Snow Cover Record In Lind Good News For Wheat Growers Pt 1

Snow Cover Record In Lind Good News For Wheat Growers Pt 1

Bob Larson
Bob Larson
I'm Bob Larson. It's no secret this has been a cooler, wetter winter in Washington state than we normally see. In fact, record setting in many regards, including the length of snow cover in the eastern Washington town of Lind ...

BILL SCHILLINGER ... "That's correct. This year we had 76 consecutive days with snow cover. That's a record and the previous record was 70."

Bill Schillinger works at the WSU Dryland Research Station in Lind where he says it's been a very good year for soil moisture in an area known to be some of the driest wheat-growing land anywhere ...

BILL SCHILLINGER ... "Well, yeah, throughout eastern Washington really. Just a lot of snow and it lasted a long time. There was even some snow mold in Walla Walla county, which was sort of unusual."

Schillinger says soil conditions have growers feeling pretty optimistic about the months ahead ...

BILL SCHILLINGER ... "They are. Keep in mind, the wheat price is down so enthusiasm is a little bit tempered by $4 wheat. But, again, we have, to date, early May, we have excellent yield potential. So, we'll see what happens from here out, but moisture is spot on."

Schillinger says the records don't stop at consecutive snow-cover days. Listen tomorrow to hear about the amount of overall precipitation that's already fallen ... with over 3 months still remaining in the current crop year. And, sadly, more potential rainfall in the forecast.

Previous ReportPTSD in Cattle Attacked By Wolves Pt 2
Next ReportSnow Cover Record In Lind Good News For Wheat Growers Pt 2