the Prosser Record-Bulletin and Grandview Herald

VALLEY FARM LIFEA Special Supplement to July 18, 2012the Prosser Record-Bulletinand Grandview HeraldFarming inand aroundthe YakimaValley

Page 3 • Valley Farm Life 2012From MONARCH BUTTERFLY on page 2summer days in the field. In the backseatof his Prius, a small carrier enclosed in adark bag houses a lone male Monarch witha tag. He will show the WSP offendershow to tag the butterflies they’re raisingwhen he arrives in Walla Walla.James’s expertise revolves aroundDanaus plexippus, the Monarch as it isscientifically known, which translatesto “sleepy transformation” in Greek. Hereared and tagged thousands of Monarchbutterflies in Australia during the 1980s.Twelve research papers and his doctoraldissertation resulted from that experience.“I have a long history with thiscreature,” he says, his English accentsoftened and skewed somewhat by histime in the outback.Many studies and tagging programschronicle the migration of eastern U.S.Monarch populations, but not much hasbeen learned about the butterfly’s activitiesin the west. According to James, PacificNorthwest Monarchs likely spend theirwinters along the California coastline.Then in January and February, they beginflying north and east to establish breedingpopulations in milkweed patches mostlywithin California. These newly hatchedMonarchs continue to migrate northand east in April and May into Oregon,Washington, Idaho and southern Canadaand produce another generation ortwo before making their way back toCalifornia in late summer and fall.No one knows why they go toCalifornia, James says. The theory isthat western Monarchs use day lengthas their cue that winter is coming. Buttagging programs done on this region’sbutterfly population have been largelyconfined to overwintering colonies inCalifornia. Tagging Pacific NorthwestMonarchs while they are migrating willprovide more answers. It’s possible, too,that some end up in the famous Mexicanoverwintering colonies.James’s project may also help todetermine why Monarch populations inCalifornia have substantially decreased inthe last decade. The WSU entomologisthas also noted reduced sightings ofPacific Northwest Monarchs during thesummer—just a handful the past twoyears. The culprit for the decline appears tobe loss of breeding habitat and milkweedbecause of increased agricultural activityand urban expansion.Droughts in the west may also beresponsible for habitat loss. If scientistsand the public want to conserve andincrease Monarch populations, they needto know where spring and fall butterfliesfly to in the Pacific Northwest and whatroutes they take.So why is James’s study startingat the penitentiary in Walla Walla?In Washington, bringing science andprisons together isn’t new. Since 2008,the Sustainability in Prisons Project, apartnership between Evergreen StateCollege and the Washington StateDepartment of Corrections, has teamedup inmates, prison staff and scientiststo help restore endangered species andhabitats. The program also promotessustainable prison operations throughenergy conservation, recycling and more.Inmates from four Washingtoncorrectional facilities have raised Oregonspotted frogs, Taylor’s checkerspotbutterflies and native prairie plants—inaddition to developing valuable job skills,confidence and a restored connection withnature.Washington State Penitentiary isn’tamong the four facilities participating inthe Sustainability in Prisons Project, butAssociate Superintendent Chris Bowmanand other prison administrators haveinitiated sustainability efforts at WallaWalla nonetheless. After reading aboutthe Oregon spotted frog success, Bowmanasked Tamara Russell, clinical director ofWSP’s Residential Mental Health Unit,about starting a butterfly conservationproject with WSP offenders.Russell learned about James’s workas director of WSU’s Vineyard Beautywith Benefits Project, which seeks touse native plants to beautify vineyards—and attract beneficial insects like nativebees and butterflies as well as predatorsfor pest control. She contacted Jamesabout whether he had a research projectinvolving butterflies that WSP inmatescould participate in. And that’s how“incarcerated citizen science,” asJames dubs it, began for WSU and thepenitentiary. Bowman couldn’t be morepleased.“It’s been a really exciting program andhas had a positive impact,” he says. “Ourgoal is to give the inmates something tolook forward to when they wake up in themorning.”“From a mental health standpoint, thishas been very beneficial for the inmates,”Russell adds. “We know that havingan activity that allows inmates to giveback to the community helps alleviatedepression from long-term incarceration.It gives them a focus and a purpose fortheir lives. They’re involved in somethingbigger than themselves that has meaning.”The Butterfly WranglersBruce Bushey remembers picking tentcaterpillars from his grandfather’s cherryorchard as a kid, so handling the Monarchcaterpillars at the penitentiary is familiarto him. He and other WSP offendersworking with James and Russell have beencareful to keep the Monarch containersclean and to not touch the caterpillars withtheir fingers when moving them, usingpaintbrushes and paper instead. The resultis that out of the 600 Monarch eggs thatJames sent to WSP, about 450 caterpillarsare now pupating. A great return for theinmates’ first time raising Monarchs.“It’s so fast. It’s just a fascinatingprocess,” Bushey says. “What I’velearned, I’ll pass on to other inmates.”More inmates are interested inparticipating in the Monarch-rearingprogram, though it didn’t start that way.Gilbert London admits that he took alot of ribbing in the beginning; someoffenders asked him if he was going toadd a butterfly tattoo to those he alreadyhas.But now the men are asking Londonabout the butterflies’ progress. He andothers involved in the project have a newnickname that reflects their newfoundknowledge and skills: The ButterflyDown a old gravel roadOn a hill I go homeTo visit the reasonsI don’t feel alone…Where good people love meCause I’m one of their own.A place out in the countryThat I call Home sweet home…Where chickens are layingAnd horses run free…Coming HomeWranglers. And like Bushey, Londonwants to transfer those skills to someoneelse.“Maybe if I can do this, I can helpother guys who come here, pass along alittle bit of wisdom I attain here,” he says.“If I can do something to help them, I’dlike to do that.”Your TreeandVine ExpertsBy Connetta JeanWhere Grandma is baking a pie just forme.Where all the men gatherBy the barn talking cars…And women talk about babies andempty out canning jars.Where children feel safeEven when they are grown.And love is the reasonIt still feels like home…Note: The Monarch butterflies atWashington State Penitentiary aretentatively scheduled to be released theweek of July 9. Individuals who spot atagged Monarch are asked to email theaddress or call the phone number listedon the tag and note the serial number ofthe butterfly.WILBUR ELLISIdeas to Grow WithServing your organic andconventional needs for over 50 years.1301 W. Wine Country RoadGrandview • 882-4334

* The terms “rural” and “urban” here refer to data for nonmetro and metro areas, a county-level classification defined by theOffice of Management and Budget. We use the June 2003 version of nonmetro and metro areas because it reflects conditionsat the beginning of the decade.PageSee What6is•Rural?Valleyfor a discussionFarmof differencesLifebetween2012metro-nonmetro categories andthe Census Bureau’s rural-urban classification.Organic AgricultureWashington State farm statisticsmost recent results availableOrganic agriculture 2006 2007 2008Certified operations (number) 558 631 697Crops (acres) 56,137 67,668 82,755Pasture & rangeland (acres) 10,651 13,831 13,411Total (acres) 66,788 81,499 96,166More information on organic agriculture in Washington• Organic Production Data• Organic Agriculture Topic Page• Contact • Catherine • Greene, 202-694-5541.LOOK UP...AND LIVE!Farm CharacteristicsCensus of Agriculture 1997 2002 2007Approximate total land area (acres) 42,611,998 42,588,197 42,540,079Farmland (acres) Irrigation pipe and electricalpower lines play crucialroles on today’s farms. Butthe two should never comeinto contact with each other.15,778,606 15,318,008 14,972,789Page 3 of 7Benton REA reminds you to look up and make sure nopower lines are around when you’re working with irrigationpipes, ladders, or antennas.BENTONRURALELECTRICSafetyFirst!A Touchstone Energy ® CooperativeFor more information about electricalsafety or our electrical safetydemonstration, call Benton REA at:786-2913 or 1-800-221-6987402 7th Street • Prosser • Email: info@bentonrea.orgWWW.BENTONREA.ORGSOME PEOPLEARE SHOCKEDBY WHAT THEYFIND WHENTHEY DIG INTHEIR YARDS.It’s that time of year when people beginpoking all kinds of holes in the ground.New trees, shrubs, fence posts, mail boxes;you name it. All require some digging ...a hole from a foot to several feet deep.The problem these days is that you don’treally know what you are going to dig into,it could be a buried utility line, 220 volts ofelectricity or you may chop right into thecable TV line.

