Washington Wheat Farmers Protest Low-Protein Dockage

Washington wheat farmers are protesting an up to 50-cent per bushel dockage on soft white wheat testing below 9% protein. The current contracts are written at 10% protein, according to a memo from the Yakima-Klickitat County Association of Wheat Growers.

Farmers aren't satisfied with the explanations for the dockage they've received so far. Andy Juris, association president and Bickleton wheat farmer, said 'We're all used to being docked for high-protein white wheat, and we have now all of a sudden a crop that is apparently too low.'

The memo asks for full disclosure of blend ratios and realized protein per barge if any adjustment is reconsidered. It also requests written acknowledgement that below-threshold protein reflects rainfall and yield, not grower conduct.