Hennings Stresses Importance Of An Updated Farm Bill

The 2024 growing season has been a challenging one and a stressful one for many wheat growers across the region.  And add to the typical stress that farmers face is a lack of a Farm Bill which is months overdue.  Michelle Hennings, Executive Director of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers says between the high cost of fuel, equipment, repairs and fertilizer it's going to be a difficult year for producers.

“You know, they're probably some of them will have to sell at this price and there will be some that have some crop insurance to help," she said.  "And I cannot stress enough how important crop insurance is to farmers at this time. There's just a lot of concern for farmers out there and you know, we're hoping that, you know, state and national leaders, they recognize this.” 

Hennings added the multiple pressures of this growing season stresses the importance of a Farm Bill that addresses the needs and concerns of Washington wheat growers.

“We are hearing there could potentially be an extension, but we have been over in D.C. really urging that we need to get a Farm Bill done," she continued.  "That is important for farmers risk and we need an improved farm bill where it can trigger, you know when they need it. So, we know that the House and the Senate are working hard over there in D.C., it's just whether that we can get Congress to move on the farm bill or not.”

Hennings added when it comes the quality of this year’s wheat crop, she said that truly varies from farm to farm, operation to operation.  She noted that many of the winter wheat growers enjoyed a good to average 2024 crop, while the spring wheat was below average.

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