Many producers in the pulse crop growing states have

some hefty decisions to make in the near future. And, admittedly there’s some trepidation involved. Growers have many investments to juggle on a year-to-year basis, and another investment decision is bound to call for a cost/benefit analysis. In the following article, the Pulse Pipeline hopes to answer most of the questions growers from Idaho, Montana, North Dakota and Washington may have when deciding to vote for or against this temporary assessment increase.

BACKGROUND“To increase my assessment from 1% to 1.5%; that is the question’” (my apologies to Shakespeare).

Montana growers will be answering that question later in this month, North Dakota is considering asking this question in the near future and Idaho has already answered that question (a resounding “yes”), but right now, Washington pulse crop growers are on deck, waiting to step up to the plate. A ballot asking Washington growers to decide whether the assessment on pulse crops should be increased by an additional half a percent for a 3-year period was mailed out by the Washington State Department

of Agriculture on March 1st on behalf of the Washington Pulse Crops Commission (WPCC). Last year the WPCC asked for a 1% increase. That referendum passed with a majority vote of 57% of production, but WA requires a 60% majority to validate the results, so ultimately the referendum failed. Two line items on the ballot, changing the name of the commission and adding Faba beans to the marketing order for Washington passed.

“The request is 1.5% because producers told us last year that 2% was too big,” said Palouse, Washington Grower and Chair of the WPCC Dave Harlow in a letter sent to all assessed growers in Washington State. “Idaho producers are paying 1.5% now, and Montana producers will join Washington to vote in March. All increases are the same and last for only three years.” All WPCC commissioners supported the letter. See “Make Your Vote Count” on page 7.

This additional investment by the pulse industry will pay for a number of marketing, branding and research endeavors throughout the next three years, with the idea of building on the incredible momentum created by the International Year of Pulses (IYP).

In 2016, the UN International Year of Pulses (IYP), our industry conducted our most successful domestic marketing effort ever.

The North American campaign exceeded 3.44 billion impressions. Nearly 840,000 people are website users and more than 57,000

people took the Pulse Pledge. In consumer surveys,

recognition of the term “pulse” as peas, lentils, chickpeas or beans rose from 5% in November, 2015 to

CONTINUED ON PG. 4>>

VOLUME XVI ISSUE 35 MARCH 03, 2017

Contents• Assessment Info .............1, 2, 4, 5 & 6• India Fumigation Waiver ..................2• Pulse Market News .............................3• Pulse Crop Markets Webinar ..........4• WSDA Voting Instructions ...............7

SPECIAL EDITION

CONTINUED ON PG. 2>>

SPECIAL THANKS TO GROWERS HOWARD JONES, BRIAN SILFLOW AND DAVE HARLOW FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE PULSED WEBINAR, UNDERSTANDING PULSE CROP MARKETS. STORY ON PAGE 2.

“I’m willing to spend a little bit now for a

return in the future. The increase is just a different avenue of investing.”

Dan McKinley of Dayton, WA

Copyright2017 22780 W. Pullman Road, Moscow, ID 83843 • www.usapulses.org • Ph: 208.882.3023 • Fax: 208.882.6406

Last week, the Pulse Pipeline reported that India had denied Canada an extension of the methyl bromide

(MeBr) fumigation waiver (2/24/2017 edition). Pete Klaiber, VP of Marketing for the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council promised to keep members abreast of the situation.

“Further to last week’s message, the Canadian Minister of Commerce met with the Indian Minister of Commerce this week in Delhi,” said Klaiber. “The fumigation issue was on the agenda, but no announcement came out of that meeting.”

Klaiber reports that he Canadian Minister of Agriculture will meet with his Indian counterpart next Tuesday, and will also meet with the Indian Minister

of Commerce next Wednesday. Again, the fumigation issue will be a main topic of conversation.

“We remain hopeful there will be a positive resolution of this issue – at least on a temporary basis – prior to March 31st,” he projects. “But we think that it is unlikely that India PPQ will make any announcement on the subject until the Indian Government meetings with the Canadian Minister of Ag meetings are concluded next week.”

