Country Life Wednesday, December 11, 2019 • lyndentribune.com • ferndalerecord.com
Dairy • A9 Gardening • A10 FFA/4-H • A10
Raspberry growers weigh a trade action D.C. law firm will get at least $600,000 to look into claims of Mexican ‘dumping’ in U.S. market By Calvin Bratt editor@lyndentribune.com
LYNDEN — A hefty $600,000 will be spent by Washington raspberry growers to lay the basis for possible trade-violation claims against Mexico, and the cost could be three times that over three years to follow through with action. Next year’s outlay is in an overall proposed budget of just over $1.3 million for the Lynden-based Washington Red Raspberry Commission, and about $420,000 will be used to continue to promote frozen processed raspberries in the American market. The annual meetings of both the state raspberry and blueberry commissions were held on the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds last week as part of the 2019 Small Fruit Conference and Lynden Ag Show. It’s all a chance to catch up on the latest in the small fruit realm, from dollars and research to equipment and pesticide credits. “The board has started that process against Mexico dumping in our markets,” WRRC strategic planning member Brad Rader told attendees at the conference opening session on Wednesday, Dec. 2. Protection of the industry was also needed back in the 1980s and ‘90s, Rader said, and it’s time again to tap into the expertise of a Washington, D.C., law firm versed in the intricacies of international trade. Attorney Steve Orava, of the firm King & Spalding, on screen live from D.C., said the Trump administration wants to help American manufacturing and agriculture, and so now is a good time to take advantage of the opportunity “to find the appropriate path forward for your industry.” Orava said he is open to hearing about and analyzing all dynamics seen in the processed frozen raspberry market right
Darryl Ehlers, Halverstick Road berry grower for more than 60 years, speaks after receiving the Washington Red Raspberry Commission’s Industry Service Award at the Small Fruit Conference Dec. 2. (Calvin Bratt/Lynden Tribune) now — competition, packaging, impacts the United States. In international trade, on prices and directly on the Northwest dumping means that a country or compagrowers. It was suggested that across-the- ny exports a product at a price that is lower border British Columbia growers be kept in the foreign importing market than the price in the exporter’s domestic market. in the loop too. Everyone is encouraged to communi- Year 2019 also brought about the decate their situation, and what they observe, mise of the 6-year-old National Processed to commission board leaders or to King & Raspberry Council — by a vote of member growers and importers — and so that Spalding. A 15-mile radius around Lynden leaves the Washington State producers would take in probably 90 percent of the themselves to essentially do their own red raspberry growing operations (for marketing and pick their own battles to frozen pack, not fresh market) of the two fight, but they can do it now with distinct Washington Red Raspberries branding. countries. The climate is suitable. But for about four years Whatcom Treasurer Joan Yoder presented the County growers have eyed what they be- WRRC budget for 2020, up from $841,445 lieve is illegal “dumping” of product into this year. She noted that the assessment on
the 2019 crop is 2 cents per pound of berries, which equals the total of the national and state amounts before — “it’s not going up any.” Henry Bierlink, WRRC executive director, acknowledged that the step out with King & Spalding is “a huge commitment,” and the nine-member board of directors will decide in early 2020 whether to take it a step farther beyond the data-gathering phase now. He urged all members to stay attentive to what is happening and give their input, including on the budget, which will be acted on in January. “Talk to us. We want to hear your concerns.” • Wild Hive is the Texas-based company headed by Allison Beadle that has transitioned from working with the national council to now working in marketing with the state commission. Beadle and two associates recapped what they see as opportunities and challenges ahead. “We’re now exclusively focused on what you all are bringing to the market,” Beadle said. She has ideas for advocacy to food buyers and food service trade media, for health and nutrition research, and for more pursuit of school sales. Beadle told the growers sitting in front of her, “You have a phenomenal story to tell” — involving diverse and multi-generational families growing berries efficiently in the Lynden area as a community tradition. “We are happy to be promoting this.” One increased effort will be harvest tours with selected groups, “showing them first-hand up here what you’re doing,” she said, with a ride on a mechanical harvester often being a really big deal for these visitors. • Lifetime Halverstick Road grower Darryl Ehlers was honored with the third annual WRRC Industry Service Award, after Lyle Rader and Curt Maberry received it, posthumously, the past two years. A video was shown of Darryl walking about his premises, telling a little history and giving his homespun farmer philosophy. He has been at it for more than 60 years. He spoke of borrowing a tractor to plant his first crop of berries, of having See Raspberries on A9
Wednesday, December 11, 2019 • lyndentribune.com • A9
MIELKE MARKET
Raspberries
Milk price tops $20, up $6 in a year
Continued from A8
Louise as a farm employee before she became his wife, and of hand-setting raspberry posts that lasted 44 years. “Everything in farming, you do out of necessity,” Ehlers said. “There is no such thing as ‘can’t be done.’” Even though he has sold the main producing acreage of his farm, he still has a plot where he can do some planting, and he does. “I’m going to farm till I’m 100 years old and then I’m going to sit
back and tell you anything you’re doing wrong,” he said. A known character, Ehlers has also produced four books of his own poetry and he sang a song in Spanish at the WRRC meeting. • Pat Moore, who has been the primary Washington State University berry plant breeder benefiting the industry, is retiring in 2020. In a partnership, the state commission has agreed to contribute $1.5 million
in the next seven years to endow a research chair focused on berries. It’s hoped that that position can be based in Whatcom County. Randy Honcoop, board member grower, said work continues toward finding a publicly available cultivar that can be strong enough to replace the Meeker variety. Among the new names are Cascade Heart and Cascade Premier.
