The McGregor Company: Minimizing The Number Of Bad Days For Area Growers

The winter of 2025-2026 was unique across the Northwest not only because of a lack of snow in the higher elevations but the warmer temperatures as well.  Making it more challenging was how each microclimate across the three states saw different amounts of precipitation and temps.

That’s where The Blue Mountain Team with The McGregor Company can help dryland growers.  Tyson Reger, Account Manager in Dayton, WA, said communication between their different offices is key to help growers stay a head of problems, from start to harvest.

“The disease pressure this spring has been astronomical," Reger noted.  "We do communicate very well on at least a weekly basis on what we're seeing around the area. Getting a heads up on maybe the stripe rust update from James before it gets to my area is absolutely key. And then Will on the same side, looking at Septoria, which was everywhere this year, then he found it before I think anybody else in the area did. And so that meant to me, okay, it's time to be eagle-eyed. And once you start looking for it, you can find it pretty dang easy.”

What Pressures Are The Boots On The Ground Seeing?

James Harri, based in Adams, OR, highlighted one of the programs he and the Blue Mountain Team like to incorporate when it comes to a premium fungicide.

"Especially those that have the Strobilurin or an SDHI type chemistry in them at herbicide timing," Harri pointed out.  "Most people are familiar with those chemistries going at flag leaf for stripe rust and how beneficial they are then. But even at herbicide timing this year, especially with that much biomass out there and the septoria disease that was prevalent, the stripe rust being so early this year, these fungicides and herbicide timing, even though they are kind, they're an expenditure that was tough to swallow. I think the customers that utilize that this spring were really pleased with how it performed.”

Be Proactive This Season

Will Capwell, Account Manager out of Pomeroy, WA, said following this winter, it’s not a question of if rust shows up, but when.

“And I think it could be significantly earlier than what we would traditionally see it," Capwell said.  "So the proactive piece is going to be critical. And as these guys said, you know, timing is going to be key. So maybe don't take to the airport and watch it sit around for a month if everybody's spraying and just get back in the field.”

For more on disease pressures dryland growers can expect this spring, and how to say ahead of some of the most problematic pests, check out the latest The Real Dirt Podcast with The McGregor Company:

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com