February

76 Pages·2016·17.9 MB·English

W L
HEAT IFE
The official publication of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers
FEBRUARY 2016
OLYMPIA DAYS
ARE HERE AGAIN!
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President’s Perspective
WHEAT LIFE
Volume 59 • Number 02 Advocacy starts here
www.wheatlife.org
By Kevin Klein
The official publication of January was an excellent month for rain, and thankfully
WASHINGTON all of it was soaking into the ground. As I have started
ASSOCIATION OF
to travel the state for different meetings and activities, it
WHEAT GROWERS
always amazes me how quickly the climate conditions
109 East First Avenue
change within just 40 miles. It was 40 degrees, sunny, then
Ritzville, WA 99169-2394
[phone] • [phone] rainy with green grass starting to grow in Kennewick for
the direct seed conference in mid-January. At Ritzville,
WAWG MEMBERSHIP
however, there was still complete snow cover after a half an inch of rain fell, and
[phone] • [phone]
at home, we still had more than 8 inches of snow, which makes me feel better that
$125 per year
winter is still here for a little while before spring work begins.
EDITOR
Trista Crossley • [email protected] At our last state wheat growers’ board meeting in Ritzville, we were short board
[phone] members from several counties, but were able to participate in some good discus-
AD SALES MANAGER sions as we prioritized and planned for the message we took first to Olympia then
Kevin Gaffney • [email protected] to Washington, D.C. Having National Association of Wheat Growers President
[phone] Brett Blankenship at our meeting gave us insights into issues at the national
GRAPHIC DESIGN level. Washington Grain Commissioner Mike Miller gave an update concerning
Devin Taylor • Trista Crossley the declining funds from our wheat assessment due to below-normal yields and
AD BILLING prices. Every year, the commission asks for grower participation in the research
Michelle Hennings • [email protected] review to help prioritize how wheat commission dollars are invested into wheat
[phone] • [phone]
and barley research, mainly at Washington State University. This year’s research
CIRCULATION review will be held Feb. 16-17 in Pullman. Please participate—every county needs
Address changes, extra copies, subscriptions to be involved.
Chauna Carlson • [email protected]
[phone] • [phone] Carbon regulation rules will continue to be one of the main focuses of WAWG.
Subscriptions are $50 per year As you know, the Washington State Department of Ecology recently unveiled their
WAWG EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR proposed plan for capping carbon emissions. Additionally, there are several other
Michelle Hennings carbon cap proposals that may be appearing before the Legislature or the voters
WAWG EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE in November (see page 18 for more information). We will continue to monitor,
PRESIDENT educate and explain that mandatory carbon regulation is not a wise investment
Kevin Klein • Edwall for Washington state. The more I speak out on this subject, the more I just cringe
VICE PRESIDENT over how bad the outcome could be if we let any regulations get started. I would
Ben Adams • Coulee City
like to personally thank a retired Sprague farmer who showed up for our meeting
SECRETARY/TREASURER
specifically to express his great concern on this issue.
Marci Green • Fairfield
PRESIDENT EMERITUS One of the things I continue to enjoy about being a WAWG officer is hearing
Larry Cochran • Colfax from older-generation growers about some of their experiences dealing with is-
APPOINTED MEMBERS sues during their time. I’m beginning to understand that a lot of our current issues
Jeffrey Shawver • Connell
aren’t completely new; they seem to cycle around with time and then show up
Ryan Poe • Hartline
Ben Barstow • Palouse again with an added twist.
Hopefully, as you have been reading and will continue to read throughout
Wheat Life (ISSN 0043-4701) is published by the
Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG): Wheat Life, you’ll see how WAWG, the commission and our national organizations
109 E. First Avenue • Ritzville, WA 99169-2394
are working together to advocate for our industry at county, state and national
Eleven issues per year with a combined August/
September issue. Standard (A) postage paid at levels. There are numerous opportunities for grower participation, so please find
Ritzville, Wash., and additional entry offices. some time and participate! See you at the research review.