WE WANT TOHELP GROWYOUR PORTFOLIO.Drought and cold weathermay keep you from gettingthe best results from yourcrops. Inflation and othereconomic factors couldkeep you from getting thebest results from yourinvestments.www.edwardjones.com Member SIPCPage 7 • Valley Farm Life 2012Alpacas are “green” from field to fleecePhoto provided by Alpaca Owners andBreeders AssociationEven youngsters enjoy raising thegentle, eco-friendly alpaca.While we can’t control One of the few leader, professionals and we still know making that under house his calls.the weather or markets,direction we will continue our mission ofBill Jenkin is one of 12,000 Edward Jones financialwe can review your advisors serving individual investors in 50 states. Today,investments, find ways we have more branch offices than any other brokerageto help save money firm on in the country, and we serve more than 6 millionyour taxes and help individual you investors nationwide. Bill is anxious to putprepare for retirement. the extensive resources of Edward Jones to work foryou. He'll meet with you at home or at any otherCall today to schedule convenient a location that suits your needs.complimentary portfolioreview.Bill Jeremy Jenkin, Hunsaker AAMS ®Financial Advisor.1119 Meade AvenueProsser, WA 99350509-786-7787INTRODUCINGmonths.Bill JenkinBy Jennifer ElyAlpacas are “green” machines. Fromtheir modest eating habits, protectionof the pasture and their small grazingarea, alpacas make perfect sense fortoday’s environmentally friendly farm.They make a true organic fertilizer thatis easy to spread or compost. And thenthere’s the magnificent fleece. Thiswarm, incredibly soft fiber comes in 22natural colors and infinite blends, andis sought by enthusiasts everywhere.Most alpaca fleece is hypoallergenic,contains no lanolin requiring excessiveprocessing, and is virtually readyfor hand-spinners as it comes off theBill Jenkin, AAMS®Financial Advisor.1119 Meade AvenueProsser, WA 99350509-786-7787Technician Service, Linear Evaluations,Reproductive Consulting and Direct Herd Saleswww.edwardjones.com Member SIPCalpaca. It is a fashion original.The eco-friendly alpaca is anadaptive breed. They have been aroundfor over 5,000 years and there are manyreasons why. The stock is comfortablein all weather conditions and quicklyadapts to its environment. They areeasy to care for and only require a fewacres of land to thrive.Alpacas consume grass or hay butwon’t eat you out of house or home.A single bale of hay will usually beenough for 20 alpacas for one day.They tread lightly on the ground withsoft padded toes, so grass recovery isquicker, promoting pasture production.Benton REA selects new general managerFollowing a national search, the Boardof Trustees of the Benton Rural ElectricAssociation, with headquarters in Prosser,has selected Mr. Clint Gerkensmeyer asthe new General Manager.Gerkensmeyer, who has served as theEngineering Manager for Benton REAfor the last five years, will assume theresponsibilities of General Manager uponthe retirement of the current managerCharles (Chuck) Dawsey.Dawsey has been General Manager ofBenton REA for 24 years and retired onJune 1.Virgil Boyle, Benton REA’s boardpresident, said that the board unanimouslyselected Gerkensmeyer following anationwide search conducted over many“His leadership skills, educationalbackground and industry experience,along with his personal traits that reflectBenton’s culture, make him an outstandingchoice for this position,” Boyle said.“He is a trusted employee and respectedClint Gerkensmeyerserving our members with reliable energyat the lowest possible cost.“We have been fortunate to have hadstrong leadership under Chuck for thepast 24 years and look forward to strongleadership with Clint as our new manager.”Alpacas only nibble at the tops ofgrasses and do not rip plants from thesoil as other livestock do. The result isless destruction of the land.From families to retirees, the alpacalifestyle offers numerous valuesseemingly lost in today’s fast pacedculture. With heightened interest insustainable farming, alpacas are fastbecoming the livestock of choice.If you would like to know moreabout owning alpacas for fun andprofit, contact local breeders John andJennifer Ely of Sage Bluff Alpacas,786-4507, or www.sagebluffalpacas.com.Fun Farm FactsHow many apples eaten inthe US are from WashingtonState?6 out of 10 - The most popularvarieties are Red Delicious,Granny Smith, Golden Deliciousand Gala.What state produces themost cranberries?Wisconsin - Each year,cranberry producers growmore than 300 million poundsof the tart berries.What nut is the peachrelated to?Almond - Almonds are stonefruits related to cherries,plums and peaches. Californiaproduces 80% of the world’ssupply of almonds.YOUR SUCCESSOur PassionAlan Yost • 509-546-7855 Bill Van de Graaf • 509-840-2868All West/Select Sires • P.O. Box 507Burlington, WA 98233 • 1-800-426-2697www.allwestselectsires.com contact@allwestselectsires.com

Page 8 • Valley Farm Life 2012Attract birds and butterflies no matter what size your landscapeBy gardening expert, TV/radio hostand author Melinda MyersAdd a little extra color and motionto your summer garden with containersdesigned to attract birds and butterflies.Many garden centers continue to sellannuals throughout the summer andmany of these mid-season annuals area bit bigger, providing instant impact.It’s easier than you think to attractbirds and butterflies and the good newsis you don’t need a lot of space to do it.Container gardens give you the abilityto attract wildlife to your backyard,patio, deck or even balcony. Simplyfollow these four steps and your gardenwill be filled with color, motion and aseason of wildlife.1-Provide food for birds andbutterflies. Include plants with flatdaisy-like flowers like pentas, zinnias,and cosmos to attract butterflies. Forhummingbirds, include some plantswith tubular flowers including nicotiana,cuphea, salvia, and fuchsia. And don’tforget about the hungry caterpillars thatwill soon turn into beautiful butterflies.Parsley, bronze fennel, and licoricevines are a few favorites that makegreat additions to container gardens.You can even create containers thatwill attract seed-eating birds. PurpleMajesty millet, coneflower, coreopsis,and Rudbeckias will keep many of thebirds returning to your landscape.2-Include water for both the birdsand butterflies. It’s a key ingredient anda decorative small shallow containerfilled with water can be included ina large container. Or include a freestandingbirdbath within your containercollection. I used a bronzed leafbirdbath in just this way. It created agreat vertical accent, added interest to ablank wall and provided a water supplyfor the birds.3-Give them a place to live and raisetheir young. Add a few evergreens,ornamental grasses, and perennials toyour container garden. Use weatherresistant containers that can tolerate theextreme heat and cold in your garden.Then fill with plants that are at least onezone hardier. Or add a few birdhouses.These can be included in the containeror mounted on a fence, post, or nearbytree.4-Skip the pesticides, please. Nature,including the birds you invite into yourlandscape, will devour many gardenpests. Plus, the chemicals designed tokill the bad guys can also kill the goodbugs and wildlife you are trying toattract. And, if pests get out of hand, usemore eco-friendly products like soaps,Neem, and horticulture oil as a controlmechanism. And, as always, read andfollow label directions carefully.And to conserve time and energy,try using one of the self-wateringcontainers or hanging baskets that areon the market. This helps to make itColumbia Basin Denture CareJoshua D. Brooks 786-2963STOP Licensed SUFFERINGDenturist 800-591-22401225 Meade Avenue • ProsserWITH MISSING OR FAILING TEETH.WITH MISSING OR FAILING TEETH.DENTAL IMPLANTS:DENTAL IMPLANTS:New Hope For Denture WearersNew Hope For Denture WearersEXPERIENCE: Our caring and highEXPERIENCE: tech services Our caring and hightech servicesFREE: Extraction, implant and dentalFREE: consultations. Extraction, implant and dentalconsultations.ONE LOW PRICE: On full mouthONE extractions, LOW implants PRICE: and On dentures. full mouthextractions, implants and dentures.FREEFREECONSULTATION,EXAM & XRAYCONSULTATION,EXAM & XRAYA $250 ValueA $250 ValueDr. Bradly Frank & FamilyDr. Bradly Frank & Family“Building a Tradition of Excellence”NORTHWEST DENTAL IMPLANT CENTERLocations in Prosser, Kennewick,Yakima, and Walla Walla 1-800-648-99050%FINANCINGAvailableWorking with Dr. Frank,Premier Care Dental Implant CenterNow offering implants for existing denturesExperience: Our caring and high tech servicesFree: Extraction, implant and dental consultationsOne Low Price: On full mouth extractions, implantsand dentures. Call 1-800-648-9905Amablemente atendido por el professional bilinguePhoto courtesy of Melinda Myers, LLCContainers like this make it easy and fun to attract birds and butterflies, no matter howlittle space you have to work with.Meet the lovable and profitableALPACAthe perfect livestockfor small acreage!Farm tours daily by appointment.Call today to schedule yours!Prosser, WA - 509.786.4507www.sagebluffalpacas.comVANESSAColumbia Basin Denture/ NW Dental Implant Ctr.NW Dental 3x6

