With elevated operating costs for parts, chemicals, insurance, fuel and labor, local wheat growers were hoping that prices would jump above $7.50 a bushel to make their endeavors above break-even. Prices are hovering around $6 a bushel and now the US Congress has approved payments to keep farmers whole.

The 2020 crop year is one to be celebrated by the 37,200 farms and ranches that make up Oregon’s diverse agricultural community. Oregon is home to more than 225 commodities, everything from cattle to cherries to hazelnuts and wheat. And Production was great in 2020, according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture.