A Longitudinal Survey Measuring Impacts of Climate Change for Wheat Growers Across the Inland Pacific Northwest.

A longitudinal survey of wheat growers distributed across the diverse wheat-growing regions of the inland PNW tracks weather-related changes for approximately 40 growers over a five-year period. This study will yield a regional baseline from which to measure future changes in farming practices, yields, pests, and disease. The results of this research will help guide policies and strategies for improving productivity and efficiency while protecting the environment in this important wheat-producing region. This survey is part of the REACCH project (Regional Approaches to Climate Change), which examines climate variability and its potential impact on wheat production in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

Face-to-face surveys for the first year included a set of project-related questions solicited from REACCH  scientists. In addition, economic data were collected for determining per unit costs of production plus operating and ownership costs for farm machinery. Growers report that weather in the past two years has been atypical, resulting in lower yields in the higher precipitation zones, and higher yields in the typically lower precipitation areas. Weather-related changes in pests and diseases have also been observed.

Participants in the longitudinal survey were selected for being innovative growers, good collaborators, and for their likelihood to be farming for many more years. They represent six different agroclimatic regions across grain-producing areas of eastern Washington, northeastern Oregon, and northern Idaho. Some of the producers pioneered the use of no-till practices in this region characterized by severe wind and water erosion. Over time, their land has changed, allowing them to use non-traditional crops and rotations for their region. Some of these systems may serve as potential future scenarios for this area,  particularly if their system shows more resilience than contemporary farming systems.