04/30/07 Wheat and Barley varietal survey

Washington Ag April 27, 2007 Washington farm operators will soon be asked about wheat and barley varieties they planted to be harvested in 2007. This survey is one of the largest and most important surveys conducted by the Washington Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Allen Funk with the Washington Field Office of NASS says data from this survey is important for several reasons. Funk: "Their participation provides a vehicle by which samples can be selected for the wheat quality work conducted by the Wheat Marketing Center, assisting grain growers in making valid production, marketing and investment decisions. Farmer participation provides information for seed producers and dealers, ensuring ample seed is available for the most popular varieties. The Washington Barley Commission and the Washington Wheat Commission rely heavily on the data to help make sound research, marketing and export decisions. Chris Messer, Director of the NASS Washington Field Office says as with all their surveys there is confidentiality of individual responses. Both the Washington Wheat and Barley Commissions provide funding for the survey. Results are generally published in July and one thing the Wheat Commission will be looking for is any shift from soft white wheat varieties to hard red wheats. I'm Bob Hoff.