Blueberries stay on a growth path LYNDEN — Alan Schreiber, head of the Washington Blueberry Commission, spoke at the Small Fruit Conference of how American blueberry production has shifted strongly to the West Coast, and in the state of Washington Whatcom is the leading county producer on about 7,500 acres. “Whatcom County is still planting a lot of blueberries,” and not all plants in the ground have reached full production yet, Schreiber said. Since 2006 blueberry production in Washington has risen an average of 14 percent per year. “Production is going to increase for years to come,” he said. It all adds up to a projected volume of 153 million pounds of fruit for the 2019 harvest (not completely tallied yet) in Washington, and that could rise to 165 million pounds next year, he predicted. Almost 70 percent of
Rob Dhaliwal, right, of Everson, has served nine years on the Washington Blueberry Commission. (Calvin Bratt/Lynden Tribune)
the state crop is processed, just over 30 percent sold fresh. On an assessment of four-tenths cent per pound, the Washington Blueberry Commission will have about $600,000 to work with in 2020, of which a majority will go for plant research and some promotion, although the whole industry has two national groups also working on its behalf. Schreiber said that, as for raspberries, keeping a position focused on blue-
berry research at Washington State University is a priority. He talked at length on trade initiatives into Asia to build up export markets there. “We think southeast Asia is going to be a big new outlet for our berries.” Schreiber presented a plaque of appreciation to Whatcom grower Rob Dhaliwal, who has served on the state commission for nine years. Andy Enfield and Todd Van Mersbergen of Lynden are also members.
Couple wins national tree farming honor Of Bellingham, David and Dar New operate on 165 acres near Arlington WHATCOM — A Bellingham couple that treefarms in Snohomish County has been named National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year. David and Darlina New earlier this year won Western regional selection in the American Tree Farm System and then were chosen from among the final four for the top honor, said tree farmer Tom Westergreen of Whatcom County. The New pair are thirdgeneration owners of the Nourse Tree Farm located north of Arlington, Westergreen said. The 165 acres the News operate has been in the family for 76 years, but that’s not as automatic as it sounds. After an uncle passed away, the legacy property was put up for sale. Fortunately, Dave and Dar found a way to purchase the farm and protect it from development. “The New family has a very interesting story to tell about small family landowners protecting our forest lands and the animals and fish that live there,” Westergreen said. They were also named Washington Tree Farmer of the Year two years ago.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Dec. 4 announced the November Federal Order Class III benchmark milk price at $20.45 per hundredweight. That is up $1.73 from October, $6.01 above November 2018 and the highest Class III price since October 2014. On Friday, Dec. 6, Class III futures projected a December price at $19.55, January 2020 at $18.67, February at $17.88 and March at $17.48. January was the peak, with a bottom pegged at $17.19 in May. The 11-month Class III price average is $16.74, up from $14.69 at this time a year ago and $16.24 in 2017. The November Class IV price is $16.60, up 21 cents from October and $1.54 above a year ago. Its average stands at $16.26, up from $14.15 a year ago and $15.31 in 2017. The strengthened milk prices are the result of strong cheese prices driven by robust consumer demand and some tight milk supplies primarily in the Midwest, where tough economics has driven hundreds of dairies out of business. Cheddar block cheese climbed to just under $2.24 per pound in mid-September while the barrels peaked at $2.39, 10 cents shy of the alltime record high. Both have since retreated, but remain above year-ago levels. The first week of December saw a mixed dairy market at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Block cheese closed that Friday at $1.97 per pound, up .75 cents on the week and 62 cents above a year ago. The bar-
By Lee Mielke
rels finished at $2.2275, down 2 cents, and $1.005 above a year ago, with an inverted spread of 25.75 cents. Cheese orders were steady to busier in the Central region, said Dairy Market News, and more milk is becoming available. Plenty of milk is available to Western cheese plants and production is active. Retail and food service requests are steady and at seasonal levels while pizza sales are solid. Butter shot up to almost $2.44 per pound in mid-July, but an abundance of cream, both domestically produced and imported, has pressured prices to fall below $2 per pound for the first time in three years. The Dec. 6 butter price was trading at $1.9150 per pound, down 8.25 cents, lowest since November 2016 and 29.25 cents below a year ago. Sales reports continue to be strong for Central butter makers, says DMN, with positive numbers. The Western butter market was stable to declining compared to the previous week.