Contents of this publication may not be re-
printed without permission. Cover photo: Washington Association of Wheat Growers’ members, staff and executive team gathered
Advertising in Wheat Life does not indicate en- on the Washington State Senate floor for a group photo during the association’s Olympia Days in mid-
dorsement of an organization, product or political January. Olympia Days coverage begins on page 6. Photo courtesy of Washington State Legislative
candidate by WAWG. Support Services. All photos are Shutterstock images or taken by Wheat Life staff unless otherwise noted.
2 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2016
Columbia
Mica Ice Fields
Revelstoke
Inside This Issue
WAWG President’s Perspective 2 Duncan Columbia
Lake
4
Membership Form
6
WAWG at Work
Kootenay
Policy Matters 18 Lake
Keenleyside To Libby Dam
22 (Arrow)
Building a Foundation
CANADA
U.S. N
Paring down 24 OTGNOH
Ecology, workgroup reworking pesticide rules IHAD
SAI
Reserve your spot 28 W
A look at AMMO’s February workshops
The tipping point 30 Chief Joseph Grand
Coulee
Wells
Do you know where your Plimsoll line is?
n Precisely put 34
o
cti Technicians hail from farm backgrounds Rocky Reach
e
S
g (Un)Manning the controls 38 Rock Island
A
n Marketing UAS for ag applications
o
ecisi What’s on your phone? 40 Wanapum
Pr Useful apps for growers
WGC Chairman’s Column 45 Priest Rapids
WGC Review 46 Pasco
Longview
A conveNrsaavtioign awtiitnh gth et hUe.S .’rsi lveeadr ’nse tgroetiaattoyr 50 WASHOIRNEGGTOONN McNary
King of the farmland 54 Portland Vancouver John Day
Bonneville The Dalles
Who’s Washington’s biggest landlord?
Farmland for Lease
‘No clear winners’ 56
The 2015 spring wheat variety trial results
60
Wheat Watch
From junk to jewels 62
The world of tractor restoration enthusiasts
68
The Bottom Line
70
Your Wheat Life
72
Happenings
74
Advertiser Index
Contributors
Kevin Klein, president, Washington Association of Wheat Growers Dave Neff, Franklin County farmer
Mike Miller, chairman, Washington Grain Commission Ryan Higginbotham, Extension specialist, Washington State
Scott A. Yates, communications director, Washington Grain Commission University
Kevin Gaffney, ad sales manager, Wheat Life Mike Krueger, president and founder, The Money Tree
Diana Carlen, lobbyist, Washington Association of Wheat Growers Heidi Scott, writer, Spokane, Wash.
Xianming Chen, plant pathologist, USDA-ARS Paul D. Fitzpatrick, attorney, Foster Pepper PLLC
WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2016 3
WAWG MEMBERSHIP FORM
Thank you to our
Please check level of membership
Student $75 Partnership $500
current members
(up to 5 partners)
Grower $125
Landlord $125 Convention $600
Family $200 (up to 2 members) Lifetime $2,500 We fight every day to ensure that life on the
If you do not have an email address, or prefer hard family farm continues to prosper and grow.
copies, please include an extra $25 for Greensheet postage.
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT.
Name If you are not a member, please consider joining today.
LEVELS OF MEMBERSHIP
Farm or Business
ACidtdyress GreensheetNewsletter Wheat LifeMagazine National Wheat Grower Newsletter Annual Harvest Prints WAWG Convention Free Registration One Vote per Member
State Zip
Producer/Landowners (Voting Membership)
Grower or Landlord $125 X X X X
Phone Fax
Family $200
X X X X
(2 family members)
Email
Partnership $500
X X X X X
(1-5 family members)
County Affiliation (if none, write state)
Convention $600
X X X X X
Circle all that apply: (2 individuals)
Producer Landlord Individual Industry Rep. Business Owner Student Other Lifetime $2,500
X X X X X
(1 individual)
Return this form with your check to:
WAWG • 109 East First Ave. • Ritzville, WA 99169. Non-Voting Membership
Or call 800-598-6890 and use your credit card to enroll by phone. Student $75 X X X
WAWG’s current top priorities are:
✔ Fighting mandatory carbon emissions ✔ Preserving the ag tax preferences:
regulations.