Page 9 • Valley Farm Life 2012We Salute OurHardworkingLinda and Tom DenchelDedicated FarmersSale PricesEverydayExcellent Value • Great SelectionAlways Convenient • Heartfelt Service“Our Families, Serving YourFamilies, and Our Community”Tom Denchel’sFORDCOUNTRY.COMPROSSER • 786-2155 • 800-762-3673

Cattle prices remain strong throughoutthe U.S. due to short supplies, accordingto a second-quarter market report fromNorthwest Farm Credit Services.After one of the driest years on recordfor much of the Southern Plains, recentpasture conditions have improved.However, conditions across the Plainsand the Midwest have deterioratedsignificantly since last year. As a result,higher numbers of cattle have been sent toslaughter, further reducing cattle supplies.Forecasters are not predicting significantcattle inventory expansion until 2015 or2016.Profitability remains positive for cow/calf and stocker operations, the reportsaid, while feedlots have been challengedwith slimmer margins due to high feedercattle prices.Daily price volatility in all segments ofthe cattle industry has created challengesfor producers when contracting cattle.Price volatility is expected to remainthrough 2012 and beyond.Price discussionCattle prices across all industrysegments are up from last year and aresignificantly higher than the five-yearaverage. Retail beef prices have increasedin 2012, leading to firm bids for fed cattlefrom processors.Cash fed steer prices wereapproximately $120 per cwt in May, anincrease of roughly 10 percent from yearagolevels. Producers throughout theNorthwest have begun contracting thePage 10 • Valley Farm Life 2012Short cattle supplies help keep market strong2012 calf crop. The Superior LivestockAuction video sale held June 6 and 7 sawrecord prices. Prices this year averaged$0.30 to $0.50 per pound higher than2011 prices. Calf and feeder pricesincreased 30 percent in 2012 compared to2011 levels, a larger increase than that offed cattle prices.This has resulted in a widening spreadbetween feeder cattle prices and fed cattleprices. This spread can only widen so farbefore feeder cattle prices decrease orfeed cattle prices increase.Supply, demand and tradeCattle and beef supplies remain tight.According to the USDA, 2012 beefproduction through June 9 is estimatedat 11.02 billion pounds, down 2.8 percentcompared to the same period in 2011.Year-to-date cattle slaughter numbersare down nearly 700,000 head comparedto 2011, a drop of 4.6 percent year-overyear.However, beef production hasn’tdeclined at the same rate as slaughternumbers as average dressed weights in2012 have increased by over 20 poundsper head.Beef demand has gained momentumheading into the summer grilling seasonafter suffering setbacks earlier this springfrom negative press around Lean FinelyTextured Beef and the discovery of BSEin a California dairy cow.Despite these issues, wholesale beefprices have increased, indicating consumerdemand for beef remains relatively strong.The trusted sourcefor all yourag business solutions.Photo by Richard BurgerCattle graze on pasture near Grandview. Short cattle supplies have helped keep themarket strong, with prices significantly higher than the five-year average.According to the USDA Market News,pork cutout prices are down 6 percentin the second week of June compared to2011 levels. Broiler prices have increasedapproximately 5 percent year-over-year.Boxed beef prices are up 12 percentcompared to year-ago levels, indicatingpork and chicken prices have becomemore competitive with beef prices in2012.This will impact consumer purchases,and could temper further growth ofdomestic beef demand.Beef exports remain a key marketcomponent. According to the CMEGroup Daily Livestock Report, April beefexports increased 7 percent from Marchlevels, while year-to-date beef exports aredown 10.5 percent compared to the sameperiod in 2011.However, the value of 2012 beefexports year-to-date is up almost 5 percentover the same period in 2011, indicatingstrong demand from foreign consumers inSouth Korea, Canada, Japan, Mexico, andRussia.OutlookSeveral factors will influence the marketgoing forward, including the short supplyof domestic cattle, foreign trade activity,tight domestic supplies of competingproteins, global economic creditproblems, continued high unemployment,and the health of the domestic economy.Strong prices have improved manyproducers’ bottom lines, and 2012 shouldbe another profitable year for cow/calfproducers.We offer: • Real estate financing• Equipment financing• Operating lines of Credit• Country Home and Lot Loan programs• Crop Insurance• Appraisal• Professional Education andStrategic Planning• Leading Industry Information• Debt ProtectionCall us today.509.836.3088 | 888.667.5863farm-credit.comQuality AutoRepair at anAffordable PriceAUTO SERVICECENTEROwners Cliff & Sally Bohlke♦ Diagnostic Testing ♦ Coolant Flush♦ Complete Engine Repair ♦ Electrical Repair♦ Transmission Service ♦ Oil Change♦ AC Service & Repair ♦ TuneupsBrake Replacement Service & Repair~ Accept Most Extended Service Contracts ~Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.1123 Wine Country Road • Prosser • 786-3826Se hablaespañol