Thanksgiving sales were solid and retailers are now placing large orders to restock shelves for the end-of-year holidays. Grade A nonfat dry milk saw a little weakness mid-week, but rallied to close 3 cents higher at $1.2675 per pound, the highest CME price since Oct. 23, 2014, and 38.25 cents above a year ago. CME dry whey closed Dec. 6 at 36.75 cents per pound, up 1.5 cents on the week but 7 cents below a year ago, with no trades reported for the week. Dairy farmers are catching up on debts that mounted the past number of years due to poor returns. However, feed prices are rising and farmers well know that today’s strong milk prices will inevitably shrink back. The 2020 outlook is positive, although of course much depends on the milk supply, consumer demand and especially exports, which have suffered from the ongoing tariff and trade wars. The Northwest Dairy Association makes these price projections for the Class III price and Pacific Northwest blend price: Month Class PNW III Blend Nov. $20.45 $17.70 (current) Dec. $19.00 $17.90 Jan. $18.10 $17.80 Feb. $17.40 $17.60 March $17.00 $17.50 April $16.70 $17.30 May $16.95 $17.40 June $16.90 $17.60 July $17.30 $17.80 Aug. $17.30 $17.85 Lee Mielke, of Lynden, is editor of the Mielke Market Weekly. Whatcom County has about 85 dairy farms.
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Good tree farming is a New family thing. The national organization says the News won “for their efforts to restore a portion of a critical watershed to help a threatened species in their state.” What else makes them outstanding? This is more of what was said when the News won Outstanding Tree Farm Family for the Western region: “Rather than continue a hands-off management approach, they contacted a consultant forester who developed a timber management plan and recommended harvest of an over-mature stand of red alder. After this introduction to active forest management, Dave and Dar joined the Washington Farm Forestry Association, wrote their own forest stewardship plan and joined the Washington Tree Farm Program. “They drew upon the expertise of local agencies and professionals to restore a degraded fish habitat stream, which involved channel construction, installing large woody debris, and riparian planting. “Grateful for the assistance that local organizations provided during their
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education, Dave and Dar have hosted Washington State University Forestry Extension and Conservation District workshops and field tours. In fall 2018, Dave successfully organized a tree farm open house; over 200 people, including county and state officials and local natural resources organizations, were in attendance. “Today, the New family continues to find ways to work on the tree farm and promote the values of the American Tree Farm System. The ATFS decal is a template, and Dave and his family have demonstrated their dedication to protect and manage the water, wood, wildlife, and recreation elements on their tree farm.”
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A10 • Wednesday, December 11, 2019 • lyndentribune.com
IN BLOOM
4-H Reports COUNTRY PARTNERS Braden Kooiman, reporter Country Partners kicked off the new 4-H year with its first meeting on Oct. 17, 2019, at Nooksack Valley Reformed Church. Our new officers for this year are: president Becky Thompson, vice president Lukas Kooiman, treasurer Olivia Vander Veen, secretary Addison Vander Veen, reporter Braden Kooiman, historian Caroline Van Beek and recreation leader Garrett Van Beek. We formed new committees and decided on activities for the year. We played a couple of games led by Garrett Van Beek. Baskets of Blessings was held at the Everson Senior Center at 12:30 Friday, Nov. 22. We had many great performances including violins, a harp, flute, piano, a dance and even a skit. Afterward, Country Partners shared a few rabbits and a rooster with the seniors. Then came the baskets and
The gift that keeps on growing
The Country Partners 4-H Club has been faithful each year putting on a live Nativity scene at the Elenbaas Country Store in Nooksack. (Courtesy photo) barnyard bingo! Several 4-H’ers helped players and others picked words.
Each senior was given a basket of treats. It was so much fun!