Although Klaiber is concerned that the pulse trade won’t have an answer yet for another week, he claims the door remains open for a good outcome. More to come in future newsletters.

CONTINUEDover 25% in June, 2016. In addition, 1,190 new food products with pulses as ingredients were launched this year compared to only 200 launches just 10 years

ago. A new Kelton consumer survey shows that U.S. consumption has risen, while the number of respondents that claimed “Never Tried Pulses” have decreased.

Perhaps this incline in awareness and consumption both domestically and globally explains why pulses have seen strong markets with good prices in spite of a 35% increase in acreage in the United States and a general slump in other ag commodities. “What a difference a year makes!” said CEO Tim McGreevy. “Pulse markets are steady, pulse acreage is on the rise, and we’ve planted the seed for a healthy domestic market. We have to ask ourselves-how can we capitalize on these great IYP successes?”

Part of the answer is a new marketing campaign in the works that builds from the pulse pledge campaign held during IYP, the “Half-Cup Habit; Just Add Pulses!” campaign.

HALF-CUP HABIT“The Dietary Guidelines of America call for a ½ cup of pulses 3 times a week for optimal health and nutrition benefits,” said Director of Food Marketing, Jessie Hunter. Hunter points out that the previous pulse pledge campaign introduced the world to pulses, but the Half Cup Habit takes pulse product promotion to

CONTINUED ON PG.4>>

and join a revoluuonTHE FUTURE OF FOODINVEST IN

www.usapulsemovement.org

DRY PEAS • LENTILS • CHICKPEAS

For future generaaons.Building a legacy,

@USAPULSES

2780 W. Pullman Rd.Moscow, Idaho 83843208•882•3023info@usapulses.org

Head Office:

www.usapulsemovement.org

Why you should vote “Yes” toan increased investment

• Nutrition & Functionality Research

• Develop new varieties with new

marketable traits.

• Increase productivity of pulse crops.

• Increase Awareness

• Expand Usage

• Broaden Appeal

North American Marketing Campaign

Research Investment

• “Half-Cup Habit” Promotional Campaign

• Social Media Campaign (Millennials/Boomers)

• Pulses in School Lunch Program

Pulse Brand Expansion

Copyright2017 2780 W. Pullman Road, Moscow, ID 83843 • www.usapulses.org • Ph: 208.882.3023 • Fax: 208.882.6406 32780 W. Pullman Road, Moscow, ID 83843 • www.usapulses.org • Ph: 208.882.3023 • Fax: 208.882.6406

Today’s Exchange Rate: 1 Canadian dollar = 0.76 U.S.

� Market prices contained in this newsletter may or may not reflect actual market conditions at the time of sale.

� U.S. prices are gathered from USDA Bean Market News which uses averages based on U.S. #1 production from the date surveyed and are for thresher run, clean basis.

� Canadian prices are gathered from the Saskatchewan government.

√ Compared to last week: Trading activity was slow to steady with moderate demand. Contracted product is moving steady.

Nor thern T ie r : P r i ces reported on a cwt basis, Del warehouse, thresher run and U.S. No. 2’s or better.

2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015$5.97 $5.81 $5.29 $5.31 $13.86 $14.04 $10.59 $10.40 $11.28 $11.28 $7.43 $7.43

March 3, 2017 NPP $7.50 $7.50 $6.82 $7.00 $26.77 $26.77 $23.50 $23.13 $36.50 $36.50 $31.50 $31.50

February 24, 2017 NPP $7.50 $7.50 $6.82 $7.00 $26.59 $26.59 $23.32 $22.95 $36.50 $36.50 $31.50 $31.50September 11, 2015 NPP $11.06 $11.06 $11.06 $11.06 $30.85 $30.85 $27.58 $27.21 $26.00 $26.00 $21.00 $21.00

All All

Pulse Loan Rate: #2 Grade

Midwest region: all counties in Montana and North Dakota, plus all counties in all other states not in the West Region.Source: USDA Farm Service Agency

USDA2015-16NationalPostedPriceandLoanRateSummary

NewLoanRatesEff:May1DryPeas Lentils LargeChickpeas SmallChickpeas

West Midwest West Midwest

PNW: Prices reported on a cwt basis, Del warehouse, thresher run and U.S. No. 1’s.

