October 9, 2014
Rains cause heavy damage to Idaho's wheat crops
Heavy rain in August has led to sprout damage among wheat crops in the US state of Idaho.
As a result, up to 25 million bushels are rendered unsellable this year, according to Blaine Jacobson, Idaho Wheat Commission's executive director. Growers are also affected by insufficient crop insurance to cover losses.
Farmers in East and Southern Idaho have been the most affected by the rains and falling wheatproduction.
Due to declining crop numbers, those wheat which are harvested during the post-rainy season has been rejected for milling and by the feed market, said Ned Moon, who represents growers in south-central and south-western Idaho. The development presents a percentage of 80-90% of affected harvest in that period.
Despite the current situation, Ardent Mills, one of Idaho's key customers for wheat purchases, intends to maintain its commitment to the state.
"Idaho has such a tradition of producing a high-quality, dependable, consistent product that no one is going to run away from that," said Kevin Toyn, quality manager for Ardent Mills in Ogden, Utah. "We understand this is an anomaly."
On a usual season, Idaho produces 90 million to 100 million bushels of wheat yearly.