High Input Costs and Low Crop Prices Pose Challenges for Flathead Producers

On the 3,200 acres of land in the Creston area where Doug Manning grows cereal and pulse crops, he’s noticed good yields so far this harvest season. But his winter wheat isn’t popping with its usual amber color, and the markers indicating high protein are down.

“We’ve had decent yields overall, but it suffered on the quality side,” Manning said. “The rains came and usually we like the rain, but it was a little late.”

This July, Kalispell saw more than 1.63 inches of rain – nearly a half inch above normal. The mid-summer moisture boosted spring-seeded yields, but it resulted in lower quality crops for Flathead Valley producers and will lead to price docking at the grain elevator.

But the weather is only one variable that factors into the harvest season as global markets, commodity prices