Wet August ruins barley crop

There’s been more rain this August in eastern Idaho then we’ve seen in 40 years. And that rain has taken one of Idaho’s most abundant and high quality barley crops ever and ruined it.

The Idaho Barley Commission just toured the area and says we’re looking at millions of dollars of lost economic value. Maybe up to 60 percent of the malt barley crop has sprouted and will be downgraded to cattle feed worth half as much money.

Dwight Little of Newdale has been raising grain and barley for more than 40 years. He’s never seen as wet an August as this year’s.

“My combine has been sitting for a week to 10 days now. We’ve had 3 inches of rain,” said Little. “This is a rarity that we’d have this much rain this year. It’s causing a real problem.”

Idaho Barley Commissioner Kelly Olson said it’s tough for farmers not to panic. Their anxiety is justified.

“I’m sure a lot of producers are in panic mode. They’ve sunk a tremendous amount of costs into producing this crop,” said Olson.

The commission is recommending farmers go ahead and harvest using their best management practices. Avoid harvesting the lodged barley or the barley that is lying down. Store your barley with good aeration to dry it out. And try to avoid dumping your barley for feed because that forces the feed prices down.

Good malt barley is going for $6.30 a bushel, and feed barley is going for $3 a bushel.

Farmers need to hold on for a tough ride.

“I wouldn’t trade this job for any other job on earth,” said Little.