Drought conditions affecting most wheat farmers

RITZVILLE — Drought conditions affected most Eastern Washington wheat farmers during this past growing season.

While statewide yields are down by 40%, the North-Central region is down by 50%. Wheat production remains the same at 2.3 million acres, officials said. Moreover, 2021 yields plummeted to 39.1 bushels per acre, down from 72.4 bushels in 2020.

Official statewide data is being released in December.

The lack of rainfall is causing high protein content in soft white wheat, according to Michelle Hennings, Washington Wheat Growers executive direcgtor. She said one of the best actions farmers can take is to buy crop insurance for uncertain times.

The Washington Wheat Grower’s Association is advocating for a national ad hoc disaster program that includes quality loss of protein, Hennings said. The program requires a 5% or more loss to qualify.

For optimum quality, it is best for soft white protein content to remain under 10.5%. The regional average is 11.3%.

The Adams County area falls under the 25.2% in the exceptional drought category, according to the U.S. Drought monitor. The biggest concern this year was not having enough moisture to seed. There has not been enough rainfall to improve drought conditions.

“This year was very challenging and caused hardship on most farmers,” Hennings said.

Prices are good in comparison to last year, soft white wheat nearly doubled. In October 2020, soft white wheat prices were on average $5.87 per bushel and have since risen to $10 per bushel by the beginning of October.

The price of wheat nearly doubled, but it doesn’t seem to be affecting wheat industry workers. Not only are wheat industry workers considered as essential, but many work on family owned farms that employee no more than five people.

Significant improvements are not forecasted for this year, wheat officials said. Many farmers are optimistic that conditions will slowly improve across the region.

“What really matters is the spring moisture. Chances are things are going to be better this year.” Northwest Grain Growers Senior Merchandiser Byron Behne said.

Winter wheat on summer fallow had a better moisture profile than others, Behne said. This is the first year some companies got a discount for having higher protein content than in previous years.