Opener Styles! Four Seed/Fertilizer Point Options! Seed Boxes from bushel! Easy-on-off with one pin Fast efficient handling of bulk Remote controlled hydraulic motor Spring assisted lift for easy operations Long reach 6 auger and 14.5 telescoping spout Drill Widths up to 53 Feet! Ultra-Low Disturbance Cross Slot Openers! Drill Frames with 2 or 3 Ranks and High Flotation Tires Call for details at Airway Ave. agpro@agproinc.com Lewiston, ID E. E. Boone boone Ave. Ave Spokane, WA NorthwestGrainAugers.com NwGrainAugers.com TANKERS IN STOCK Proven, two-piece barrel design with a single circumferential seam Industry s widest sheet material minimizes barrel seams Designed for ease of operation and simple maintenance Your One-Stop Tanker Shop In the Northwest Parts Sales Service 1206 E. Lytle Street Pasco, WA Tank Model Shown: 7,000 Gallon 2-Compartment Tank Deep Drop Stainless Steel Trailer WHEAT LIFE MAY

60 THE BOTTOM LINE Down-on-the-farm succession planning By Paul Fitzpatrick Attorney, Foster Pepper PLLC The general statistics for the success of businesses have limited application to the family farm. It is difficult, if not impractical, to start a family farm. The capital commitments can require significant amounts of funding real estate acreage, infrastructure, equipment and time lags of three years or more before a productive crop can be harvested. All businesses are subject to market and other factors beyond an owner s control. The family farm has to constantly deal with factors over which it has absolutely no influence. These include, but are not limited to, government programs, customers preferences, legislative and regulatory impediments, crop prices, world demand and, of course, MOTHER NATURE!! Viability of the family farm may also depend on: Having adequate cash reserves to weather any one or more of the factors noted above; Having adequate cash flow and the ability to leverage the operation for cash flow needs; Having a sustainable market to which you can sell your grain; Dependency upon an association or government entity to market your grain; Political influences; and Your willingness to invest in new technology to remain competitive. After going through the work, time and money to build up a successful agricultural business, how do you make sure it survives the transition to the next generation? It s dependent upon having a succession plan in place. Putting this plan in place is a process of establishing goals, evaluating people and risks and developing a strategy that is then implemented. Every farm owner needs to establish the who, what, where and when of its business succession plan. These must be tied to appropriate financial, retirement and tax and estate planning strategies. Planning for succession of the family farm should be done early at least 5 to 10 years before the transition. Sponsored by the Agricultural Marketing & Management Organization. For more information and a schedule of classes visit wawg.org/ammo-workshops/ One of the biggest hurdles for any family farm has been to address the differences between participating and nonparticipating owners. Sooner or later the nonparticipating owners are going to feel that the value is not being shared fairly. The value of the real estate, improvements and equipment is perceived to have significant value and to be readily marketable, yet the rate of return is often barely more than what can be realized on long-term money market accounts, if that. Generally, nonparticipating owners have a limited understanding of the cost and maintenance of a successful farm operation. If you have nonparticipating owners, it is imperative that there be constant communication of not just the cost, but also the effort to maintain the entire operation and its productivity. As with any business, how do you establish the best person to take over the operation? It is more than being a good farmer. It requires a strong understanding of financial and accounting systems. An important skill is a good public relations attitude what can I do to communicate with and establish a long-term rapport with the nonparticipating owners? Participating family owners need to establish ways to assure the future with retirement planning, farm leases, input from nonparticipating owners and change of control between generations. These must be fair agreements as to the transition between generations. How is it best to transfer the farm gifts, purchase and sale agreements, long-term leases, voting versus nonvoting interests, real estate vs. operational aspects of the business? Should the nonparticipating family members receive any of the farm? Consider whether there are adequate resources to transfer value from your estate to nonparticipating family without splitting ownership of farm assets so that there is a fair end result. While estate tax for properly structured operations may not be an issue, sometimes the acquisition of life insurance for distribution to nonparticipating family rather than the farm is a sound solution if the insurance is affordable. Remember, equal is NOT possible. Fairness should be your driving factor. This requires early and consistent education of all potential heirs. 60 WHEAT LIFE MAY 2017