Page 11 • Valley Farm Life 2012Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!The Great Grandview Grape Stompis coming. The event will be held onSaturday, September 8, at the GrandviewCampus of Yakima Valley CommunityCollege. It starts at 1 p.m.Anyone who has not before seen grapestomping in person is no doubt familiarwith the concept as this practice pervadespop culture. Arguably the most famousexample of wine stomping in media is aclassic scene from I Love Lucy in whichcomedians Lucille Ball stomped ongrapes and got into a fight with an Italianspeakinggrape stomper. More recently,there is a widely-circulated viral video ofFOX 5 news reporter Melissa Sander fellout of a grape tub and onto the ground.As a result of that accident, Sander spentweeks in the hospital.One may have also come across oneof the many grape-stomping events thattake place across the country. Like theGrandview Stomp, these other eventsinvolve people competing to see whocould create the greatest amount of juiceby stepping on grapes with their barefeet. Meanwhile, team members in thesecompetitions will catch the juice. Thewinning team is the one that can make theheaviest collection of juice. Competitorsdescribe this stomping as an athleticactivity, as it is extremely tiring.Some spectators, however, will seesuch activity and feel something otherthan the humor attempted by Lucy,the pity inspired by the newscaster, oramazement at the stomp competitors. Thesight of feet touching juice makes somepeople sick. How could a person stomachjuice that had been pressed out by a pairof feet?Such grape stomping is actually anancient wine-making practice that fadedaway rather recently. We can be certainthat it goes back to at least the time ofthe Ancient Romans, as they depictedit in their art. It was also, for centuries,a celebratory activity, as people ofneighboring communities would gettogether to celebrate the harvest. Thepractice continued until it was replacedmore and more by the wine press andother machinery.Illegal as a practice to makecommercial wine, grape stomping islargely an attraction of events like theGreat Grandview Grape Stomp.Last year’s event featured around 100contestants in 28 teams, all trying to seewho could squeeze out the largest amountFun Farm FactsHow many honeybees does ittake to produce a tablespoonof honey?of juice, determined by juice weight.They competed in different categories –corporate, adult, 10 – 17 years of age, andunder 10. One team of adults won theircategory, and created more juice than anyother team, by making nearly 16 poundsof juice.In addition to the stomping contest,the Great Grandview Grape Stomp alsoincludes costumes, entertainment, andmore.You may find out more informationabout the Great Grandview Grape Stompby checking out www.visitgrandview.org.Photo submittedThe Great Grandview Grape Stomp will be held on September 8 at YVCC, Grandview.Ready to Help24/7Physicians and nurses staff ourEmergency Department 24/7. If youneed care they are ready.Our Emergency Department has 13 treatment rooms.Also from 10 to 10 every day we offer an immediatecare service for those with less acute illness.Community support through our Foundation createdour New Emergency Department and now we are hereto care for you.If you are in an emergencycall 9-1-1.12 - Twelve busy little bees mustcollect the nectar from 2,000flowers to make a tablespoon ofhoney.FOUNDATIONNWe treat you like familyMarla Davis, R.N.

Lower ValleyThe Pacific Northwest pear industryis entering the final months of the2011/12 marketing year. Overallthe season has proved challenging,according to a second-quarter marketreport from Northwest Farm CreditPage 12 • Valley Farm Life 2012Shop Inc.104 West 5th StGrandview, WA 98930Service.The record Bus. Ph: crop 509-882-3881 of 20.6 millionboxes wasHomedelayedPh:a509-786-7617week to ten days,forcing marketing desks to make up forlost ground throughout the year.However, the season has not beenLower ValleyOwner: Brian ClarkeShop Inc.Quality Welding and Machine WorkOwner: Brian ClarkeComplete Industrial HardwareWelding • Fabricating • Metal Spraying104 West 5th St Bus. Ph: 509-882-3881Grandview, WA 98930 Home Ph: 509-786-7617104 West 5th St. • Grandview • 882-3881SUNNYSIDE GLASSResidential & Commercial~ Serving The Valley Since 1953 ~1200 E. Lincoln • 837-5133We Are Your View To The World Around You!Window ReplacementIn Your Business or Home~ Ask Us About Retro-Fit Windows ~WE DO MORE THAN BREAKAGE REPAIR!• Velux skylights • Therma-Tru & Fiber Classic doors• Shower doors • Alside & Atrium windows• Garden windows • Summit windows and patio doors• Screens • Alliance Door products• Mirrors • Arcadia commercial entriesONE CONVENIENT STOP FOR AUTO GLASSReplacement and RepairDMI ROCK CHIP REPAIRHours: Monday - Friday • 8 a.m.-5 p.m.Machine WorkOwner: Brian Clarke104 West 5th St • Grandview, WA 98930Bus. Ph: 509-882-3881 • Home Ph: 509-786-7617Quality Welding and Machine WorkOwner: Brian ClarkeLower ValleyLower ValleyOwner: Brian ClarkeShop Inc.Bus. Ph: 509-882-3881Home Ph: 509-786-7617Shop Inc.Quality Welding and Machine WorkOwner: Brian Clarke104 West 5th StGrandview, WA 98930Bus. Ph: 509-882-3881Home Ph: 509-786-7617Export market strength bolsters pear prospectsHometown Boy ... Hometown Values!DaveMartin FamilyAUTO SALESwithout success, with pear cropmovement bolstered by strength inexport markets, the report said.Exports to Mexico have already seta new record, and export volume toBrazil is at near-record levels.The 2011/12 crop is 15.5 percentlarger than last year’s 17.8 million boxcrop and 2.0 percent larger than theprevious record of 20.1 million boxesset in 2009/10.By volume, shipments are up 17.2percent from last year, and are lessthan one percent ahead of the similarlylarge crop of 2009/10. To date, 96.7percent of the 2011/12 pear crop hasbeen moved compared to 95.3 percentlast year and 98.4 percent two yearsago.Record pear movement to Mexicois supported by the suspension of a 20percent retaliatory tariff on U.S. pearsthis past fall. So far this season, exportvolume to Mexico is up 33.1 percentfrom 2010/11and up 22.2 percent fromtwo years ago. Sales to Brazil are up86.5 percent year-over-year, and only3.8 percent behind the record exportpace set in 104 2009/10. West 5th StMovement Grandview, to ‘Off WA Shore’ 98930 exportmarkets is up 24.8 percent from2010/11 Bus. and Ph: 9.5 509-882-3881percent higher thantwo years Home ago. (The Ph: 509-786-7617Off Shore categoryis mainly comprised of Russia,Colombia, the United Arab Emirates(UAE), Hong Kong, and India, thetop U.S. pear export markets outsideMexico, Canada, and Brazil.)Pear movement to Mexico, Canadaand the domestic market was notablyweak during the 2010/11 marketingyear. As with Mexico, the domesticmarket experienced a rebound in sales.Domestic shipments are up 13.5percent year-over-year, but are behind4.3 percent from 2009/10. On the otherhand, movement to Canada remainssluggish; behind 6.1 percent from lastyear and 12.4 percent from two yearsago.Given the record crop size, pearprices largely weakened throughout the2011/12 season to promote movement.The season-to-date average price forall Washington pear varieties was near$18.75 at the end of June, comparedto slightly above $21.50 a year earlier.Season average prices, though,remain above the $17.45 season-todateaverage for the similarly sizedcrop of 2009/10.Come By and See 104 The West Late 5th StModelGrandview, WA 98930Used Vehicles We Have In Stock . . .Something For Every BudgetIF WE DON’T HAVE IT . . . WE CAN GET IT!. . . We Treat You Like Family355 Wine Country RoadProsser • 786-5344OutlookThe Northwest pear industry willcontinue to focus on creating an orderlyfinish to the 2011/12 pear crop. Pricesfor most pear varieties have supportedpositive grower returns this year.Growers with large size Bosc didwell, but those with smaller fruitgarnered lower returns. The tail-endof the Bosc crop may see additionaldownward price pressure.Late season D’ Anjou prices haveexperienced some recent strengthening,and may find additional support fromexport sales to Mexico. The Mexicanpear market is generally strongest latein the year, with sales stretching intoAugust.At an estimated 19.3 million boxes,the 2012/13 crop should be moreQuality Welding andMachine WorkLower Valleymanageable than last year’s crop. PearBureau Northwest projects a 9 percentdecrease in the Green D‘ Anjou crop,and a 14 percent decrease in the Bosccrop.Smaller crops for these varietiesShop Ishould help boost late season growerreturns above levels experiencedduring the 2011/12 marketing year.As the industry Owner: looks Brian ahead, Clarkeinstances of fire blight and heavier thannormal fruit drop 104 West may impact 5th St • the Grandview, size WAof the coming crop.Bus. Ph: 509-882-3881 • Home Ph: 509-7Additionally, the industry may bechallenged to get the entire 2012/13crop picked. The Northwest tree fruitindustry is not expected to recover fromthe labor shortage that was evident lastQuality Welding and Machineyear, and the pear crop will competefor pickers with an expected recordsize apple crop.Fun Farm FactsHow many pounds of tomatoesdoes the average Americaneat each year?22 lbs. - More than half thenation’s tomato consumptionis in the form of ketchup andtomato sauce.Lower ValleyWhat is the oldest knownplant used for livestock feed?Alfalfa - Records of its use aslivestock feed date to as earlyas 1,000 B.C. Alfalfa is one ofthe most nutritious crops tofeed to animals.Owner: Brian ClarkeShop IHow much broccoli 104 does West the 5th Staverage American Grandview, eat each WA 98930year?4 lbs- We’re eating Bus. 900 Ph: percent 509-882-3881more broccoli than Home we did Ph: 20 509-786-7617years agoHow many glasses of milk canone cow produce in a year?46,000 - The average cowproduces 2,100 pounds of milk amonth.

