Another heat wave in the Pacific Northwest of the USA

An unprecedented heat wave and prolonged drought in the Pacific Northwest is damaging the white wheat coveted by Asian buyers, forcing fruit growers to harvest in the middle of the night to save the crop.
Extreme weather is another blow to farmers struggling with labor shortages and higher transportation costs during the pandemic and could further fuel global food inflation.
Cordell Kress, who farms in southeast Idaho, expects his winter wheat to produce about half as much per acre as it would in a normal year. The harvest starts next week and he has already lost part of his withered rape because thistles destroy the oilseed harvest.
The Pacific Northwest is the only part of the United States that grows "white wheat," which is used to make sponge cakes and noodles, and farmers hoped to take advantage of the current high grain prices. Other countries, including Australia and Canada, grow white wheat, but the US variety is particularly valued by Asian buyers.
"The general mood among the farmers in my area is worse than ever," said Kress. "A drought like this year just weighs you down."
US white wheat exports reached a 40-year high of 265 million bushels in the marketing year ended May 31, fueled by unprecedented demand from China. But farmers may not have that much to sell this year.
"Washington's wheat crop is in pretty bad shape right now," said Clark Neely, an agronomist with Washington State University. The U.S. Department of Agriculture this week rated 68% of the state's summer wheat and 36% of winter wheat in poor or very poor condition. A year ago, only 2% of winter wheat and 6% of summer wheat in the state were rated bad to very bad.
In addition to the expected loss of yield, grain buyers also worry about quality. Flour millers buy soft wheat from the Pacific Northwest because of its low protein content, which is good for pastries and crackers.
But the drought is shrinking wheat grains and increasing protein content, making part of the crop less valuable."The protein content is so high that it can only be used for fodder," said Kress.
Low-protein "soft" wheat varieties have a lower gluten content than the "hard" wheat varieties used for bread, which creates a less stretchy batter for tender cakes and crackers.
The Washington State Department of Agriculture said it was too early to estimate crop damage losses.
The National Weather Service issued heat warnings for east Washington over the weekend.
Farmers have already suffered major damage from the cherry and apple harvest.