• Sales tax exemption on fertilizer and pesticides
✔ Maintaining a safe and sound • Ag wholesale B&O exemption
transportation system that includes rail, • Off-road fuel tax exemption
river and roads. • 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.
More member benefits:

Washington Association
• Greensheet ALERTS • WAWG updates
of Wheat Growers
• Voice to WAWG through opinion surveys
109 East First Ave. • Ritzville, WA 99169
• National Wheat Grower updates 509-659-0610 • 800-598-6890 • 509-659-4302 (fax)
• State and national legislative updates www.wagrains.com
Call 800-598-6890 or visit www.wawg.org

WAWG WORK
Upgrade ALL Technology
your
at
AgraSyst Spray
ADVOCATING FOR THE WHEAT FARMERS OF EASTERN WASHINGTON Adjuvants
WAWG members participate
State University’s new plant sciences building won’t
happen until next year, WAWG members reminded
in successful Olympia Days legislators that research and education is critical to the
success of the state’s ag industry.
Amid gray skies and heavy downpours, a large group Members also encouraged legislators to support a bill
of Washington Association of Wheat Growers’ (WAWG) that would allow vehicles to exceed weight limits by 2,000
members, leadership and staff spent two days in January pounds when carrying an ag commodity (SB 6265/HB
crisscrossing the state capitol to visit more than 50 legisla- 2611), as well as a bill that requires cities and counties
tors and agency leaders. planning under the Growth Management Act to permit
rail-dependent uses (SB 6334/HB 2468).
“I want to thank those members who took the time
out of their busy schedules to come with us to Olympia,” On the other hand, WAWG is in opposition to two bills
said WAWG President currently circu-
Kevin Klein. “It makes lating through
a huge impact on the legislature.
legislators to have a HB 2532 would
wheat grower come require riparian
to their office and restoration and
tell their story. We planting as part of
Olympia
are able to person- the eligibility to receive
ally explain how farmland preserva-
certain legislation tion funds. It also adds
might hurt or help mandatory buffers to
us.” salmon-bearing streams.
HB 2392 is a pesticide noti-
This year’s priorities
fication bill that puts onerous
included:
requirements on a person
• O pposing regulations related to who is intending to apply
carbon emissions. This was a frequently pesticides.
discussed topic during legislator meetings. “Olympia Days is one of Discover the Superior
WAWG’s position is that regulatory costs to
the most important events of the year for the Washington
comply with a carbon cap will raise fuel, fertilizer, Herbicide Performance
Association of Wheat Growers. The event was a huge suc- of
transportation and processing costs. Farmers cannot
cess,” said WAWG Executive Director Michelle Hennings.
pass those costs on because they are price takers and “I would like to thank WAWG staff for all their hard work FFuullllLLooaadd
cannot dictate the price of grain. Additionally, none
behind the scenes. Lobbyist Diana Carlen provided a wide
of the proposed policies or regulations factor in the variety of meetings and visits that gave the farmers the
significant benefit agricultural soils provide to se- opportunity to reach across party lines and increase the
quester and store carbon through sustainable farming visibility of our industry.” COMPLETE
practices.
