05/16/07 A strong outlook for commodity prices

Washington Ag May 16, 2007 With apples around $18 dollars a box Washington growers are seeing the best prices in ten years. Grain prices have seen 10 year highs as well and the USDA recently forecast even better wheat prices for this coming year. USDA chief economist Keith Collins says the latest outlook report indicates livestock producers should have a good price year too. Collins: "We are looking at strong prices for fed cattle, for hogs, for broilers and an all-time record high price for milk." USDA's projections of course are subject to change. And while one side of the ledger may show higher commodity and product prices, there is the cost side for inputs and those are up too. Skagit county reports limited planting of raspberries this year because of last year's lower prices but with media attention on antioxidants there has been an increase in price for blueberries. The Washington State University Board of Regents has decided to name the Plant Biosciences Facility I building on the Pullman campus the Orville A. Vogel Plant Sciences Building. Vogel served as an Agriculture Research Service scientist and a WSU faculty member from 1931 to 1972. He and his wheat breeding team developed the first semi-dwarf wheats which boosted yields for growers. I'm Bob Hoff.