Zippy and Danny

Zippy and Danny

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
We've spent this week talking about wheat, harvest, prices and the like. One of the main reasons is that wheat is such an important part of Idaho agriculture. But there's another reason that resonates with a thesis that I have espoused my entire 10 years on this job and that is, my total and profound respect for farmers in general. They have to be multidisciplinary and scientists which includes prognosticating the future in terms of crop pricing. They should have a degree in economics. We visited Gem County wheat farmer Danny Walton. The first thing we're wondering is ... we're seeing this stand of wheat in this part of the state. It doesn't look like we are that far off from starting to cut winter wheat and a few weeks after that will be into the spring wheat, where do you stand in Gem County? "I do have one field thats quite a bit further along than this and its already starting to turn. It was planted early and irrigated up about the 1st of October. Both this wheat got put in after the corn when off, so its a little behind. I'll start combining about the second and third week of July, this will be about last of June or July.

Looking at the market right now, how close is it above or below breakeven point? I'd say right now we are right at break even point. theres not going to be any money made at it. I'll cover my expenses but I wont make anything on it, it wont pay me back. Did you get rid of all your holdover wheat? All my holdover wheat was sold. Last year and I did fairly well is was sold at 5-dollars a bushel, that don't sound very good but in last years market it was good. This years market I'd be tickled pink to get $4 and a quarter consistently but I did lock in a contact for 4 and quarter two weeks ago, so mine is sold."

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