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Pacific Northwest Wheat Farmers Ahead of Schedule, 'Hopeful' for Spring After Mild Winter by Matthew Weaver Capital Press, April 10, 2026

Drought, pests and disease pressure loom

Pacific Northwest wheat farmers are ahead of schedule following an "unconventional" winter, the region's leaders say.

"It is still quite early in the season to be able to predict crop outcomes, but we are hopeful -- dare I say even optimistic? -- about the 2026 wheat crop in Idaho," said Britany Hurst Marchant, executive director of the Idaho Wheat Commission.

Idaho farmers saw a "warm, very dry, very windy winter," she said. Winter wheat was planted into decent moisture last autumn.

"Farmers are weeks ahead of schedule on the farm this year due to the warmer temperatures and lack of snow cover," Hurst Marchant added.

Washington also saw a generally warm winter, including a prolonged dry stretch and below-normal snowpack. Washington ranked among the 10 warmest winters on record, Washington Grain Commission executive director Casey Chumrau said.

"Regional reports indicate that the winter wheat crop is more advanced than usual for this date," Chumrau said. Farmers started spring work earlier than normal, with spring planting about 10% to 15% complete, the same timing as 2025, she said.

"Right now, conditions are mostly positive with good momentum heading into spring if the weather cooperates," Chumrau said.

Oregon's winter wheat crop has "strong establishment" following fall plantings, Oregon Wheat CEO Amanda Hoey said. USDA figures for April place the Oregon winter wheat crop at 63% good or excellent across the state.

With the warmer winter, disease and pest pressures are anticipated to be increased, all three commission executive directors said.

Moisture

"The snowpack in Idaho is the lowest it has been since records started to be kept in 1935 and reservoir levels are OK, but below average this year, which is cause for concern for irrigators," Hurst Marchant said.

Overall, soil moisture in Oregon looks good for this time of year, but low snowpack and reservoir levels indicate "upcoming challenges" for irrigated areas, Hoey said.

Most regions in Washington received good rainfall in the last month, helping to make up a bit for the lack of moisture over the winter.

"Soil moisture remains mixed and a lot more rain will be needed," Chumrau said.

Price

"Low prices and high input costs continue to squeeze farmers and will likely affect planting decisions and crop management choices this spring and summer," Chumrau said.

Fuel, fertilizer and other input prices were high even before military conflicts and war with Iran, so the current situations have only intensified the challenge for farmers, particularly looking ahead to the rest of the crop year, Oregon's Hoey said.

"While there are issues now with the rising costs associated with spring planting and spring field work, there is even more potential concern as we head into the summer for harvest and the fall for winter wheat planting," she said. "Wheat farmers are already struggling, so anything driving costs higher makes it tougher to maintain farm viability."

"Low prices across all crops, especially wheat, are increasing the risks on the farm," Hurst Marchant echoed.

"These factors have heightened stress on the farm, and that increase in stress, risk, unpredictability, and anxiety have real impacts on farmer mental health, which is always our top priority and the root of sustainability and industry viability."

Related Pages:
Wheat, Corn, Soybean Prices are Below Breakeven, Signaling Fourth Year of Losses by Matthew Weaver, Capital Press, 5/8/26
USDA: Larger Wheat Supplies, Fewer Exports, Lower Prices by Matthew Weaver, Capital Press, 3/12/25
Congress to Pay Farmers as Wheat and Barley Prices Tanked by Tom Peterson, Columbia Connection, 1/7/25
Abundant Wheat Supplies Depress World Prices, But Hope Emerges by Carol Ryan Dumas, Capital Press, 12/24/24
Global Wheat Stocks Tight, Prices Volatile in Year of War, Drought by Carol Ryan Dumas, Capital Press, 12/20/22