According to a second-quarter marketreport from Northwest Farm CreditServices, the outlook for the Northwestapple industry is mixed as marketingof the 2011/12 fresh apple crop nearscompletion and growers gear up for the2012/13 crop.The profit potential for the comingcrop is high given price strength inthe current market, the prospect of anempty pipeline as the crops transition,and the certainty of a smaller nationalapple crop for 2012/13.The industry is also facing significantheadwinds as growers deal with adverseweather and a labor shortage that couldleave portions of the apple crop hangingin orchards this fall.As of June 1, the 2011/12 fresh applecrop is estimated at 107.5 million boxes.That compares to the 109.2 million boxrecord set last year and to 102.8 millionboxes for the 2009/10 marketing year.As marketing of the 2011/12 cropwinds down, strong movement iskeeping average apple prices high.Season-to-date average prices near $22per box compare to prices near $19.25per box last year and $19 per box for2009/10.Given good prices and strongdemand, the industry is able to packand market lower grades of fruit thanis customary.Page 13 • Valley Farm Life 2012Prospects positive forthis year’s apple cropNew crop prospectsUnofficial estimates have the 2012/13fresh apple crop pegged at 125 millionboxes; nearly 15 percent larger than the2009/10 marketing year record.The potential for a new fresh croprecord, though, is threatened by adverseweather and the probability of a weaklabor supply. Hail damage has beenwidespread and significant this year,with anecdotal reports suggesting theequivalent of more than 5.5 millionboxes of damage so far.Additionally, finding enough labor topick a fresh crop much larger than lastyear’s will be a challenge. The pickershortage in 2011 combined with a lateharvest left apples hanging in orchardslast year.The scarcity of labor is expected tocontinue, and early signals suggestworker availability could be tighter thisyear.An expected smaller national applecrop will provide opportunities for theNorthwest this year.OutlookThe 2011/12 apple crop shouldhave a strong finish, and growers cangenerally expect profitable returns.Current strength in the marketplaceis positive and should help maintaintraction around prices into the fall.Other than the hail damage, thePhoto by Richard BurgerApples in this Grandview-area orchard are already showing color. This year’s crop isexpected to be about 125 million boxes.2012/13 crop is reportedly clean. Fruitshould size nicely with a high survivalrate of king blooms this year. Thisyear’s crop should pick sooner thanlast year. A more normal start of mid-August versus September is expected.The first official industry estimate forthe Northwest fresh apple crop will bereleased August 1. Ultimately, weatherwill dictate crop size and timing.Northwest apple prices could maintaina profitable price floor throughout thecoming marketing year. Growers mayalso be able to use the processor marketas a labor management tool this year.Fruit destined for the processor market(other than slicers) can hang on the treelonger than fresh market apples.There will be substantial incentivefor growers to attract the necessarylabor to get orchards fully harvestedthis year. Margins could be pinched aslabor costs are bid up.Growers that have implementedstrategies such as building on farmhousing, buying busses to ferry laborfrom the towns to the orchards, andleveraging labor friendly orcharddesigns will be best positioned to drawworkers.TracTors& implemenTsTRACTORS& IMPLEMENTSNewOwnersSAME Same GREAT Great PEOPLE, PeoPle, SAME Same Great GREATService now with more ProductSTHAN then EVER ever TO to MEET meet your YOUR needS. NEEDSSERVICE NOW WITH MORE PRODUCTSThank You!for choosing SunnysideNew Holland, LLC!You deServetHe beStHay equipmenTWe are the only full line Kirby Feeding Equipment Dealer in Eastern WashingtonThe Farmer’s Friend526 W. YakimaValleY HigHWaYSUNNYSIDE NEW HOLLAND, LLC SunnYSide • 837-2714