GreenPeas(whole) $ 10.50-11.67 $ 10.50-11.67 $ 12.00-12.50YellowPeas(whole) $ 12.92-13.33 $ 12.92-13.33 $ 12.00Lentils(Brewer) $ N/A $ N/A $ 46.00Lentils(Pardina) $ 25.00-25.50 $ 25.00-25.50 $ 42.00-45.00Chickpeas(LargeKabuli) $ 35.00-36.00 $ 34.00-37.00 $ 30.00-33.00

GreenPeas $ 10.42-11.25 $ 10.83-11.25 $ 10.00-12.08YellowPeas $ 10.42-15.00 $ 10.00-15.00 $ 10.00-17.50Lentils(Richlea) $ 33.00-36.00 $ 30.00-34.00 $ 45.00-52.00Chickpeas(LargeKabuli) $ 32.00-47.00 $ 32.00-47.00 $ 28.00-30.00

GreenPeas $ 11.35 $ 11.35 $ 11.22YellowPeas $ 11.37 $ 11.37 $ 17.82FeedPeas $ 7.00 $ 7.00 $ 8.27Lentils(Laird) $ 41.97 $ 49.26 $ 54.59Lentils(Red) $ 18.05 $ 20.44 $ 34.41Lentils(Richlea) $ 39.25 $ 41.85 $ 48.74Chickpeas(Desi) $ 26.85 $ 26.85 $ 20.19Chickpeas(Kabuli9mm) $ 40.76 $ 40.76 $ 22.65

(PricesinU.S.$/cwt.)AsofFebruary22,2017

NorthernPlains

PULSEPRICECHART(GrowerPricesinU.S.$/cwt.on#1Grade)March3,2017 February24,2017 LASTYEARPacificNorthwest

NorthernPlains

Canada

Bank of Canada

Copyright2017 42780 W. Pullman Road, Moscow, ID 83843 • www.usapulses.org • Ph: 208.882.3023 • Fax: 208.882.6406

Over 40 producers and pulse trade members participated online and in person for the

“Understanding Pulse Crop Markets” grower education webinar. USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council CEO Tim McGreevy introduced the PulsED grower module with an introduction to the council and an overview of the pulse crop industry, including a brief explanation of the upcoming Washington assessment vote. Vice President of Marketing explained how the process of getting a crop from the field to fork worked, but in reverse (in a short, fun video entitled Pulse Crops, From Fork to Field). He explained the international pulse crop market and introduced attendees to the six international marketing reps working on behalf of the pulse industry in a Meet the Reps video clip. Later, he introduced a panel of experienced pulse crop growers to discuss how they make planting decisions and adjust their marketing strategies.

This webinar, and the previous webinar “Risk Management Products” will be edited and made available on the pulse industry website in the following weeks. The USADPLC will send out a notice when these are ready for viewing.

The next PulsED grower education module, Harvest Concerns is scheduled for May 31st, 2017. To register for all of these free webinars, visit www.usapulses.org/pulsED.

Special thanks to our grower panel, Howard Jones of Genessee, Idaho; Brian Silflow from Kendrick, Idaho and Dave Harlow from Palouse, Washington for their participation in this educational endeavor sponsored by the USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council and the Risk Management Agency.

VP of Marketing, Pete Klaiber (left) moderates a Q/A session panel of experienced growers, (L-R) Howard Jones, Brian Silflow, & Dave Harlow. Grower and WPGA Co-Chair Jon Olson listens with interest.

Photo Below: After the webinar, Howard Jones (right) presented CEO Tim McGreevy with the Pat Takasugi Agriculture Leadership Award for his contributions to the growth and development of Idaho agriculture.. Howard accepted the award on Tim’s behalf at the 2017 Larry Branen Idaho Ag Summit held in Boise, Idaho on February 20th, 2017.

Copyright2017 2780 W. Pullman Road, Moscow, ID 83843 • www.usapulses.org • Ph: 208.882.3023 • Fax: 208.882.6406 52780 W. Pullman Road, Moscow, ID 83843 • www.usapulses.org • Ph: 208.882.3023 • Fax: 208.882.6406

Your Washington Pulse Crops Commission supports a 3-year 1/2 percent increase to our pulse crop assessment. The increase will begin July 1, 2017 and end June 30, 2020.

