Farmers' Hopes Dashed as Wheat Yields Fall Far Short in the Palouse
Despite promising reports a month ago, farmers near Farmington are finding their wheat averaging only 12 to 15 bushels per acre, forcing some to cut their crops for hay. A bug infestation is adding to the misery.
Harvest work is now under way in all sections of the Palouse. Of course the northeastern portion of the county is usually a few weeks later. Many farmers about here are now putting up hay. Complaint is being made by farmers west of here of a bug that is destroying the grain, and the damage done is reported to be as great as that accomplished from the squirrel pest. Another disappointment from some of the farmers about Farmington who have threshed some fall wheat and estimating the yield in the field to be about 40 bushels per acre, turns out that the grain is averaging 12 to 15 bushels. A few farmers have become so discouraged, after closely examining their wheat, that they have decided to cut it for hay only, as it would not pay to put it through a machine. Farmers are now in doubt if the yield will be anything like the reports sent out a month ago. Grain that appears to have plenty of straw contains little wheat. Little Club, however, appears to be the only variety that is holding up.—Tekoa Times.
“A few farmers have become so discouraged, after closely examining their wheat, that they have decided to cut it for hay only, as it would not pay to put it through a machine.”
Farmers in the Palouse have always been at the mercy of weather, pests, and market forces. This 1898 report of disappointing wheat yields echoes the challenges modern farmers face with climate change and unpredictable harvests. Then as now, a failed crop can mean financial ruin for families and communities.
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