61 THE BOTTOM LINE WL How willing are you to transfer management and control of the farm? Most owners of any business are reluctant to do so. You can create a buy-sell agreement that is effective now, but will not trigger until some future event such as disability, retirement or the death of the current owner. It needs to be fair and should consider the sweat equity that the participating owner(s) has given over time. It may be appropriate to require the prospective new owner to acquire certain education or outside work experience before taking ownership of the business. Factors to consider in creating a fair buy-sell agreement are: Price; Payment terms including rate of interest; S-Corp statutory constraints; and Restrictions on the transfer of shares. What sort of entity structure is most appropriate for the business? Often, one entity is created for operations and is solely owned by the active owner. Another entity is created to own the real estate and improvements so that all owners active or not may own an interest. Who has the ability to break tie votes? Should active owners be the manager of the real estate and improvements? There are many farm families who have successfully transitioned their farms to the next generation. It takes a long-term commitment and utilization of appropriate advisors to succeed. Now is the time to take the first step. Paul D. Fitzpatrick has more than 35 years of legal practice in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. He has worked with families to preserve and transition assets and businesses to successive generations. He is an accredited estate planner with the National Association of Estate Planning Councils and can be reached at (509) or at paul.fitzpatrick@foster.com. Cultivating $$$ POMEROY GRAIN GROWERS Serving farmers for over 85 years...for Your Business! Don t let cash stand in your way. Our Loan Officers provide local personal service with flexible terms. We are right there with you to make your future greener. Stop by a SBNW branch or call today! Pomeroy Grain Growers, Inc. Pomeroy Grain Office Pomeroy Agronomy Farm Commodities-Colfax Garfield Branch, 301 W. California St Northpointe Spokane Branch, 9727 N. Nevada Spokane Valley Branch, E. Sprague WHEAT LIFE MAY

62 (Above) Winter wheat seeding by A&G Farms in Tekoa. Photo by Adam Smith. (Right) Little Ledgerwood brothers and sisters visiting their big brothers in the harvest field for lunch on Ledgerwood Farms in Pomeroy. (Front row from left) Josiah (5), Mackinzie (3), Brooklyn (3) and Cayle (7). (Back from left) Josh (18) and Tristen (16) holding Aubree (3). Photo by Micki Ledgerwood. A winter scene outside Harrington. Photo by Stacey Timm-Rasmussen.

63 Your wheat life... Carmen Fruh (7) checking seeding depth to make sure her dad, Bill Fruh, is doing it right at L&M Ranches near Pomeroy. Photo by Bill Fruh. (Above) Derek (11) and Darin (9) Repp help their grandfather, Randy Repp, unload a truck load of wheat near Dusty. Photo by Kristin Repp. (Right) Austin Lasz (4) waiting for his dad, Dustin Lasz, to pick him up for a ride at J & D Lasz Farms in Fairfield. Photo by Brittany Lasz.