Grower optimism has faded headinginto summer, according to a secondquarterpotato market report fromNorthwest Farm Credit Services. Potatoprices have weakened considerably,reflecting market expectations for aPage 14 • Valley Farm Life 2012Large potato crop could mean lower priceslarge crop.Despite limited acreage expansion,excellent growing conditions couldresult in increased yields and production,prompting concerns among producersthat prices could drop further, the report“Let Our Family Help Your Family”Manley CropInsurance Agency786-7730 • FAX: 786-4554Toll Free: 1-888-786-7730424 Wine Country Road, Suite 2 • Prossermanleycrop@earthlink.net37 37 lb Dog lb Dog 50 Food 37 Food lb. Dog Champion .................................... Food .................................... Hog $11.99 $14.99 $11.9950 50 lb Equis lb Equis 50 lb. Complete Equis Horse Complete Horse Feed Feed ..... Horse ..... Feed $11.49 Feed ..... $14.99 $11.4950 50 lb lb Kountry 50 lb. Buffet Kountry Buffet 14% 14% Buffet Protein 14% ..........$9.99Protein ..........$9.99 . $10.9950 50 lb Alfalfa lb Alfalfa 50 50 lb. Pellets Alfalfa .................................$8.99Pellets .................................$8.99$11.9950 50 lb lb Rabbit50 50 Feedlb. FeedRolled Rabbit ................................ Feed Barley ................................ $11.99$10.99 $11.9950 50 lb All lb All 50 50 Purposelb. All Egg Purpose Poultry Feed FeedLayer Ration Poultry ...........$12.99................. Feed ...........$12.99 $13.99Pine Pine ShavingsPinePine ShavingsShavings ........................................$5.99........................................$5.99................................ $ 6.9950 50 lb lb Cracked 50 lb Corn Cracked Corn ............................. Corn ............................. $11.99 $11.9950 lb. Cracked Corn ...................... $12.9950 50 lb lb Whole 50 Oats lb Oats Whole ...................................$9.99Oats ...................................$9.9950 lb. Whole Oats ........................... $10.9950 50 lb Lamb lb Lamb 50 lb Grower Lamb ................................$9.99Grower ................................$9.9950 lb. Goat Developer .................... $12.9950 50 lb Pig lb Pig 50 Finisher lb Pig Finisher .................................$12.99.................................$12.99MAKE THE 15 MINUTE DRIVE & SEEWHY WE ARE THE FASTEST GROWINGFEED STORE IN THE AREA!said.Despite favorable contracts for manyproducers’ 2011/12 potatoes, 2012Idaho potato acreage increased just20,000 acres.Northwest situationIn Washington, potato acreage issimilar to 2011 levels. Most producersthat increased acreage did so withadditional acres offered by processors.Land scarcity and high rents, coupledwith strong commodity prices forcompeting crops, contributed to limitedpotato acreage expansion.However, growers anticipate aboveaverageyields in Washington and Idaho,sustaining fears that potato suppliescould be higher than expected, resultingin lower prices. Weather and growingconditions during the next 90 days willdetermine final yields.The potential for a larger-thanexpectedcrop has altered growerpsychology, and led to a divergencebetween 2012/13 price expectations and2011/12 pricing trends. In stark contrastto open contract prices ranging from $10WE E SELL WE SELL OUR OUR GRAIN GRAIN && FARM & FARM PRODUCTS PRODUCTSCHEAPER CHEAPER THAN THAN ANYONE ANYONE ELSE... ELSE...PERIOD!37 lb. Dog Food .............. $12.9914 lb. Cat Food ............. $ 9.9920 qt. Water Bucket ....... $ 6.99Wasp & Hornet Killer .... 2/ $ 6.00Ki-Be Ki-Be Market MarketKi-Be MarketGROCERY GROCERY&& FEED& FEED1215 1215 HORNE 1215 HORNE DR DR DRBENTON BENTON CITY, WACITY, WA WA509-588-4369Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/KiBeMarketMAKE THE MAKE THE 15 15 THE MINUTE 15 MINUTE DRIVE & DRIVE & SEE SEE & WHY SEE WE WE WHY ARE WE ARETHE THE FASTEST THE FASTEST GROWING GROWING FEED FEED STORE STORE IN IN THE THE IN AREA! THE AREA!and $12 per cwt for 2011/12 potatoesearlier this year, some producers havecontracted 2012/13 potatoes to limitrisk.Anecdotally, producers in AmericanFalls have contracted the 2012/13crop at a base of $7.75 per cwt, witha potential quality incentive of $0.80per cwt. According to the USDA, thepreliminary June 2012 all1 potato pricefor Idaho was $7.95 per cwt, down 16.8percent from $9.55 per cwt in June 2011.During this same period, Washingtonand Oregon prices dropped 8.7 percentand 18.1 percent respectively.Although there is anxiety about thesize of the 2012/13 crop, old crop potatosupplies are tight. Some processors haveslowed production in order to minimizea potential gap between processing oldcrop and new crop potatoes. Processorsmay dig potatoes early to access moresupplies. Other processors may wait todig to increase the size of potatoes.2012 Farm BillThe Agriculture Reform, Food andJobs Act of 2012, otherwise known as theFarm Bill, passed in the U.S. Senate onJune 21, 2012. The new bill replaces directpayments, counter-cyclical payments,and the Average Crop Revenue Election(ACRE) program with the newAgriculture Risk Coverage (ARC)program. Under ARC, producers maychoose between coverage at the individualfarm level or at the county level forprotection against price and yield losses.Another key component of the bill isthat farmers with adjusted gross incomesabove $750,000 would not be eligiblefor payments from Title I Farm Billprograms, which are currently capped at$50,000 per entity.The bill has been sent to the U.S. Houseof Representatives where it will likely facepressure for additional cuts, particularlyto the Supplemental Nutrition AssistanceProgram (SNAP) which accounts for 80percent of the Farm Bill’s budget.Although the current farm bill expireson September 30, 2012, there is noguarantee that a new bill will be passedprior to November elections.OutlookWeather conditions will be criticalfor the U.S. potato crop. Optimalgrowing conditions could improve yieldsand increase production, resulting indampened prices.Producers may contract 2012/13potatoes at lower prices to avoid excessivemarket risk, put producers will still beprofitable in 2012.The export market will continue toprovide strength to the U.S. potato marketin 2012.Fun Farm FactsWhat is the most popular pizzatopping in America?Pepperoni - Americans eat about100 acres of pizza every day. InJapan, the most popular pizzatopping is squid.

Is your swallow nest box being usedby House sparrows?Your purple martin house taken overby European starlings?You may have design flaws in thehousing you’ve provided that allowsthese aggressive, non-native birds tothrive and our native birds to decline.Some ready-made bird houses maylook cute but are not necessarily designedto keep the bullies of the bird world out.Perches, for example, aren’t neededby birds but attract house sparrows andstarlings.Design and construction of bird housesneed to be species specific. The mostimportant part is the entrance hole. If thehole is too small, the desired bird won’tbe able to enter. If it’s too big (and thisis more likely) undesirable wildlife - likenon-native sparrows and starlings, anduninvited squirrels, can get in and harm,evict, or kill the desired bird.As a rule, house sparrows can’t enter anest box if the entrance hole is less than1-1/8 inches in diameter. Starlings can’tenter if the hole is less than 1-1/2 inchesin diameter.Information in the WashingtonDepartment of Fish and Wildlife(WDFW) “Woodworking Projects forBackyard Wildlife,” available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/projects/, specifiesentrance hole sizes to exclude these birdswherever possible. Even if you don’twant to make your own nest boxes, it’s agood resource for making better decisionswhen you purchase bird houses.Bird houses often have to bemaintained on a yearly basis to stickto these specs. You’ll need to patch orrestore the entrance holes after squirrelsor woodpeckers have tried to enlargethem. There are many ways to do this,from attaching wooden extensions or“donuts” over the holes to fortifyingthem with metal washers.If you still have problems withaggressive non-native species even whenyou follow the standards, there are alsodesign alternatives.A diamond-shaped entrance hole thatis no more than 7/8-inch deep and up to3-1/2 inches wide, will exclude housesparrows and starlings. To accommodatethe slightly bigger violet-green swallow,file down the area inside of the entryhole by just a quarter inch. You can seethese specs at http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/projects/basic_songbird.html .Anacortes bird enthusiast Gene Derigcame up with that diamond design butrecently told us about an even simplerway to accommodate and protect notonly violet-green swallows, but alsochickadees, nuthatches, and other nativespecies.“Try using a ¾-inch high slotconfiguration,” Gene said. “The slotis made by drilling three consecutivehorizontal holes with a ¾-inch drill bit,and then just shaving out what’s left. It’sespecially good for urban areas wherethere are more house sparrows.”The purple martin is a species thatcould really use help with suitablenest sites within its range in westernWashington, since its numbers seem toPage 15 • Valley Farm Life 2012Help native nesting birds by designbe declining. In fact, it’s a candidate forstate protective listing, in part because ofcompetition from sparrows and starlings.WDFW biologist Chris Anderson notesthat purple martins are colony nesters,but those attractive “multiple apartmentcomplex” bird houses designed forthem can be a problem in urban areaswhere starlings and house sparrows arenumerous.“A cluster of gourds drilled withholes seems to be much less preferredby starlings and house sparrows and themartins love them,” Anderson said.Another way to help is to be morestrategic with placement of bird nestboxes.Martins, like all swallows, feed oninsects, mostly on the wing, often overwater where insects concentrate. Hanginga gourd collection over water makes itthat much more enticing to martins andless inviting to sparrows and starlings.Sparrows and starlings usually won’tnest within ten feet of the ground. Placingnest boxes four to five feet off the groundand in brushy areas will discourage thesebirds, and will readily be used by manynative species, from bluebirds to wrens.Nest boxes at this height, however, arevulnerable to predators such as cats.If you want to get rid of house sparrowsor European starlings nesting in a birdhouse, it is legal to remove their nestsand destroy the eggs. Unlike most birds,these non-native, introduced species arenot protected by state or federal law.Nests may have to be removed five to sixtimes before sparrows or starlings finallyabandon the house.Sometimes the best thing to do if yourarea is plagued by starlings or housesparrows, and you can’t actively managethem, is to simply not use bird nest boxesPO BOX 918SUNNYSIDE, WA 98944T (509) 837-6822www.mtstates.comMO-UN-TS-C352DCCherries readyfor the pickingPhoto by Deb BrumleyUmmmm cherries are ready to pick. Just about anywhere you go in the Valleyright now there are cherries ready to pick and better yet…. ready to eat.at all.There are many other resources to helpyou address bird house issues in additionto WDFW’s “Living With Wildlife”webpages. Some of the best information isavailable on the Sialis website, developedfor people interested in helping bluebirds(which are in the genus Sialia) and othernative cavity-nesting birds. For starlingproblems, see http://www.sialis.org/starlingbio.htm and for House sparrowproblems see http://www.sialis.org/hosp.htm . Another good site is http://www.treeswallowprojects.com/index.html .Turn - Key Constructionfor Washington’s Ag IndustryPermit Assistance & Procurement,Wastewater Design & Management,Pre-Engineered Steel Buildings,Concrete Work

