Washington growers think winter wheat weathering cold okay

Washington Ag Today December 9, 2009 Single digit to below zero temperatures and no snowcover bring thoughts of possible winter kill to the minds of winter wheat growers. Colfax area farmer Randy Suess is keeping an upbeat attitude.

Suess: “I think the good news is, if we have some, most of the wheat was in moisture when it froze up and the last time we had the big winter freeze out it seemed like the stuff that didn‘t have moisture around it was hurt the worst. So I am feeling optimistic right now but I would be concerned if I was in an area where there was dust blowing across the highway that maybe those roots are going to get uncovered and that wheat may be isn‘t going to survive.”

Washington Association of Wheat Growers president Brett Blankenship says the usual spots that winterkill may have suffered but he thinks as long as the wind stays down the crop will generally be okay.

Blankenship: “The good news is the crop went into winter dormancy pretty healthy in most places and that always helps the plant endure colder weather longer.”

Randy Uhrich, former Wheat Grower president and Douglas County farmer says some late seeding in his area has made the wheat vulnerable with no snow cover but as for damage;

Uhrich: “I don’t want to know right now. I will go over that hurdle when it get to it next spring.”

If growers took an option on their crop insurance and have to replant, the insurance will cover some of the cost of reseeding.

I’m Bob Hoff and that’s Washington Ag Today on the Northwest Ag Information Network.

?