Posted on Aug 21, 2022
Fire at a Pendleton Flour Mill is the latest blow to Northwest wheat growers
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In mid-August, a massive fire swept through a 100-year-old flour mill in Pendleton. The Pendleton Fire Department evacuated the mill without incident, but officials say the building is a total loss. That’s halted production at the Grain Craft Pendleton Flour Mill, a central piece of the regional economy.
The fire comes in the middle of the wheat harvest season in Eastern Oregon and is the latest blow to an industry that has been plagued by drought and wildfires in recent years. But this year’s late spring brought wetter weather later in the year, improving growing conditions so much that it could be one of the best seasons yet.
Ben Maney, a wheat grower in the area and also the president of the Oregon Wheat Growers League, spoke with OPB’s All Things Considered host Crystal Ligori about the impact the fire has on the Pendleton community and where the wheat industry is heading.
The fire comes in the middle of the wheat harvest season in Eastern Oregon and is the latest blow to an industry that has been plagued by drought and wildfires in recent years. But this year’s late spring brought wetter weather later in the year, improving growing conditions so much that it could be one of the best seasons yet.
Ben Maney, a wheat grower in the area and also the president of the Oregon Wheat Growers League, spoke with OPB’s All Things Considered host Crystal Ligori about the impact the fire has on the Pendleton community and where the wheat industry is heading.
Fire at a Pendleton Flour Mill is the latest blow to Northwest wheat growers
Posted from opb.org
Farming
Agriculture
Pendleton
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 4
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel good morning Brother William, solid read and share, keep them coming.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."“The Pendleton flour mill began operation more than 100 years ago, and it was not only an important component in of providing our customers flour, but it was also a significant piece of history for the city of Pendleton and for the milling industry,” said a press release issued by Chattanooga, Tennessee-based Grain Craft and shared by police Thursday. “All of us at Grain Craft are heartbroken by the events of yesterday.”
Grain Craft is the third largest flour miller in the United States. The company was acquired by Redwood Capital Investments at the end of June.
Oregon is the 11th largest U.S. producer of wheat, which is the state's third largest cash crop, according to the Oregon Wheat Growers League. As much as 90% of wheat produced in Oregon is shipped to overseas markets, primarily in Asia."
..."“The Pendleton flour mill began operation more than 100 years ago, and it was not only an important component in of providing our customers flour, but it was also a significant piece of history for the city of Pendleton and for the milling industry,” said a press release issued by Chattanooga, Tennessee-based Grain Craft and shared by police Thursday. “All of us at Grain Craft are heartbroken by the events of yesterday.”
Grain Craft is the third largest flour miller in the United States. The company was acquired by Redwood Capital Investments at the end of June.
Oregon is the 11th largest U.S. producer of wheat, which is the state's third largest cash crop, according to the Oregon Wheat Growers League. As much as 90% of wheat produced in Oregon is shipped to overseas markets, primarily in Asia."
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Thank you for the great article shipmate PO1 William "Chip" Nagel , hopefully the farmers in that area can get their crops sold at the nearest mills, so as to not have to ship a great distance.
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