Part VI. General Background Information
Average sizes (in terms of acres) of growers’ farm/wheat operations.
| Average across all growers | |
|---|---|
| Acres currently farmed | 3,145 acres |
| Acres of winter wheat (2005) | 1,183 acres |
| Acres of spring wheat (2005) | 280 acres |
Growers’ perceptions of the importance of various information sources on their decision-making about issues related to growing wheat.
| Extremely important (%) |
Mostly important (%) |
Slightly important (%) |
Not important (%) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural input supplier consultations | 36.4 | 46.0 | 13.2 | 4.3 |
| WSU research program field days | 33.5 | 39.6 | 20.4 | 6.5 |
| Spouse or business partner | 31.4 | 29.6 | 20.4 | 18.6 |
| Washington Association of Wheat Growers mailings | 24.9 | 45.7 | 25.4 | 4.0 |
| WSU Extension agent or scientist | 21.8 | 43.0 | 28.4 | 6.8 |
| WSU Extension bulletin | 20.8 | 48.6 | 25.4 | 5.2 |
| Washington Association of Wheat Growers meetings | 12.8 | 27.2 | 42.5 | 17.5 |
| Relatives | 11.2 | 27.0 | 30.3 | 31.5 |
| Agricultural input supplier magazines | 10.5 | 34.2 | 42.7 | 12.7 |
| Neighbors | 10.1 | 35.6 | 36.6 | 17.8 |
| Farm Bureau mailings | 6.3 | 19.0 | 27.4 | 47.2 |
| Farm Bureau meetings | 2.5 | 11.0 | 32.7 | 53.8 |
Total number of field days attended during 2001 – 2005 (average across all growers).
| Average across all growers | |
|---|---|
| Number of field days attended | 3.0 field days |
Percentage of growers with different types of farm business organizations.
| Percentage of growers (%) |
|
|---|---|
| Family corporation | 43.7 |
| Single family or individual operation | 29.1 |
| Family partnership | 22.1 |
| Cooperative, estate, or trust | 1.4 |
| Non-family partnership | 1.0 |
| Non-family corporation | 0.8 |
| Other | 2.0 |
Percentage of work supplied by different individuals on growers’ farms.
Percentage of income from off-farm employment (average across all growers).
| Average across all growers (%) |
|
|---|---|
| Percentage of income from off-farm employment | 22.0 |
Estimated cost of production per acre in 2005 (including costs of seed, fuel, fertilizer, pest and weed control, equipment, taxes, labor, etc.).
| Average across all growers | |
|---|---|
| Estimated cost of production per acre | $152 |
Percentage of growers who reported the following total farm receipts for their farm businesses in 2005.
| Percentage of growers (%) |
|
|---|---|
| Less than $2,500 in total farm receipts | 0.2 |
| $2,500 to $24,999 in total farm receipts | 4.4 |
| $25,000 to $49,999 in total farm receipts | 4.0 |
| $50,000 to $99,999 in total farm receipts | 7.7 |
| $100,000 to $249,999 in total farm receipts | 35.9 |
| $250,000 to $499,999 in total farm receipts | 30.5 |
| $500,000 or more in total farm receipts | 17.3 |
Percentage of growers who reported the following percentage ranges for their total household income derived from the farm operation.
| Percentage of growers (%) |
|
|---|---|
| 0 – 24% of household income from farming | 14.4 |
| 25 – 49% of household income from farming | 13.4 |
| 50 – 74% of household income from farming | 19.6 |
| 75 – 100% of household income from farming | 52.7 |
Highest level of education completed by growers who responded to survey.
| Percentage of growers (%) |
|
|---|---|
| Less than high school degree | 1.4 |
| High school degree | 8.5 |
| Some college | 25.8 |
| Vocational degree | 10.0 |
| College degree | 40.6 |
| Some postgraduate work | 5.9 |
| Postgraduate degree | 7.9 |