Crop outlook good, so far

Jana Mathia, Gazette Editor | Apr 02, 20200

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An early spring has allowed Whitman County farmers to get a jump on spring work, with those in the western part of the county already mostly through with spring planting.

"Crop conditions for the 2020 crops are really good," said Fred Hendrickson, FSA county executive director. Winter wheat is looking good with even stands where as late and heavy snow last year left many weak areas in the 2019 crop.

Hendrickson said that if there is good rain in May and June and the growing season doesn't get too hot, it should be a good crop. Which farmers will need as all commodity prices remain depressed.

Conditions for Whitman County livestock producers have also been favorable this year. In 2019, those cattlemen suffered record losses due to snow and cold and feed shortages. This year's mild weather has proven good for calving and keeping forage needs modest.

As the first quarter of the year closes, crop prospects for 2020 look promising.

"But we've got a long way to go," Hendrickson said.

Farmers will still need luck with prices and to bring them critical rain later in the spring for a good crop. While the moisture situation is not bad now, it is still only March, he noted. There could still be a down turn before the August harvest.

Legumes have yet to be planted and Hendrickson said there has been a lot of discussion of what everyone wants to plant. 2019 fall prices and conditions were so poor, some farmers considered it not worth the effort to harvest some crops, such as garbanzos.

Farming is one industry deemed essential in all the government-ordered shut downs. That is to maintain the food supply now and down the road. Washington State Department of Health stated people do not need to worry about hoarding food as grocery stores continually receive and farmers, ranchers and processors are producing plenty to meet the public's needs.

"There is no need to worry about shortages, and no need to stock up, other than to make sure you don't have to leave the house more than once each week," DOH stated.