64 HAPPENINGS All dates and times are subject to change. Please verify event before heading out. MAY JUNIOR LIVESTOCK SHOW OF SPOKANE. Spokane County Fair and Expo Center. juniorshow.org 6-7 RENAISSANCE FAIR. Music, entertainment, food, arts and crafts and maypole dances. East City Park, Moscow, Idaho. moscowrenfair.org 7 BLOOMSDAY. Spokane, Wash. bloomsdayrun.com 9 WAWG BOARD MEETING. Meeting starts at 10 a.m. at Washington Wheat Foundation Building, Ritzville, Wash. (509) , wawg.org 12 MAIFEST. Flowers, music, entertainment, parade. Leavenworth, Wash. leavenworth.org WINTHROP 49ER DAYS. Parade, rendezvous party, Sat. dinner, Sunday cowboy breakfast. Winthrop, Wash. winthropwashington.com/event/49er-days WASHINGTON GRAIN COMMISSION BOARD MEETING. Spokane, Wash. (509) WILD GOOSE BILL DAYS. Parade, fun run, vendors and food. Wilbur, Wash. wilburwachamber.org SELAH COMMUNITY DAYS. Carnival, poker run, potato feed, arts and crafts. Selah, Wash. selahdays.org WAITSBURG CELEBRATION DAYS. Parade, auto show. Waitsburg, Wash. cityofwaitsburg.com/events.html 20 SPOKANE LILAC FESTIVAL. Car show, parade. spokanelilacfestival.org/ 20 SNAKE RIVER FAMILY FESTIVAL. Exhibits, children s activities, music and food. Boyer Park and Marina down river from Lower Granite Lock and Dam on the Snake River, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. facebook.com/snakeriverfamilyfestival/ TOUCHET RIVER ROUNDUP. Woody s world famous pig roast, Chili feed, camping, dancing, kids games. Registration required. Fairgrounds in Waitsburg, Wash. snafubar.com/pigroast/ LAST STAND RODEO. Cowboy breakfast, 5k run, rodeos. Coulee City, Wash. laststandrodeo.com MULE MANIA. Chuck wagon cook-off, entertainment, parade. Dayton, Wash MOSES LAKE SPRING FESTIVAL. Three on three basketball tournament, 5k and 10k run, car show, parade, carnival, beer garden. Moses Lake, Wash. moseslakespringfestival.com METHOW VALLEY RODEO. Saddle bronc, bareback, bulls, barrel racing, team roping, junior events. Held at rodeo grounds, halfway between Twisp and Winthrop. methowvalleyrodeo.com 29 WAITSBURG MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATION. Local veterans give a presentation at the city cemetery. Waitsburg, Wash. cityofwaitsburg.com/events.html JUNE ROSALIA BATTLE DAYS. Fun run, parade, car show, rodeo, vendors and food. Rosalia, Wash. rosaliabattledays.com 3 REARDAN MULE DAYS. Three on three basketball tournament, craft fair, poker ride, 5k and 10k runs, parade. Reardan, Wash. reardanmuledays.net 6 WSU VARIETY TESTING CROP TOUR. Horse Heaven, Wash., at 8 a.m. For information call Ryan Higginbotham at (509) or variety.wsu.edu 7 WSU VARIETY TESTING CROP TOUR. Ritzville, Wash., at 3 p.m. For information call Aaron Esser at (509) or variety.wsu.edu 8 WSU VARIETY TESTING CROP TOUR. Western Whitman County-LaCrosse, Wash., at 9:30 a.m. For info call Steve Van Vleet at (509) or variety.wsu.edu 8 WSU VARIETY TESTING CROP TOUR. Connell, Wash., at 5 p.m. For information call Ryan Higginbotham at (509) or variety.wsu.edu 9-11 PROSPECTORS DAYS. Pan for real gold! Three on three basketball tournament, 10k run, logging and mining competitions. Republic, Wash. prospectorsdays.com 9-11 DEMOLITION DERBY EXTRAVAGANZA. Combine demolition derby, parade, barbecue. Lind, Wash. lindwa.com/lind sweekend.html JUNIOR LIVESTOCK SHOW. Area youth show off their prized animals at the fairgrounds. Waitsburg, Wash. cityofwaitsburg.com/events.html 13 WAWG BOARD MEETING. Meeting starts at 10 a.m. at Washington Wheat Foundation Building, Ritzville, Wash. (509) , wawg.org 13 PENDLETON STATION FIELD DAY. Event begins at 7:30 a.m. at Pendleton Station on Tubbs Ranch Road outside Pendleton, Ore. Call Mary Corp at (541) or cbarc.aes.oregonstate.edu/ 14 JUNE SHOOT. Washington Wheat Foundation sporting clays fundraiser. Landt Farms in Nine Mile Falls, Wash. wawheat.org 14 MORO FIELD DAY. Event begins at 7:30 a.m. at Sherman Station on Lone Rock Road outside Moro, Ore. For information call Mary Corp at (541) or cbarc.aes.oregonstate.edu/ 14 WSU WEED SCIENCE. Pullman, Wash., at 1 p.m. For info call Drew Lyon at (509) or variety.wsu.edu 14 WSU VARIETY TESTING CROP TOUR. Harrington, Wash., at 4 p.m. For information call Diana Roberts at (509) or variety.wsu.edu 15 LIND FIELD DAY. Event begins at 8:30 a.m. at the WSU Dryland Research Center in Lind, Wash. For information call Bill Schillinger at (509) or smallgrains.wsu.edu 16 WSU VARIETY TESTING CROP TOUR. St. Andrews, Wash., at 5 p.m. For information call Dale Whaley at (509) or variety.wsu.edu ALL WHEELS WEEKEND. Car show, golf tournament, fireworks, music. Dayton, Wash. allwheelsweekend.com/ SLIPPERY GULCH DAYS. Chamber breakfast, fun run, tractor show, parade, fishing derby, fireworks. Tekoa, Wash. slipperygulch.com WENATCHEE RIVER BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL. Adult, children workshops, food vendors. Chelan County Expo Center in Cashmere, Wash. cashmerecoffeehouse.com/wrbfest.htm 20 WSU VARIETY TESTING CROP TOUR. Mayview, Wash., at 9 a.m. For information call Mark Heitstuman at (509) or variety.wsu.edu 20 WSU VARIETY TESTING CROP TOUR. Eureka, Wash., at 3 p.m. For information call Ryan Higginbotham at (509) or variety.wsu.edu 64 WHEAT LIFE MAY 2017

