Soft White Wheat coming in neat
By Tom Peterson
More than a dozen wheat trucks were lined up this morning, July 27, at Mid-Columbia Producers as the soft white wheat harvest is underway locally and regionally. First glances are noting that yields in some fields are bringing a crop that is 25 to 40 percent above average likely due to the extra rains in May and June.
Combines started cutting wheat around The Dalles last week.
Samples of different loads divulge filled kernels that are testing low for protein, which brings a premium at market.
Farmers in Morrow County got underway as early as July 11 as fields cured a bit quicker than predicted, and crops north of Ione were also coming in at above average.
These are just glances and anecdotal information and a great excuse to take some photos of some of the hardest working people in our area. CCCNews will come out with a more complete report once a majority of fields have been cut.
Nice plump kernels of soft white wheat show little shriveling, making for better quality and lower protein which is drawing a premium at market. Late spring rains paid off this year as farmers are seeing above-average yields thus far.
K.C. Miller, 17, of The Dalles dumps some 900 bushels at Mid-Columbia Producers in The Dalles today, July 27.
Hunter Wagenblast, 19, of Dufur cranks the socket wrench to drop the wheat out of this pup coming in from William Ford Farms.