Page 16 • Valley Farm Life 2012USDA seeks county committee candidatesAgricultural producers in YakimaCounty who would like to guide federalfarm programs at the local level have achance to do so.The USDA Farm Service Agency isseeking candidates for this year’s CountyCommittee election. Nominations aredue to the FSA county office by Aug. 1.“These federal farm programsrepresent millions of dollars to our ruraleconomy. The local committee is thebest way to ensure the programs fit ourarea’s agricultural conditions as muchas possible,” said Lisa Ruff, FSA ActingCounty Executive Director for YakimaCounty.Ruff said FSA encourages all interestedagricultural producers, includingwomen and growers of different ethnicbackgrounds, to seek nomination.The FSA County Office Committeeis the most direct link between USDAfarm programs and local growers. TheCounty Committee system helps makenationwide programs workable at thelocal level.Committee members make decisionsrelated to commodity price supportloans and payments, and establishallotments, yields and marketing quotasfor some crops. FSA committees alsomake eligibility determinations forconservation programs and disasterassistance.“The people elected to the committeewill become part of a national network offarmers and ranchers that have a uniqueopportunity to help the future of all localgrowers,” Ruff said. “This is governmentat its best—locally rooted, and bringingthe resources and expertise of the USDAtogether with our customers.”The FSA County Committee electionsare being held in Local AdministrativeArea #1 this year. This area consists offarms located in the upper Yakima Valley(north of the Rattlesnake Ridge), minusthe land situated south of Ahtanum Creek.Producers in this area will be electinga County Committee person to serve athree-year term. Farm owners, operators,tenants and sharecroppers of legal votingage, in LAA #1 can run for a committeeposition and vote if they are eligible totake part in any FSA program.Spouses are generally eligible toparticipate in committee elections. Anyproducers who may not have received anelection ballot in the past should contactthe Yakima FSA office to ensure that theyare on the list of eligible voters.Elected County Committee membersreceive an hourly wage for theirattendance and representation at countycommittee meetings.Persons interested in holdingoffice as a county committee memberare encouraged to check eligibilityrequirements with the local FSA office.Additional information andnomination forms may be requested fromthe Farm Service Agency located in theU.S. Department of Agriculture ServiceCenter at (509) 454-5746, Extension #2.Reach for the skyFREE Delivery!In TheLower Valley!ROOFiNGMATERiALLargeSelection!GreatPrices!Photo by Richard BurgerHop vines spiral upward and over the trellis at the top of a hop field near Grandview.Hop flowers are already forming on the vines. The harvest typically begins aroundthe fourth week in August, and lasts about four weeks.OFFICE SUPPLIESIf We Don’t Have It, We’ll Order It!Prosser Record-Bulletin • 786-1711Grandview herald • 882-3712Call (509) 865-4912FOR ALL YOUR LUMBER& HARDWARE NEEDS!Plywood/OSBDimensional LumberBCI Flooring SystemsGlu Lam BeamsCheck us first for best pricing!IDEALLumber & HardwareSupply Inc.827 W. First Ave.Toppenish(509) 865-4912IA CERTIFIED DESIGNERSPRINKLER AND DRIP DESIGNS, PARTS AND SUPPLIES169801 W County Rd 12 · Prosser, WA 99350Phone: 509-882-3340 · Fax: 509-882-4243

Page 17 • Valley Farm Life 2012Irrigation schedulingmade easy with new appBy R. Troy Peters, P.E., Ph.D.When do I turn the water on? Howlong do I leave it on?Although these are straight forwardquestions, finding good answers tothese questions can be quite complex.Most mint growers realize, however,that getting it right has big payoffs.Good irrigation water management willincrease yields, improve crop quality,decrease fertilizer requirements, savepumping energy costs, conserve water,and reduce non-point source pollution.In short the grower is going to bemore profitable, and environmentalgroups are going to be happy.Troy Peters, the WSU extensionirrigation specialists partneredwith AgWeatherNet director GerritHoogenboom, and AgWeatherNetweb developer Sean Hill to developIrrigation Scheduler Mobile (availableat http://weather.wsu.edu/is).Irrigation Scheduler Mobile is afree online irrigation scheduling toolfor doing simplified check-book styleirrigation scheduling. It is optimizedfor use on a smart phone and workson any platform including iPhone,Android, or MS Windows Phone, orBlackberry.Because it operates as a web page,it also works perfectly well on anydesktop web browser.It is fully integrated withWashington’s AgWeatherNet so thatdaily crop water use (ET) estimatesand rainfall data are automaticallyfilled in. To maintain privacy andto keep track of each user’s dataindependently each user logs in usingtheir free AgWeatherNet username andpassword.Although currently not available,funding is currently being sought toexpand it for use with stations outsideof AgWeatherNet.Every grower can set up an unlimitednumber of fields. Setting up a fieldinvolves simply selecting the cropgrown, the soil texture, and the nearestAgWeatherNet weather station for thecrop water use and rainfall data.From these selections the model isautomatically populated with defaultvalues for the crop and the soil waterholdingcharacteristics. These valuescan be fine tuned later by educatedusers to improve the model’s accuracy.After setup, all the grower needs todo is add the irrigation amounts on thedates that field is irrigated. The modelkeeps track of the soil water contentover time, and displays the soil waterdeficit (how much more water thesoil can hold before it is lost to deeppercolation), and the current percent ofthe total soil available water.The model can be corrected orupdated on any date with soil moisturemeasurements or estimates.The model uses a daily time stepand takes into account the effects ofa growing root zone as well as thedecrease in plant water use due to waterstress.Although the most important screensfor the user will probably be the DailyBudget Table and the Soil Water, themodel also outputs graphs of: the dailycrop water use, the cumulative wateruse, the crop coefficients and root zonedepth over time, the estimated amountof water lost to deep percolation,and the degree of water stress andestimated yield loss to the crop due towater stress.Online help for each screen isavailable within the irrigation schedulermobile application.A full help manual is also availableonline at http://weather.wsu.edu/is/ISMManual.pdf.For additional help, or if youwould like to submit any questions orcomments, please contact Troy Petersat troy_peters@wsu.edu, or at 509-786-9247.Permaculture is aliveand well in SunnysideThings are really growing at HeavenlyHills Harvest Permaculture Farm andEducation Center.Besides its normal summer offeringsof community-supported agriculture andadult and family workshops concerningfarming, Heavenly Hills Harvest Farmin Sunnyside has new activities goingon this summer that include a Children’sSummer Farm and Nature Day camp and,in its efforts to use the best practices fororganic farming, the creation of a multistory,25-foot wide, “pollinator border,”which may be a first in the area, and workto restore a section of the 100-acre farm,located on the Yakima River, to naturalhabitat.The Farm and Nature Camp forchildren six to 12 years of age will beunder the supervision of Merritt Mitchell-Wajeeh, farm owner.Merritt has a masters degree inenvironmental science education, andexperience with teaching childrenand adults. Two, one-week programsbegin Monday July 23, and July 30,respectively.Children will learn how to be farmers,spending time during the week plantingand harvesting and learning how toprepare food.They also will enjoy daily farm-stylelunches, learn about other sustainableagriculture practices, such as compostingand natural soil and pest management,and engage in nature explorations thatinclude map making, bird watching,tracking, and gathering materials for art,keeping a nature journal, rock and mineralidentification and other experiencesFlooring ... Carpet - Vinyl - HardwoodCork - Bamboo - Laminate - LinoleumPaint ... Miller - Devine - PittsburghDiscover TheHome of YourDreams atBJ Paint & CarpetWindow Treatments ... Hunter DouglasGraber-Custom DraperiesM-F 8-5:30 • Sat. 9-31206 Stacy AvenueProsser • 786-4652with geology, swimming, ball games,afternoon homemade ice cream parties,and on Friday, an extended day thatwill include parents and siblings for anevening cookout and fireside activities.This is the fourth year for MerrittMitchell-Wajeeh to supply organicvegetables and fruit, using the CSAconcept.Community supported agriculture is agrowing trend nationally and means thatpeople have the opportunity to get locallygrown food, fresh picked, usually within aday of delivery, and also to visit the farm.Each subscriber for the six-monthsummer harvest gets what is in season,beginning with salad and other greens,quickly followed by many varieties oftomatoes, onions, peppers, herbs, summerand winter squash, melons, potatoes,peas, beans, carrots, broccoli, egg plant,and more.The baskets are delivered to centralpick-up locations in Yakima and Prosser.On farm pickup is also available.Merritt also presents workshops foradults and families on how to raisetheir own food, the permaculture way,sustainably, with raised beds, rich soil andno toxins.Raised bed gardening at home canprovide enough food to supply a family,and even others.You can contact Merritt for informationabout the camp, workshops, and the 2012CSA program.Space is limited. Informationcan be found on the website, www.heavenlyhillsharvest.com, or by callingMerritt at (509) 840-5600.MOHAWK DupontSorona Carpetwith LifetimeStain WarrantyStarting at $3.29 sq. ft.Installation with 8# pad

