School of Economic Sciecnes

‘A good straw year’: Bales are in big demand in the Northwest

To bale or not to bale? That’s a question farmers face every year about wheat straw, which can be seen stacked in large quantities throughout Washington’s wheat country as harvest season ends. A secondary crop for farmers whose prime concern is grain, Northwest straw is sought after by mushroom growers, livestock owners and, increasingly, for pulp.

Wheat straw bales stand along State Route 270 near Pullman, Wash. Demand for straw was high this year in the inland Northwest. (Photo by Everett Martin)