Drought conditions affecting most wheat farmers

RITZVILLE – Drought conditions affected most Eastern Washington wheat farmers during this past growing season.

While statewide yields are down by 40%, the North-Central region is down by 50%. Wheat production remains the same at 2.3 million acres, officials said. Moreover, 2021 yields plummeted to 39.1 bushels per acre, down from 72.4 bushels in 2020.

Official statewide data is being released in December.

The lack of rainfall is causing high protein content in soft white wheat, according to Michelle Hennings, Washington Wheat Growers executive direcgtor. She said one of the best actions farmer...