Page 18 • Valley Farm Life 2012Irrigation specialist offers advice on soil moisture sensorsEfficient management of irrigation waterfor mint provides a host of benefits, suchas increased yields, improved quality,conservation of water and energy, anddecreased fertilizer requirements.One of the best and simplest ways to getthe information to make improved watermanagement decisions is through the use ofsoil moisture measurement technology.However, the installation, calibration,and interpretation of the data can beoverwhelming for most busy growers.Toppenish • 509-865-2820Toppenish 865-2820John Top • Jeff WiersmaJohn Top • Mobile 840-0342 Jeff Wiersma • Mobile 952-729924-HourServiceGOULD & GRUNDFOS WATER SYSTEMS509.973.3232 • cell 830.1520107502 W. OIE Hwy. • ProsserSe Habla Español • Cont. #SALSPS*944QCYard Sale AdsFor Just $8.6020 Words or LessIt Will Appear...In The Grandview HeraldCall 882-3712and The Prosser Record-BulletinCall 786-1711Troy Peters, Ph.D., irrigation specialistat WSU Prosser, in an edition of theWashington Mint Growers AssociationMint Drops newsletter, offered somepractical recommendations for using soilmoisture measurement equipment.There are two major types of soilmoisture sensors, those that measure soilwater content and those that measure soilwater tension.Soil water contentSensor types are neutron probe, timedomain transmissivity, and capacitance.The neutron probe is accurate, repeatable,and samples a relatively large area, usingone sensor for all sites and depths.It is also expensive, about $4,500, cannotbe left in the field, and involves governmentpaperwork and regulations.Proudto supportthe fair!Time domain transmissivity is muchless expensive, about $110 per sensor, butsamples a small area.Capacitance sensors are easy to setup, but highly affected by soil conditionsimmediately next to the sensor, and cancost from $300 to $1,200 per system.Peters said soil water contentmeasurements are much more meaningfulfor irrigation scheduling when they arecompared to the maximum amount of waterthat the soil can hold long term, known asfield capacity.The simplest way to determine fieldcapacity is to use the sensor to take ameasurement at a time when the soil is fullof water, and free water has had time todrain through.Family Owned & Operated Over 30 YearsDAVIS PUMPS& ELECTRIC MOTORS, INC.SALES • SERVICE • INSTALLATIONSNew Well Systems • Repair Existing SystemsRebuild Irrigation PumpsSERVICE ALL BRANDS DOMESTIC & IRRIGATION PUMPS837-5303G WBRAND PRODUCTSGood times to take measurements are assoon as soil thaws in the spring, assumingadequate moisture recharge over the winter,or 12 to 24 hours after a heavy irrigation.The soil content measurement must bemultiplied by the depth of soil in the rootzone.Peters said it also helps greatly to have anestimate of the soil water content at whichplants begin to experience water stress.Soil water tensionSensor types are tensiometers andgranular matrix.Tensiometers cost about $80 per sensor,but can experience maintenance issues.Granular matrix sensors costonly $40per sensor, but produce highly variableoutput, are less accurate, and are sensitiveto temperature and soil salinity.When using tension-based sensors,the soil’s field capacity, wilting point,and maximum depletion point are mostlyirrelevant, Peters said.A soil that is full of water will have nearzero measured soil water tension.Fruit trees and vines should be irrigatedbefore they reach 40 to 50 centibars. Forregulated deficit irrigation, this could beincreased to 80 centibars.Since these measurements can beinaccurate and soil specific, growers shouldrefine the limits using crop observationsover time.For example, note the measured soilwater tension at the earliest indications ofwater stress, and be sure to irrigate beforethat point is reached in the future.NEW LOCATION!2500 SUNNYSIDE/MABTON HWY.GOLDEN WEST SEED CO.(509) 829-9500 • ZILLAHProudly Serving Valley Farmers Since 1990TECHNOLOGY THAT YIELDSwww.pioneer.comAll purchases are subject to the terms of labeling and purchase documents.®, SM TM Trademarks and service marks, registered or applied for,of Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.A. ©1998 PHII.

Page 19 • Valley Farm Life 2012Dealers report on 2012 mint cropWashingtonScotch – Scotch acres are up about5 percent this year from last year toabout 4,500 acres. The crop looksgood although a little slow due to thecool weather. Recent activities havebeen reported to be from $18 up to$19.Native – Native acres saw an11-percent increase this year to around8,100 acres. The crop looks to havewintered well and is in good shape.Oil on the spot market has gonefor $18-$19. There has been somecontracting taking place for the 2012crop.Peppermint (including NE Oregon,Yakima Valley and Columbia Basin)– Acres are down slightly this year toaround 21,000 acres.A large percentage of the crop iscontracted, with a good portion of thatcontracted being on an index contract.There has been some contract activityat around $22.Idaho - Eastern OregonSpearmintScotch – Acres are up significantlyfrom last year to around 1,500 acres.The crop looks to have wintered well,and seems to be in good shape.There has been some spot activityrecently at the $18 level.Native - Overall Native acres are upslightly to about 730 acres. The cropwintered well.There has been some activity inthe $18-$19 range, but with a limitedamount of oil available, the markethas been relatively quiet.Idaho Peppermint – Acres are goingto remain about the same this year aslast. The crop looksOK, older stands are a little slowstartingdue to the cool, wet spring.There has been some spot activity at$22. A good portion of the 2012 cropis contracted.ONE-STOP REPAIRALL MAKES • ALL MODELS12-Month, 12,000-Mile GuaranteeNo work is ever done without your approvalComplete VehicleMaintenanceTiming Belts • Tune-UpsWe work with all extended warranties and service contracts24 Years ExperienceCompleteDiagnostic Services• Oil Changes • Air Conditioning Service• Electrical Service • Brakes, Suspension & Steering• Check Engine Light DiagnosisMonday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.Corner of Meade & 5th DowntownACROSS FROM USBANK and THE POST OFFICE1102 Meade Avenue • Prosser 786-7788 armstrongautomotive.netThe Farming Industry runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a weekRDO Equipment Co. is proud to partner with its Farmers by offering the following to maintain equipment uptime.