Farm Economy Very Difficult For Wheat Growers, Hennings Says

The farm economy is in poor shape across many commodities right now.  One of the Northwest commodities struggling the most is wheat.

Michelle Hennings, Executive Director of the Washington Association of Wheat Gowers says the current break-even price for growers is roughly $7 a bushel.  She adds the struggles of high input costs and low commodity prices have been going on for years, resulting in some of the farmers using their equity to pay their operating loans.

“Right now, interest rates are high, crop inputs are high, gas prices are high, everything is high, equipment costs, repairs, labor," Hennings said.  "And so when the price doesn't reflect that for us, it's a struggle. And so, you know, we've been advocating over in D.C., we advocate at our state level, on how legislation can either help or harm farmers.”

Hennings said it’s important that everyone in farm country talk about the challenges facing producers, so lawmakers and the general public know what is taking place on today’s farm.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com