Whitman County crop yield dips below 10-year average

ST. JOHN - As harvest season wraps up in the Palouse, farmers are reporting a less-than-impressive crop yield in the face of high heat and low precipitation.

Cory Christensen, Grain Merchant at Northwest Grain Growers, expressed concerns about the adverse effects of the lack of timely rains and early spring heat on this year's wheat crop.

"We've seen yields reduced to 75-85% of the 10-year average and elevated proteins in the areas in those same fields," he said.

The reliance on non-irrigated moisture makes the region susceptible to the whims of the weather, necessitating a constant search for ways to improve crop resilience, Christensen said.

In response to the challenging conditions, local farmers have been collaborating with universities and private companies to develop better genetic breeding lines with higher tolerances to extremes.

Christensen highlighted the advancements in region-specific varietal genetics and improved pre-planting seed treatment technology that contributed to better-than-expected grain harvests despite poor yields in some areas.

Randy Olstad, Grain Division Manager at PNW Farmers Cooperative in Colfax, acknowledged this year's yields have been spotty, with some fields reporting normal yields and others experiencing below-average results.

"It's not a crop to write home about," Olstad said.

The dry summer and higher temperatures have impacted crop growth and overall yield, emphasizing the significance of June rains for a successful crop.

"For us, it's about our June rains," he said. "If we have a good rain, we have a good crop."

Among the crops in their portfolio, some farmers have found early-seeded wheat to exhibit better resilience to the higher temperatures and dry conditions.

However, the overall market has been challenging for soft white wheat, with declining prices and lagging exports, Christensen said.

The market faces stiff competition from countries like Australia, Russia and Ukraine, which Christensen says offer cheaper prices with more favorable currencies.

Despite the hurdles, Christensen said both grain merchants and farmers remain optimistic for a potential surge in export sales this fall to bolster local markets into the next year.