The 2016 Wheat Ambassadors, Hallie Jo Galbreath and
• P rotecting existing tax policy. Although the ag-related Taylor Kulm, also participated in the trip, giving them a
tax incentives are relatively safe this session, WAWG first-hand look at how WAWG advocates for the wheat Full Load Complete is the only glyphosate additive that:
reminded legislators of their importance to the ag industry. Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler took
Conditions spray water, reduces pH, increases deposition, reduces drift, counteracts hard water,
industry and the state’s economy. Members explained Galbreath and Kulm to lunch at the members-only Senate
how the preferences offer farmers a more level playing cafeteria. and supplies Glyphosate’s Favorite Surfactant in a Premium Surfactant Blend --All in One Jug.
field with other major ag-production states, most of “Their generation is our future, and it is critical they
which have more ag-friendly laws than Washington. are educated on advocacy and how to tell their story,”
COME SEE US AT THE SPOKANE AG EXPO
• Investing in the future of Washington state agriculture Hennings said.
by supporting funding for research and education. Besides the legislative visits, WAWG also held a legisla- and ask us about our new RE-VOL-TEC TECHNOLOGY
Although the next round of funding for Washington tive reception one evening.
To learn more about Full Load Complete or other great AgraSyst Products, please visit our website
6 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2016
Upgrade ALL Technology
your
AgraSyst Spray
Adjuvants
Discover Superior
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of
FFuullllLLooaadd
COMPLETE
Full Load Complete is the only glyphosate additive that:
Conditions spray water, reduces pH, increases deposition, reduces drift, counteracts hard water,
and supplies Glyphosate’s Favorite Surfactant in a Premium Surfactant Blend --All in One Jug.
COME SEE US AT THE SPOKANE AG EXPO
and ask us about our new RE-VOL-TEC TECHNOLOGY
To learn more about Full Load Complete or other great AgraSyst Products, please visit our website
OLYMPIA DAYS 2016
(Above) Marci Green, WAWG’s secretary/treasurer, uses the Wheat Facts brochure to help
explain the state’s wheat industry to Rep. Vincent Buys (R-Lynden). (Right) Sen. Linda Evans
Parlette (R-Wenatchee) attended WAWG’s evening reception where she spoke with Whitman
County grower Ben Barstow (middle) and Ryan Poe, a Grant County grower.
2016 Wheat Ambassadors Hallie Jo Galbreath (left) and Taylor Kulm
(right) took part in an advocacy visit to Washington State Department Retired Whitman County grower Randy Suess and Douglas County grower Jenny
of Ecology Director Maia Bellon. Adams speak with Rep. Maureen Walsh (R-Walla Walla). Notice the cereal box...
Hailing from Ritzville where he owns a wheat farm, Senate
Majority Leader Mark Schoesler (left) has been a staunch Franklin County grower Jeff Shawver (right) congratulated retiring Sen. Mike Hewitt
advocate of the Washington wheat industry. WAWG President (R-Walla Walla) for his service. Hewitt’s current term expires in January 2017. He’s served
Kevin Klein is also pictured. for 15 years.
Watch wawg.org for more pictures of the 2016 Olympia Days trip.
8 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2016
(Above) On the right, JT Austin, a natural resources/environment policy advisor for Gov. Jay Inslee, met with
a WAWG delegation to discuss issues, including carbon regulation and the Snake River dams. (Right) WAWG
lobbyist Diana Carlen was part of the group that met with Sen. Mike Padden (R-Spokane Valley).
(Left) WAWG Executive Director Michelle Hennings (standing) goes over a few, last-minute
notes before the first meeting of the 2016 Olympia Days trip. (Above) Senate Majority Leader
Mark Schoesler (front row, third from the right) took a minute to pose with a group of WAWG
visitors.
(From left) Rep. Joe Schmick (R-Colfax) meets with WAWG Past President Larry (Clockwise from left) Washington State Department of Agriculture
Cochran, WAWG Policy Director Keva Guszkowski and Wheat Ambassador Director Derek Sandison listens to WAWG Outreach Coordinator Lori
Taylor Kulm. Williams, Grant County grower Ryan Poe and WAWG President Kevin Klein.
WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2016 9
WL WAWG AT WORK
Legislative Report
Ten questions with Jeff Shawver
Hearings take up
1. What do you grow on your farm? Wheat and triticale
first few weeks
2. Is there a crop you’d like to grow, but can’t? Potatoes
of 2016 session 3. What’s the biggest change on your farm that you’ve seen in your life-
time? CRP, technology and the efficiency of GPS
By Diana Carlen 4. What is your favorite piece of equipment and why? The sprayer because
WAWG Lobbyist you can usually cover a lot of ground in a day. In nondusty conditions, you can
get some acres done!
The Washington State Legislature
convened for the 2016 regular ses- 5. What’s the oldest piece of equipment you have on your farm that you
sion on Jan. 11. In even calendar
still use? A 1946 modified Chevy boom truck. Maybe once every five years it
years, regular legislative sessions
comes out of retirement.
are scheduled for 60 days and are
referred to as “short” sessions be- 6. What’s the one piece of equipment or tool that you couldn’t do with-
cause the legislature does not need out? GPS. Trying to drive a straight line for a mile or two, up and down hills, is
to adopt the state operating budget, a bit challenging, plus, the fields looks cleaner and neater when complete.
which occurs in odd-numbered
7. What worry keeps you up at night in regards to farming? Fall wheat
years. During short sessions, the
prices and the lack of rain.
legislature may adopt supplemen-
tal budgets which are usually just 8. What’s the most important life lesson you’ve learned from farming?
tweaks to the operating, capital and Being consistent. That’s one thing I can control in farming.
transportation budgets. Unlike re-
9. What’s the most valuable piece of farming advice you’ve ever gotten?
cent legislative sessions, this session
Be timely in your operation.
is expected to last only 60 days.
10. John Deere green or IH red? John Deere green
The first few weeks of the 2016 ses-
sion were mostly busy with public A west-side transplant, Jeff Shawver began farming on his in-law’s Franklin
hearings. The first major deadline
County farm in 2008 before leasing his own land. He currently serves on WAWG’s
of the session is Feb. 5 when all
executive committee and is the Franklin County president. Jeff and his wife,
policy bills must make it out of their
Andrea, have three girls.
respective committees.
A King County superior judge has
ruled Tim Eyman’s latest initiative, initiative (I-732) brought by Carbon Washington to the legislature. More than
I-1366, unconstitutional and voided 363,000 signatures were submitted for the initiative, which is nearly 120,000
it. I-1366, approved by voters in more than the minimum required. Despite the large number of signatures sub-
November, would have cut the sales mitted, the Secretary of State’s office stated that I-732 narrowly qualified due to a
tax by one percentage point begin- high signature error rate.
ning in April unless the legislature
There was some bill activity happening in the first few weeks, including:
referred a constitutional amendment
• P rohibiting rules on carbon regulation without legislative approval (SB
to the voters requiring a two-thirds
6173) sponsored by Sen. Doug Ericksen (R-Ferndale). The bill prohibits the
supermajority for future tax in-
Washington State Department of Ecology from adopting any rule or policy
creases. Opponents sued, saying
establishing a statewide cap on emissions in the state unless authorized by
constitutional amendments cannot
the legislature. The Senate Energy, Environment and Telecommunications
be proposed by initiative and that Committee passed out this bill on a 5-3 vote.
the measure violates the rule that
• C arbon tax (SB 6306) sponsored by Sen. Steve Hobbs (D-Lake Stevens). This
initiatives be limited to a single
legislation levies a carbon tax of $8 per metric ton of carbon emissions on
subject. The ruling is expected to be
fossil fuels. Imported electricity would not be subject to the proposed tax.
appealed directly to the Washington
The tax would be used to fund storm water projects, fish-barrier connection
State Supreme Court. projects, renewable energy and energy efficiency programs, public transpor-
In late January, the Secretary of tation and other multimodal transportation options. A public hearing was
State’s office certified the carbon tax held in the Senate Energy, Environment and Telecom Committee recently.
10 WHEAT LIFE FEBRUARY 2016