Pink Snow Mold in SW Washington Wheat Fields Pt 1

I'm Bob Larson. As winter passes, hopefully, and the snow fades away, some Southeast Washington wheat growers are finding an unwelcome, and unusual visitor in their fields.

WSU plant pathologist Tim Murray says the Pink Snow Mold is not unheard-of in Washington state, but ...

TIM MURRAY ... "In this particular case, it was a surprise because of where we found it. When we call something a snow mold that's actually kind of a generic term for one of several different organisms that can grow on wheat plants under the snow. We have about three different snow mold diseases in Washington state that are all caused by fungi and in this case Pink Snow Mold was found in an area where don't typically see snow mold diseases."

Murray says growers are still in that 3-to-4-week stage after the snow melts to see just how bad the damage will be ...

TIM MURRAY ... "Just looking at some of the sights myself, we know there's going to be damage severe enough to kill the plants, or kill some of the plants in those patches. The real question for the growers is how big are the patches and are there enough within a field to justify reseeding the field with, or parts of those fields with, Spring wheat."

Murray says growers should have a much better idea in the next week or two.

Listen next time to hear what options the growers have and the deadlines they face.