65 21 WSU VARIETY TESTING CROP TOUR. Cereals at Walla Walla, Wash., at 1 p.m. For info call Paul Carter at (509) or variety.wsu.edu 22 WSU VARIETY TESTING CROP TOUR. Cereals, legumes at Dayton, Wash., at 8 a.m. For info, Paul Carter at (509) or variety.wsu.edu 22 WSU VARIETY TESTING CROP TOUR. Anatone, Wash., at 3:30 p.m. For information call Mark Heitstuman at (509) or variety.wsu.edu 24 ST-JEAN-BAPTISTE DAY CEL- EBRATION. Tour of Hudson Bay Farm, Prince s cabin, restoration project. Potato bar, entertainment. Frenchtown Historic Site, Walla Walla, Wash. frenchtownwa.org/upcoming-events/ 27 WSU VARIETY TESTING CROP TOUR. Irrigated plot in Moses Lake, Wash., at 8 a.m. For information call Andy McGuire at (509) or variety.wsu.edu 27 UofI/LIMAGRAIN VARIETY TESTING CROP TOUR. Moscow, Idaho, at 8:30 a.m. For info call Debbie Rigby at (208) or variety.wsu.edu 27 WSU VARIETY TESTING CROP TOUR. Almira, Wash., at 3 p.m. For information call Diana Roberts at (509) or variety.wsu.edu 28 WSU VARIETY TESTING CROP TOUR. Reardan, Wash., at 7 a.m. For information call Diana Roberts at (509) or variety.wsu.edu 23 WILKE FARM SOIL WORKSHOP. Davenport, Wash., at 9:30 a.m. For information call Aaron Esser at (509) or wilkefarm.wsu.edu 29 WSU VARIETY TESTING CROP TOUR. Fairfield, Wash., at 7 a.m. For information call Diana Roberts at (509) or variety.wsu.edu Paying for education is as simple as 529 Whether your children are in grade school or high school, they ll be leaving for college before you know it. And with the cost of a college education rising every year, now is the time to prepare for that day. At Edward Jones, we can help design an education savings strategy to fit your needs. One option is a 529 college savings plan. It allows anyone, regardless of age or income, to contribute. Earnings accumulate tax free, and in some cases, contributions are eligible for a state tax deduction or credit. As the owner of a 529 plan, you control the funds and can change beneficiaries to another eligible family member at any time. Even better is that withdrawals for many education expenses are free from federal and, in most cases, state income tax. To learn how a 529 college savings plan can make sense for your children, call or visit today. The earnings portion of withdrawals used for expenses other than qualified education expenses may be subject to federal and state taxes, plus a 10% penalty. There may be state tax incentives available to in-state residents who invest in their home state s 529 plan. Student and parental assets and income are considered when applying for financial aid. Generally, a 529 plan is considered an asset of the parent, which may be an advantage over saving in the student s name. Make sure you discuss the potential financial aid impacts with a financial aid professional. Tax issues for 529 plans can be complex. Please consult your tax advisor about your situation. Edward Jones, its financial advisors and employees cannot provide tax or legal advice. Hank Worden Financial Advisor 109 S. Second Ave Walla Walla, WA Greg Bloom Mike Wallace Financial Advisor Financial Advisor Professional Mall I I 1721 W. Kennewick Ave. Ste. 2C 1260 SE Bishop Blvd. Ste. C Kennewick, WA Pullman, WA Terry A. Sliger Financial Advisor 1329 Aaron Drive Richland, WA Submissions Listings must be received by the 10th of each month for the next month s Wheat Life. listings to editor@wawg.org. Include date, time and location of event, plus contact info and a short description. Joy Behen Financial Advisor 6115 Burden Blvd., Ste. A Pasco, WA Jay Mlazgar AAMS Financial Advisor 609 S. Washington Ste. 203 Moscow, ID Chris Grover AAMS Financial Advisor 1835 First Street Cheney, WA Brian E. Bailey AAMS Financial Advisor 303 Bridge Street Ste 3 Clarkston, WA Ryan Brault CFP Financial Advisor 3616 W. Court St. Ste. I Pasco, WA Member SIPC WHEAT LIFE MAY