The Investment

Your vote will fund a marketing campaign that builds on the unprecedented success of the International Year of Pulses (IYP); a Pulse Brand campaign that rivals that of Whole Grains; a “Powered by Pulses” program designed to increase pulses in school lunch programs; and, a legacy of breeding, health, nutrition and functionality research for pulse crops.research for pulse crops.

About Your VoteMADE WITHCHICKPEAS!

MADE WITHDRY PEAS!

Made withChickpeas & Dry Peas!

Made withLENTILS!

1,200 New Products MADE with pulses in 2016!

You’re In Good Company

• Farm Bill Payments - ARC-CO =

$20-50/acre in 2014 and 2015

• Pulse Revenue Crop Ins. -

Avg. pymt. = $98/acre in 2015

• 6 Trade Representatives Overseas

• 15 yr Pulse Export Increase

• 2016 Int’l Year of Pulses (IYP)

• Hampton Pea & Nash Chickpea Varieties

(Better yield and disease resistance)

• Lorox weed control for lentils

Recent AccomplishmentsRisk Management Tools

Market Development

Research

How Much Will it Cost?Assessments are currently set at 1% of net value at the first point of sale. We estimate the total cost of a 1.5% assessment to be about $4.50 per acre for peas, $5.60 for lentils and up to $6.40 per acre for chickpeas, based on 5-yr. average yields and prices.

Pulse Brand CampaignYour Investment Will Fund

Expanded Media Campaign• Build acceptance & awareness.

• Half-Cup Habit; Just Add Pulses

• School Lunch Program; Powered by Pulses

Research Legacy• Functionality & Nutrition-based Research

• Expanded Breeding & Variety Improvement

Build on 2016 IYP MomentumSocial media campaign 3.4 billion impressions

840,000 + unique website users

Over 57,000 people took the Pulse Pledge

1,200 new food products with pulses

Strong prices, record exports, and increasedper capita consumppon in North America!

a new level, with a goal to increase domestic demand to 1.7 million MT (11.5 lbs per person) by 2020. “The idea behind the campaign is to p r o m o t e ‘Just Add Pulses’ to your favorite dishes, making it easy to add nutrition and flavor to any meal,” explains Hunter. Cooking ground beef? Just Add Pulses. Making a smoothie? Just Add Pulses. Steaming rice? Just Add… you get the idea.

PULSE BRAND CAMPAIGNThe new Pulse Brand helps consumers identify products with pulses and associate them with nutrition, versatility and sustainability. Promotions will give food manufacturers reason to use the pulse brand and help the industry promote pulses as a category. With over 1200 new pulse-based products introduced in North America in the last year, the timing to invest in the new Pulse Brand couldn’t be better, says McGreevy. “We’re getting a lot of interest by food manufacturers to use the pulse brand on their products,” he states. “Throughout the next three years, we hope to have this brand on pulse food items in every grocery aisle in the United States.”

FUNCTIONALITY AND NUTRITION RESEARCHThe health and nutrition benefits of dry peas, lentils, chickpeas and beans have been trending this year. With over 3.4 billion social media impressions, these themes were hard to miss. However, the industry needs to seek and provide funding for research that substantiates these claims. “Each time a positive

research paper is released, it starts a media frenzy that results in our products trending for weeks,” says Hunter. “Definitive research further promotes our message, and consumers respond. When consumers

respond, food manufacturers respond in kind.”

These same manufacturers are also demanding better information

from the pulse industry on the end-use properties of pulse crops. Better

funded commodities like wheat and corn have these figures at the ready,

but pulse crops are lagging behind. “We’ve historically been a whole-

food product,” says Todd Scholz, VP of Research. “Suddenly we’re diving deep

into the ingredient market, and the response by food manufacturers has been phenomenal. They want to know the milling properties of different pulses, for example, and we have to have that data ready to provide when they need it.”

The increase will also help fund pulse crop breeding and genetics, weed, disease and pest management research to keep our growers competitive.

