Wheat All About It

12.29.20 Four years and 210 episodes later, the first podcast devoted to wheat and wheat farming in the Pacific Northwest calls it quits. Starting in January 2017, the Washington Grain Commission-sponsored Wheat All About It! has introduced listeners to hours of information and entertainment about the industry and the grain chain that supports it. In … Episode 210: Closing Time Read More »

12.22.20 As an emigrant to the U.S. from India., Kulvinder Gill is used to working with different cultures, which makes his status as a scientist at Washington State University and as CEO of his own company, easier to navigate. In episode 209 entitled: WSU Scientist By Day, Genetic Entrepreneur By Night: Kulvinder Gill Straddles Two … Episode 209: WSU Scientist By Day, Genetic Entrepreneur By Night: Kulvinder Gill Straddles Two Worlds Read More »

12.15.20 It’s not just farmers who operate under a regulatory burden. In episode 208 entitled: At the WSCIA, the Devil is in the Details, Lauren Port, manager of the organization, talks about the state and federal laws which guide the operations of the non-profit and ensure farmers receive only the highest quality seed. Port, who … Episode 208: At the WSCIA, the Devil is in the Details Read More »

12.8.20 It’s been 10 years since Arron Carter took over winter wheat breeding duties at Washington State University. In episode 207 entitled, Time Flies When You’re Breeding Wheat, Carter talks about new varieties, including a club Clearfield variety, the importance of his technicians, the promise of advanced breeding technologies, a peculiar phenomenon that occurred among … Episode 207: Time Flies When You’re Breeding Wheat Read More »

12.1.20 In 1989, Gary Rosman was a 36 years old wheat farmer with plans to buy more land when a grain auger he was moving fell and crushed his back. Paralyzed, Rosman could have accepted his doctor’s advice to get used to a wheelchair.  He didn’t, and as a result not only did he learn … Episode 206: Let’s See What We Can Do About That—Or How Garry Rosman Learned To Walk Again Read More »

11.24.20 Bob Brueggeman makes no bones about it. The barley breeding position at WSU, known as the R.A. Nilan Endowed Chair in Barley Research and Education, is his dream job. In episode 205 entitled: Malt to the Future! we learn that part of that dream includes a spotlight on malt barley, the category of grain … Episode 205: Malt to the Future! Read More »

11.17.20 If you’re curious about the weather phenomenon that led to one of the highest quality (and most plentiful) wheat crop’s ever harvested in Eastern Washington, then you’ll want to listen to episode 204 entitled: Bad Weather Makes for Good Podcasts. Jeremy Wolf, a National Weather Service meteorologist based in Spokane—and a regular podcast guest—reveals … Episode 204: Bad Weather Makes for Good Podcasts Read More »

11.10.20 Shepherd’s Grain is a rare breed, a successful company that a couple of farmers dreamed up. Columbia Plateau Producers is the group of PNW farmers that grows the wheat that goes into Shepherd’s Grain flour.  And Jeremy Bunch is the director of farmer relationships and logistics interviewed for episode 203 entitled: Shepherd’s Grain Grows … Episode 203: Shepherd’s Grain Grows Up! Read More »

11.3.20 When it comes to wheat quality, Kim Garland Campbell doesn’t just talk the talk, she walks the walk. In episode 202 entitled: The One & Only Kim Garland Campbell! 2, listen in as she describes putting quality above all the other components that go into creating a released club wheat cultivar. She firmly believes … Episode 202: The One & Only Kim Garland Campbell! 2 Read More »

10.27.20 Kim Garland Campbell’s path to being the world’s only dedicated club wheat breeder is as unusual as the compact head of the subclass of soft white wheat. Raised in a suburban environment, she fixed on agronomy as a way to change the world for the better—with detours into the Peace Corps and theology—before hitting … Episode 201: The One & Only Kim Garland Campbell! Read More »

10.20.20 The CEO of the Washington Grain Commission lets his non-existent hair down in episode 200 of Wheat All About It! entitled: Getting to Know You, Getting to Know All About. . . Glen Squires! It’s a long way from growing up in Centerville, Utah to leading the Washington Grain Commission, but all along Squires’ … Episode 200: Getting to Know You, Getting to Know All About. . . Glen Squires! Read More »

10.13.20 He idolized Washington Democratic Senator Henry Jackson, he ran for Congress as a Democrat and he was appointed director of agriculture by two Washington Democratic governors, but Jim Jesernig doesn’t refer to himself as a Democrat anymore—nor a Republican for that matter. In episode 199 entitled: Jim Jesernig Reminisces on a Rewarding Washington Career … Episode 199: Jim Jesernig Reminisces on a Rewarding Washington Career and Assesses Agriculture’s Uncertain Future 2 Read More »

10.6.20 Jim Jesernig has forgotten more about state government than most of us will ever know and in episode 198 the retired lobbyist for the Washington Grain Commission and Washington State University, among other clients, opens up about his more than 30 year career as a legislator, ag director and influencer. Entitled: Jim Jesernig Reminisces … Episode 198: Jim Jesernig Reminisces on a Rewarding Washington Career and Assesses Agriculture’s Uncertain Future Read More »

9.30.20 Episode 197 revisits a recurring feature with a production of The Wheat O’Clock Report Rides Again! A compilation of local, national and international news about wheat and issues that impact wheat, The Wheat O’Clock Report is how the media might cover the crop if there wasn’t enough of it.  In this week’s newscast, learn … Episode 197: The Wheat O’Clock Report Rides Again! Read More »

9.22.20 In episode 196 of Wheat All About It! entitled: So How’d We Do? U.S. Wheat’s Vince Peterson Assesses Trade Agreements, Wheat Exports, Prices, COVID-19, Virtual Meetings & More 2,” the president of the organization continues his series of concise answers to questions impacting wheat farmers and the industry. Peterson not only gives his take … Episode 196: So How’d We Do? U.S. Wheat’s Vince Peterson Assesses Trade Agreements, Wheat Exports, Prices, COVID-19, Virtual Meetings & More 2, Read More »

9.15.20 Since assuming the post of president of U.S. Wheat Associates in 2017, Vince Peterson’s life has been anything but boring as he has worked to the ensure America’s wheat exports continues to flow overseas. The Phase One China deal, the bi-lateral trade deal with Japan and the USMCA treaty—all rancorous to varying degrees—were hammered … Episode 195: So How’d We Do? U.S. Wheat’s Vince Peterson Assesses Trade Agreements, Wheat Exports, Prices, COVID-19, Virtual Meetings & More Read More »

Get the low down directly from the elevator personnel who are handling the excellent harvest and the high quality grain that resulted from timely spring rains.

9.1.20 Dozens of in-person wheat meetings, seminars and trade team visits have been put on hold at the Washington Grain Commission since the outbreak of COVID-19 in the U.S. last March. That means business as usual is out—and business as unusual is in. In episode 193 entitled: Special Delivery! Continuing the Nisshin Crop Quality Survey … Episode 193: Special Delivery! Continuing the Nisshin Crop Quality Survey During COVID-19 Restrictions Read More »

8.25.20 Eastern Washington wheat farming is a mature industry, but how did it get that way? In episode 192, entitled: Wheat’s Early Years in Washington, listen in on a conversation with historian Jim Kershner as he sets the record straight about when the first wheat crop was planted in the state and by whom. According … Episode 192: Wheat’s Early Years in Washington Read More »

8.18.20 In episode 191, the second half of a conversation with Douglas Poole entitled  “Douglas Poole’s Badge of Honor, Farming in North Douglas County 2”, the direct seed leader talks about his equipment and practices and pinpoints the epicenter of the direct seed movement in north Douglas County:  the local cafe. Poole also discusses how … Episode 191: Douglas Poole’s Badge of Honor, Farming in North Douglas County 2 Read More »