Darigold starts Daily Churn of dairy outlook SEATTLE — Darigold Inc. has launched a new digital magazine to provide a new approach to building awareness about progress in the dairy sector. Trademarked as The Daily Churn and managed by a former environmental journalist, it features articles, photo essays and videos about the latest in-
novations and research from around the world as well as the people who keep refrigerators stocked with cheese, yogurt and other dairy products. “The Daily Churn is designed to close the gap between public perception and what actually happens on dairy farms, giving credit where it’s due in a balanced way,” said Tafline
Laylin, Darigold’s leader of digital communication and social engagement. Laylin comes from working as a freelance editor and environmental journalist with bylines in The Guardian, NBC News and The Atlantic, among others. “We understand consumers want to know their food is being produced responsibly.”
Live nativity, open house at Elenbaas store on Saturday
Seattle Flower & Garden show tickets available at CHS stores
able at the CHS outlets at Fairway TrueValue and 415 Depot Rd. in Lynden and 104 Nooksack Ave. in Nooksack. The show will be Feb. 26 through March 1 in the Washington State Convention Center. Tickets bought online are $10$20, with a half-day rate of $13. Local ticket partners receive a commission from sales, meaning purchasers are supporting their local nursery as well.
EVERSON — Elenbaas Country Store, 302 W. Main St., again hosts a Country Partners 4-H Club live nativity scene open to the public, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. There will also be an open house at the store, starting at 4 p.m., with wagon rides for free and refreshments inside.
WHATCOM — Tickets to the 2020 Northwest Flower & Garden Festival in Seattle can be bought at $1 off the normal online transaction fee at three local CHS Northwest stores. Tickets are avail-
As a child, one of my favorite Christmas stories was a book about a family that brought a living Christmas tree into their apartment, only to have it grow up to the ceiling and through holes they cut in both of their upstairs neighbors’ floors, bringing joy and new friendships to all three families. Magical potted Christmas trees notwithstanding, gardening is a hobby that brings joy and grows friendships as well as plants. Whether you have someone on your Christmas list who has gardened for years or may be stretching their green thumb for the first time, here are some gift ideas to help grow that passion. First, winter can be a tough time for those of us who like to garden outdoors, with short days and drizzly weather limiting both a gardener’s enthusiasm and plants’ ability to grow. One species, though, thrives in winter: hellebores. These shade-loving evergreen plants bloom in the darkest days of winter, providing a splash of color in the garden when it needs it most. And like hydrangeas, heuchera and hostas, hellebores have become something of a collector’s item with an incredible number of varieties on the market today, meaning once you’ve had one hellebore in your yard, you’re almost sure to want several more. Two of my favorite newer hellebore varieties this winter are Cheryl’s Shine, with large pink flowers, and Ice ‘N Roses Early Red with beautiful burgundy flowers and glossy dark green foliage. Available budded and blooming at local garden centers now through early spring, hellebores make a great living gift the recipient can enjoy for years to come. Another plant to enjoy this time of year is amaryllis, a winter-blooming bulb for growing indoors
By David Vos
that boasts large flowers atop sturdy stems. While amaryllis are easy to grow, a recent innovation has made them even more carefree: wax. Amaryllis bulbs dipped in wax make a great conversation piece. With their attached wire stand, they can sit on your kitchen counter, fireplace mantel or coffee table and will grow and bloom with no water or soil required. Add them to your Christmas décor for a living accent or give them as a fun hostess gift and watch the plant grow and bloom with no additional care. Aside from plants, there are plenty of other gifts you can give to help foster a love of gardening. One of my favorites is Deadheads, an aptly named snips designed for removing spent flowers. Great for light-duty jobs, Deadheads rest easily in the palm of your hand and make deadheading
fast and easy. For other pruning jobs, from harvesting flowers and vegetables to serious springtime cleanup, we gardeners use our pruners as much or more than any other tool. For that reason, a high-quality pair of pruners made with parts that can be repaired or replaced makes an excellent gift. Felco is my brand of choice, and while they’re not cheap, the fact that I can easily disassemble my pruners to clean and sharpen it means I have a hand pruner that is always ready for the job at hand and will serve me well for years if not decades. Finally, if you enjoy gardening, share that joy with the next generation by putting some kid-sized garden tools under the Christmas tree this year. No other hobby lends itself to such lifelong enjoyment as gardening, from a 2-year-old’s fascination with picking her first carrot to a 92-yearold caring for flowers on her apartment deck. So pass along the joy you’ve found in gardening this Christmas by giving your favorite junior gardener their own set of garden tools or even just a kidsized rake or shovel. Much like that Christmas tree in my childhood storybook, gardening itself is a gift that truly keeps on growing. Enjoy sharing the wonder of watching things grow by giving a gardening gift this Christmas! David Vos is manager of Vander Giessen Nursery Inc. inLynden.
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