And all these additional endeavors are on top of the pulse industry efforts in

international marketing and trade support (which is enjoying a record breaking export year), policy support and Washington DC education (think Farm Bill, folks); risk management support (get your pulse crop revenue or farm policy payment, yet?) as well as new varieties promising increased yield and disease resistance, as examples of the services your 1% as-sessment already provides.

CONTINUED

“Idaho is at 1.5% and it’s time to step up and

join our brothers to the East and vote for this thing.”

Walla Walla, WA Grower, Greg Ferrel

“This is our

opportunity, if we

let this go by we

might not get this

opportunity again.”

Jon Olson of Garfield, WA.

CONTINUED ON PG.6>>

Copyright2017 62780 W. Pullman Road, Moscow, ID 83843 • www.usapulses.org • Ph: 208.882.3023 • Fax: 208.882.6406

“It’s tough in these economic times - we

need to take advantage of this IYP momentum and strengthen our markets.”

Pullman, WA GrowerKevin Mader

MARCH15 Info/Gov Committee Mtg.16 WPGA Jt. Commissions Mtg.22 Pulse Milling Workshop

Your Washington Pulse Crops Commission supports a 3-year 1/2 percent increase to our pulse crop assessment. The increase will begin July 1, 2017 and end June 30, 2020.

The Investment

Your vote will fund a marketing campaign that builds on the unprecedented success of the International Year of Pulses (IYP); a Pulse Brand campaign that rivals that of Whole Grains; a “Powered by Pulses” program designed to increase pulses in school lunch programs; and, a legacy of breeding, health, nutrition and functionality research for pulse crops.research for pulse crops.

About Your VoteMADE WITHCHICKPEAS!

MADE WITHDRY PEAS!

Made withChickpeas & Dry Peas!

Made withLENTILS!

1,200 New Products MADE with pulses in 2016!

You’re In Good Company

• Farm Bill Payments - ARC-CO =

$20-50/acre in 2014 and 2015

• Pulse Revenue Crop Ins. -

Avg. pymt. = $98/acre in 2015

• 6 Trade Representatives Overseas

• 15 yr Pulse Export Increase

• 2016 Int’l Year of Pulses (IYP)

• Hampton Pea & Nash Chickpea Varieties

(Better yield and disease resistance)

• Lorox weed control for lentils

Recent AccomplishmentsRisk Management Tools

Market Development

Research

How Much Will it Cost?Assessments are currently set at 1% of net value at the first point of sale. We estimate the total cost of a 1.5% assessment to be about $4.50 per acre for peas, $5.60 for lentils and up to $6.40 per acre for chickpeas, based on 5-yr. average yields and prices.

Pulse Brand CampaignYour Investment Will Fund

Expanded Media Campaign• Build acceptance & awareness.

• Half-Cup Habit; Just Add Pulses

• School Lunch Program; Powered by Pulses

Research Legacy• Functionality & Nutrition-based Research

• Expanded Breeding & Variety Improvement

Build on 2016 IYP MomentumSocial media campaign 3.4 billion impressions

840,000 + unique website users

Over 57,000 people took the Pulse Pledge

1,200 new food products with pulses

Strong prices, record exports, and increasedper capita consumppon in North America!

CONCLUSIONGiven these arguments, a devil’s advocate may ask, “Is there really room for improvement?” The short answer is “You Betcha.” Prior to IYP, less than 8 lbs of pulses per person, per year were consumed (36.5 servings a year). The objective for all of these endeavors is to lead to an increase in domestic consumption to 3 servings a week of (you guessed it) ½ cup. If that happens, you’ll sell a majority of your pulse crop you grow domestically.

However, we can’t make this happen without your help, and that means a larger investment in the pulse industry.

So, how much will this half-percent increase cost a pulse crop farmer? The USADPLC have crunched the numbers, and here’s the obligatory table of projections. A quick glance of the table, along with rudimentary math performed by a communications major show it will cost the grower an extra $1.33 per acre for dry peas, $1.69/ac for lentils, and an extra $2.39/ac for chickpeas.

