Washington Grain Commission

05/26/2026

Spotted: soft white spring wheat in Colton, WA

📷️: Art Shultheis, Diamond-S Farms

05/25/2026

Can you spot a few familiar faces?? Thank you to U.S. Wheat for inviting us to celebrate 70 years in Japan 🎌

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

05/24/2026

Never a bad sight 🌾⁠
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Location: Franklin County

05/22/2026

Beneficial rains were received in many parts of the state this week and have helped crops continue to develop. ⁠
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Winter wheat is in good condition in most areas, and about 25% of the crop has already headed, putting it about 2 to 3 weeks ahead of the usual timeline in some places. ⁠
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Spring wheat planting is nearly complete, and about 87% of the crop has emerged, with moisture helping young plants get off to a strong start. ⁠
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At the same time, some farmers are seeing strip rust in their fields and are applying fungicide to limit damage that could affect both yield and grain quality. There has also been some concern about freeze damage after cold nighttime temperatures, but warmer weather has helped many fields recover, although the full impact may not be known until harvest. ⁠
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Additional rain will be important through May and June, but for now, both winter and spring crops are looking good in Washington.⁠
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05/22/2026

"Modern U.S. humanitarian food aid did not emerge in response to conflicts like Yemen or Sudan. It grew out of post-World War II agricultural policy, Cold War surplus management, and an early recognition that food could function as both a domestic stabilizer and foreign policy tool."

Food aid is a complex, globe issue. Read more about it here:

Yemen and Sudan rely on U.S. food aid because conflict collapsed markets; aid moves through contested areas, shaped by power, not trade, making it essential but never neutral.

05/21/2026

Our 2026 Preferred Variety Brochure is here!

View a digital version here:https://wagrains.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Brochure-PreferredVarieties2026-V.4-combined-part-1-1.pdf

05/20/2026

On April 30, I had the absolute pleasure of representing the wheat farmers of Washington in celebrating Dr. Mike Pumphrey, WSU Professor of Spring Wheat Breeding and Genetics, as he received a well-deserved 2026 Faculty Excellence in Research Award recognizing his outstanding work and impact. The success of Mike’s work shows in the fields of Washington growers, in the quality of our wheat, and in the confidence of our customers.

Mike’s success as a breeder has been remarkable. His spring wheat varieties have been so successful that 95 percent of Washington’s soft white spring wheat acres are planted with varieties he developed. That level of adoption reflects the performance of his varieties, the trust growers have in his work, and the competitive advantage he has helped create for Washington wheat around the world.

Just as important as the success of his varieties is the way Mike does his work. He is extremely generous with his time, knowledge, and resources. Leading up to the award program, I learned that Mike has no extension appointment, meaning none of his time is officially required to be spent engaging with stakeholders. My mind was blown! Knowing how much time Mike dedicates to directly educating growers and answering questions, not to mention the time he spends hosting WGC trade teams each summer and writing for Wheat Life. He is responsive, available, and consistently willing to step up when something needs to be done.

One of my favorite moments came almost immediately after I finished speaking, and the program was about to wrap up. Dean Raj Khosla surprised everyone by presenting a few Dean’s Choice awards, including to the CAHNRS photographer, who was then invited to the stage. Without a moment of hesitation, Mike jumped up, grabbed the photographer’s camera off the table, and started taking pictures. It was a perfect example of who Mike is: a team player, a good person, and someone who never sees any job as too small.

On behalf of Washington wheat farmers, congratulations, Mike. Thank you for your excellence, generosity, partnership, and commitment to making Washington wheat better every year. We are proud to celebrate you.

-Casey Chumrau, CEO

05/19/2026

A quick stop by the farm 🌾

05/18/2026

42 lbs of flour makes a lot of sweet treats 😋