01/21/08 The competition for spring cropping acres

Washington Ag January 21, 2008 Given strong prices for just about any commodity right now it is an interesting year for decision making on spring cropping. Dana Herron of Tri-State Seed in Connell says the competition for land in the Columbia Basin is ever increasing. Herron: "Potato growers are interested in having acres for growing potatoes of course. And so are the bluegrass growers, need production acres. And the sweet corn processing plants in the Columbia Basin also need acres because they have plants to run. So the competition for those acres is becoming keen. As the price of land increases so does the rental value and there is a big race right now for acres for crops." Herron says a farmer with a poor stand of alfalfa this spring may take it out and plant spring wheat, which would allow a return to alfalfa. But sweet corn could be planted too which would allow for double cropping. Herron: "All these decisions, because of the race for land, I think will be made at the last minute. Some very exciting times in the Columbia Basin." Spring wheat seed supplies are very tight for both white and red wheats. That means higher seed prices, something farmer and Washington Wheat Commission Chairman Hal Johnson was warned about last fall. Herron: "My seed dealer last fall when I was complaining about the price of seed said, "You haven't seen anything yet. You will think this is a real deal when it comes to next spring." I'm Bob Hoff.