Remember to vote. And, if you run multiple entities, vote often (one vote per entity, please). Sign each ballot and mail them all back by March 15, 2017 (this is the correct date).

If you have any questions, remember that the USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council works for you. Give them a call at 208-882-3023, and they will help in any way they can.

CONTINUED

2

Howmuchwillitcost?Werealizethatthereisnogoodtimetoincreaseanassessment.However,wetrulybelievethattheopportunitywillbelostwithoutanincreasedinvestmentnow.Assessmentsarecurrently1%ofnetvalueatthefirstpointofsale.Thetablebelowlaysoutapproximatecostsperacreforthecurrentandproposedassessment:

Crop Average*Yield/acre

Average*MarketPrice/lb

Currentassessment/acre

Assessmentcost/acreat1.5%

DryPeas 2,040lbs $0.13 $2.65 $3.98Lentils 1,210lbs $0.28 $3.39 $5.08

Chickpeas 1,448lbs $0.33 $4.78 $7.17

*Thetableisbasedonaveragepricesandyieldsoverthepastfiveyears.Istherereallyroomforimprovement?PulsepriceshaveshownincrediblestrengththisyearinspiteofincreasedsupplyintheUS.OurgoalistoincreaseconsumptionintheUSfrom9lbs.perpersonperyear(about36½cupservingsperyear)to3servingsperweek,theRecommendedDailyAllowance(RDA).Thiswouldincreasedemandbyover3millionmetrictons(MMT).Currentproductionis3.9MMT.Weneedyourhelptomakethishappen.Whathappensnext?TheCommissionisconductinganeducationcampaignoverthenextfewweeks.WewillbeattendingmeetingsandtheUSADPLCwillbesendingoutletterslikethisone.Thisisyourtimetoaskquestions.Anoutlineofthescheduleisbelow:

• February—Educationandinformationcampaign• March3—WSDAmailsballotsforthereferendumtoeachassessedproducer.• March17—Lastdayforpostmarkofreturnedballots.• Mid-April—ResultstalliedandreportofresultssenttoeachproducerbyWSDA.

Ifyouhaveanyquestions,callanycommissionerlistedbelowortheUSADPLCofficeat208-882-3023.WAPulseCropsCommissionBoardofCommissioners:DaveHarlow,ChairPalouse,WA509-878-8320ScotCocking,ViceChairFarmington,WA208-668-1149AaronFlansburgPalouse,WA509-595-1179

MichaelTeeLatah,WA509-370-4214NateHahnerFairfield,WA208-828-0518GregFerrelWallaWalla,WA509-520-1399

BraidyHadenWilbur,WA509-641-1986DanBruce,HandlerFarmington,WA509-287-2711ScottSteinbacher,WSDARepresentative509-533-2487

TimMcGreevy,ExecutiveDirectorWAPulseCropsCommission

2

Howmuchwillitcost?Werealizethatthereisnogoodtimetoincreaseanassessment.However,wetrulybelievethattheopportunitywillbelostwithoutanincreasedinvestmentnow.Assessmentsarecurrently1%ofnetvalueatthefirstpointofsale.Thetablebelowlaysoutapproximatecostsperacreforthecurrentandproposedassessment:

Crop Average*Yield/acre

Average*MarketPrice/lb

Currentassessment/acre

Assessmentcost/acreat1.5%

DryPeas 2,040lbs $0.13 $2.65 $3.98Lentils 1,210lbs $0.28 $3.39 $5.08

Chickpeas 1,448lbs $0.33 $4.78 $7.17

*Thetableisbasedonaveragepricesandyieldsoverthepastfiveyears.Istherereallyroomforimprovement?PulsepriceshaveshownincrediblestrengththisyearinspiteofincreasedsupplyintheUS.OurgoalistoincreaseconsumptionintheUSfrom9lbs.perpersonperyear(about36½cupservingsperyear)to3servingsperweek,theRecommendedDailyAllowance(RDA).Thiswouldincreasedemandbyover3millionmetrictons(MMT).Currentproductionis3.9MMT.Weneedyourhelptomakethishappen.Whathappensnext?TheCommissionisconductinganeducationcampaignoverthenextfewweeks.WewillbeattendingmeetingsandtheUSADPLCwillbesendingoutletterslikethisone.Thisisyourtimetoaskquestions.Anoutlineofthescheduleisbelow:

• February—Educationandinformationcampaign• March3—WSDAmailsballotsforthereferendumtoeachassessedproducer.• March17—Lastdayforpostmarkofreturnedballots.• Mid-April—ResultstalliedandreportofresultssenttoeachproducerbyWSDA.

