Early grain tests show impacts from dry year

A combine works off of Dry Creek Road near Garfield Monday.

Harvest has been in full swing around the county for nearly two weeks now, and grains are starting to reach the Department of Agriculture Grain Inspection Office in Colfax.

Gary Bergley, office supervisor at the Grain Inspection Office, said test weights for winter wheat have started out low and protein levels have started on the higher end.

"That's kind of the traditional rule is it starts out light," Bergley said. "It's just a moisture thing."

Bergley noted lower test weights and a higher protein content lead to a lower grade for th...