66 Advertiser Index Ag Trucks & Equipment AGPRO...59 Albaugh LLC... 9 ATI Solutions LLC BASF Blue Mountain Realtors...39 Butch Booker Auction...58 Byrnes Oil Co...59 Central City Scale...29 Central Life Sciences Class 8 Trucks...40 CO Energy...35 Coldwell Banker Tomlinson...37 Country Financial...28 Diesel & Machine...35 Dowland Spray Systems...37 Edward Jones...65 Evergreen Implement Inc...29 Farm & Home Supply...23 Great Plains Equipment... 7 Jess Auto...32 Kincaid Real Estate...58 Landmark Native Seed...36 Les Schwab Tire Centers...67 Nicks Handmade Boots...29 Northwest Farm Credit Services..23 Northwest Farmland Management...39 Nufarm...22 ORO-AGRI... 5 OXARC...33 Perkins & Zlatich PS...36 Pioneer West...28 PNW Farmers Cooperative...35 Pomeroy Grain Growers Inc Rainier Seeds...33 RH Machine...29 Rock Steel Structures...40 Spectrum Crop Development...39 SS Equipment...37 State Bank Northwest Strut Collar...39 T & S Sales...37, 59 Tankmax Inc...59 The Concrete Doctor The McGregor Co Walter Implement...39 Wilbur-Ellis Early April found Vincent Evans deep into spring field work on Steve Taylor Farms in Adams County.

67 YOUR FARM TIRE HEADQUARTERS FARM TIRES FORKLIFT TIRES ATV TRUCK AG BATTERIES LES SCHWAB CARRIES BATTERIES FOR ALL YOUR AGRICULTURAL APPLICATIONS! TRACKS BUILT FOR LES SCHWAB COUNTRY WIDTHS FOR ALL MAKES: JOHN DEERE, CASE, CAT & AGCO WE ALSO CARRY RUBBER TRACKS FOR MINI-EXCAVATORS & SKID STEER MACHINES. 24-HOUR ON-THE-FARM SERVICE OVER 470 STORES THROUGHOUT THE WEST!

68 EradicatE MEdiocrity Are Average Yields Good Enough for Your Farm? McGregor Research Station Field Tours June 2017 Colfax & Hooper WA Limited Seating Contact a McGregor Certified Crop Adviser for available dates & seating. Pesticide credits, blue sky, and sunshine applied for. ATTEND one of the top-rated applied research tours in the region HEAR about practical farm research focused on increasing yield, quality, AND profitability for PNW growers WITNESS synergistic effects of enhanced fertilizing techniques ACHIEVE more with fewer of your fertilizer dollars DEDICATED PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT FARM FAMILIES ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT ABOUT THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE Follow Our Research