Blistering heat and arid weather pushed the wheat crop to maturity two weeks earlier than usual in Washington State and undermined its value, says the Spokane Spokesman-Review. “Farmers have seen low yields and a crop high in protein, a byproduct of the extreme weather that makes the wheat less desirable to foreign markets, experts say.” Glen Squires of the Washington Grain Commission said some growers are comparing this year to the damaging 1977 drought, when the state produced 80 million bushels of wheat. The USDA forecasts a crop of 123 million bushels this year, the bulk of it soft white wheat.
Soft white wheat is used in pastries, cakes and noodles as well as flat bread, cereals and crackers. The variety has lower protein content than other types of wheat and weak gluten.