Harvest season sweeps east

As farmers in western Whitman County begin polishing up their combines and wheat trucks for winter storage, those in the east reaches of the county, like this harvester near Palouse are just swinging into full gear. Boosted by a cool, wet late spring, yields coming off Palouse fields this year are some of the best in years. The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported this week farmers are taking in an average of 67 bushels per acre, while the Portland price for soft white wheat hovers around $6.50 per bushel, nearly $2 per bushel up from last month.