8.11.20 The joke is that farmers from other harsh environments come to north Douglas County just to be glad they’re not farming there. But for the farmers who do make the region home, surviving—even prospering—in the harsh environment, is a badge of honor. Which is why episode 190 is entitled “Douglas Poole’s Badge of Honor–Farming … Episode 190: Douglas Poole’s Badge of Honor–Farming in North Douglas County Read More »

8.4.20  Ten years ago when a French company opened a new U.S. wheat breeding operation, Jim Peterson was one of its first two employees. As vice president for research at Limagrain Cereal Seeds, the former Oregon State University wheat breeder was staking his reputation and his livelihood on a new approach to wheat varietal research … Episode 189: A Wake-up Call From Limagrain’s Jim Peterson Read More »

7.28.20 Canola has been the next big crop in the Pacific Northwest for 30 years. For many years, canola advocates insisted acreage would increase when an oil seed crushing plant in the region was opened. One did in Warden, Washington in 2013, the largest crushing facility west of the Rocky Mountains, and while canola acreage … Episode 188: Has Canola’s Time to Shine Finally Arrived? Read More »

7.21.20 Wheat farming is not just an industry, it is a legacy with many Pacific Northwest farms going back more than a hundred years within the same family. A physically demanding job, farming also requires mental toughness. But sometimes even that is not enough to make it through poor prices, rotten weather and meager yields. … Episode 187: A Most Serious Subject, Suicide on the Farm Read More »

7.14.20 The Philippines is the Pacific Northwest’s Number One market for soft white wheat and Joe Sowers, regional vice president for U.S. Wheat Associates in the region, is the man intended to keep it that way. Sowers is coming up on a decade of service with USW in the Philippines. During that time the country … Episode 186: Joe Sowers, Our Man in Manila Read More »

7.7.20 In another context 46 year old Steve Henning may be middle age, but in Eastern Washington where 58 is the average age of wheat farmers,  he’s still part of the  younger generation. In episode 185 entitled: Maximizing Farm & Family, Henning who farms near Thornton, Wash., discusses whether his age gives him an advantage … Episode 185: Maximizing Farm & Family Read More »

6.30.20 Are the lessons and challenges for wheat farming’s younger generation any different from those on the older end of the spectrum? Listen in as Andy Juris, a wheat farmer from the Horse Heaven Hills talks about the pluses and minuses of farming at 40 in episode 184 entitled: No Matter the Age, There Are … Episode 184: No Matter the Age, There Are No Free Rides In Farming Read More »

6.23.20 When you’ve been representing Eastern Washington in the Washington Legislature since 1993, you’re bound to have encountered a recession or two. COVID-19 has been an economic calamity for sure, but it’s not the first economic downturn that Senator Mark Schoesler has experienced while in state government, which is why episode 183 is entitled: Not … Episode 183: Not Senator Mark Schoesler’s First Recession Read More »

6.16.20 Farmers cooperate on a host of issues, why not at reducing the incidence of herbicide weed resistance? In episode 182 entitled: Working Together Communities of Farmers Can Reduce Herbicide Resistance, listen in as agriculture sociologist Katie Dentzman a post doctoral researcher at Washington State University, talks about why such cooperation is not only necessary, … Episode 182: Working Together Communities of Farmers Can Reduce Herbicide Resistance Read More »

6.9.20 The COVID-19 pandemic has upended many aspects of life in Eastern Washington including the cancellation of in-person Variety Testing Program plot tours for wheat and barley. But in episode 181 entitled: Clark Neely Leads WSU’s Variety Testing Program into a Brave New World, the new director of WSU’s testing program explains how a series … Episode 181: Clark Neely Leads WSU’s Variety Testing Program into a Brave New World, Read More »

6.2.20 Want to know why so many farmers question U.S. Department of Agriculture data? Mike Krueger suggests it may not be that the numbers are wrong, but rather because the entire system of reporting has changed so much over the last 15 years. In episode 180 entitled Older & Wiser, Insight from Money Farm Founder … Episode 180: Older & Wiser, Insight from Money Farm Founder Mike Krueger 2 Read More »

