Around the Valley: with Karen Huwe

"Phenomenal", "very good, best ever yields," and "fabulous, record yields" were statements received from area farmer's wives regarding this year's wheat harvest.

Early summer rains pushed back harvest time for two to three weeks. Farmers from Prescott, Waitsburg, Dayton, and the Colfax area are finishing up harvesting winter wheat and will soon harvest other crops, such as spring wheat, garbanzos, and lentils, and baling a second cutting of hay. 

Fortunately, most farmers did not suffer any significant crop damage due to the recent thunderstorms. At the Abbey Farm, they received about half the rain as Waitsburg experienced. Though some small fires were reported in the area, emergency services said the heavy rain accompanying the lightning quickly doused flames.

The McKinley's had fortunately completed harvesting the wheat by their house before the thunderstorm last week. During the storm, a fire started close to the home, and as with other incidents in the area, it was swiftly put out by the heavy rain.

The McConnell's are finishing up harvesting winter wheat and still have at least two weeks of spring wheat and garbanzos.

Overall, local farmers report good yields in most of their fields, though some fields had reduced yields due to grass weeds. The Times will report on more details about this year's harvest in the upcoming weeks as the season's operations are completed.

Some farmers I spoke to have finished their harvesting and have headed to Priest Lake for a bit of rest and relaxation.