Bi-annual wheat strip trials at JR Miller Farms July 6

Area farmers are invited to attend the bi-annual JR Miller Farms winter wheat strip trials and dinner on July 6 at 4:30 p.m. at the farm of Mike and Marci Miller.

This year the number two Flour Mill from Japan NIPPON Co. will be represented to gather information on the PNW Quality parameters and supply of club wheat along with these new varieties.

“Having the number two user of our wheat fly all the way across the ocean to meet farmers and be able to converse in such a casual setting is huge for our growers,” Washington Grain Commission CEO Glen Squires said. “The relationship between our two countries wheat chain is second to none. We can’t ever take for granted any of our customers, whether it was the head of the Philippines Flour Miller Association who was here last week at Mike and Marci’s place, or the number two milling company from Japan.”

This year in quarter mile strips there will be all competitive varieties grown in the area, all soft white and good quality. Most of them will be directly competing for acres against each other.

Marci Miller and Paul Porter of Washington Genetics set out this year to compare everything to WSU variety Otto, a winter soft white that has an overwhelmingly large portion of acreage in the local area.

There are 11 varieties planted on the farm this year, as well as blends of the planted varieties.

The event is open to the public and dinner will be provided. This is an opportunity for area farmers to see the success of the new released varieties and the availability of the seed in the future.