5.26.20 He recently retired from more than 40 years helping farmers sell their grain, but that hasn’t stopped Mike Krueger from having opinions about changes to the market that have occurred since he took his first job with Cargill in 1974. In episode 179, entitled: Older & Wiser, Insight from Money Farm Founder Mike Krueger, … Episode 179: Older & Wiser, Insight from Money Farm Founder Mike Krueger Read More »

5.19.20 The Philippines has been the No. 1 market for Pacific Northwest soft white wheat for four years running, reason enough to listen to a presentation given by the director of national sales of the flour division of Universal Robina Corporation based in Manilla. In episode 178 entitled: “A Philippine-Centric View of South Asia Wheat … Episode 178: A Philippine-Centric View of South Asia Wheat Demand Read More »

5.12.20 There have been a lot of changes around the world as a result of COVID-19, including an oil market that has collapsed. In episode 177 entitled, “Thrust and Parry—WSU Economist Randy Fortenbery Takes on Wheat and the World’s Woes 2,” listen in as he provides an expert view of the potential ripples from oil’s … Episode 177: Thrust and Parry—WSU Economist Randy Fortenbery Takes on Wheat and the World’s Woes 2 Read More »

5.5.20 What does a COVID-19 world look like to an agricultural economist? In episode 176 and next week’s episode 177 entitled: “Thrust and parry—WSU Economist Randy Fortenbery Takes on Wheat and the World’s Woes,” he discusses the lack of a market response to Russia’s recently announced wheat embargo, the impact of currency values on U.S. … Episode 176: Thrust and Parry—WSU Economist Randy Fortenbery Takes on Wheat and the World’s Woes Read More »

4.28.20 City-dwellers are dealing with major impacts from the coronavirus, but life on the farm is also undergoing changes. In episode 175 entitled: “Wheat in the Time of COVID-19”, listen in as six veteran farmers from Eastern Washington talk about how the pandemic and social distancing has affected their lives and the rural businesses they … Episode 175: Wheat in the Time of COVID-19 Read More »

4.21.20 Wheat farming in the Pacific Northwest has many moving parts, not the least of which are research efforts aimed at ensuring the crop remains ahead of all the challenges nipping at its heels. In episode 174 entitled: The Inside Scoop on Northwest Wheat Research, listen in as five scientists from four land grant schools … Episode 174: The Inside Scoop on Northwest Wheat Research Read More »

4.14.20 Are you seeking a respite from the steady drumbeat of coronavirus coverage? Then it’s time to cue up the recurring Wheat All About It! feature entitled: More World Wheat O’Clock Report! in episode 173. A collection of news items that impacts the wheat industry, listeners will learn more about the narrowing of agriculture’s gender … Episode 173: More World Wheat O’Clock Report! Read More »

4.7.20 Return to the second half of WSU Randy Fortenbery’s presentation before the Pacific Northwest Farm Forum in episode 172 entitled: “The Why’s and Wherefore’s of Wheat Prices—WSU Economist Randy Fortenbery Sets the Scene, 2”, as the economist focuses on wheat. Fortenbery spoke at Farm Forum February 5, 2020. The landscape has changed considerably since … Episode 172: The Why’s and Wherefore’s of Wheat Prices—WSU Economist Randy Fortenbery Sets the Scene, 2 Read More »

3.31.20 Almost two months have elapsed since WSU economist Randy Fortenbery spoke about wheat market fundamentals at the Pacific Northwest Farm Forum on February 5, 2020, a period which has seen wrenching changes around the world due to the coronavirus. But by definition, fundamentals refer to core principals and don’t change a lot even during … Episode 171: The Why’s and Wherefore’s of Wheat Prices—WSU Economist Randy Fortenbery Sets the Scene Read More »

3.24.20 The mystery behind the Late Maturity Alpha Amylase phenomenon continues to bedevil researchers, elevator companies and farmers, but even as much is left to learn, there is now much that is understood. Which is why episode 170 is entitled: Much Discovered, Much More to Learn: Four Voice From the Falling Number Summit. The four … Episode 170: Much Discovered, Much More to Learn: Four Voice From the Falling Number Summit Read More »