Ifyouhaveanyquestions,callanycommissionerlistedbelowortheUSADPLCofficeat208-882-3023.WAPulseCropsCommissionBoardofCommissioners:DaveHarlow,ChairPalouse,WA509-878-8320ScotCocking,ViceChairFarmington,WA208-668-1149AaronFlansburgPalouse,WA509-595-1179

MichaelTeeLatah,WA509-370-4214NateHahnerFairfield,WA208-828-0518GregFerrelWallaWalla,WA509-520-1399

BraidyHadenWilbur,WA509-641-1986DanBruce,HandlerFarmington,WA509-287-2711ScottSteinbacher,WSDARepresentative509-533-2487

TimMcGreevy,ExecutiveDirectorWAPulseCropsCommission

IN A NUTSHELL...

“I really feel down

the road it will be

beneficial and we will

see a return following

IYP.”

Joe Schmitz of Spring Valley, WA

WHAT WILL IT COST?

Copyright2017 2780 W. Pullman Road, Moscow, ID 83843 • www.usapulses.org • Ph: 208.882.3023 • Fax: 208.882.6406 72780 W. Pullman Road, Moscow, ID 83843 • www.usapulses.org • Ph: 208.882.3023 • Fax: 208.882.6406

Tim, McGreevy, CEO tmcgreevy@usapulses.orgDrex Rhoades, Editor drhoades@usapulses.org

USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council2780 W Pullman RoadMoscow, Idaho 83843208-882-3023 www.usapulses.orgAll rights reserved. 2017.

THE USADPLC IS AN EQUALOPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND PROVIDER.

For Washington growers voting on the current referendum asking for a ½ percent increase in assessments for a period of three years, beginning July 1, 2017 and ending June 30, 2020. The goal of the Washington Pulse Crops Commission is to give each grower the information you’ll need to cast your vote. It is your decision.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) does urge each grower to vote, and to vote for each entity of your farming operation. In their March 1 letter, “Referendum for Changes to the WA Pulse Crops Commission Marketing Order,” the WSDA explains the procedures for voting, listed below:

STATE OF WASHINGTON

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE P.O. Box 42560 • Olympia, Washington 98504-2560 • (360) 902-1800

March 1, 2017 TO: Washington Pulse Crop Producers FROM: Teresa Norman, Coordinator Commodity Commission Program RE: Referendum for Changes to the WA Pulse Crops Commission Marketing Order The Washington Pulse Crops Commission petitioned the Director to amend its marketing order (chapter 16-536 WAC) to increase the assessment rate from 1% to 1.5% of the net receipts at the first point of sale for a period of 3 years beginning July 1, 2017 until June 30, 2020, after which point the assessment rate will return to 1%. After consideration of all written and oral comments, the Director has decided to proceed with a referendum on the proposed change. Please refer to previous mailings from the Department for more information and the specific language for the marketing order change. Enclosed is a ballot to cast your vote. Please read the voting instructions below, mark your ballot and complete and sign the Certificate of Eligibility to Vote (printed on the return mailing envelope). Ballots must be received or postmarked no later than March 15, 2017. If affected producers approve the changes, they will become effective July 1, 2017.

VOTING INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cast your vote and place the ballot in the ballot envelope.

2. Place the ballot envelope in the pre-addressed return envelope.

3. Complete and sign the certification on the back of the return envelope. You MUST complete and sign the certification for your vote to be counted.

4. If you receive more than one ballot, please indicate your vote on each ballot you receive and return each ballot in its own envelope.

5. Mail as soon as possible. Ballots must be received or postmarked no later than March

15, 2017.

6. If you have questions, please contact Teresa Norman at (360) 902-2043 or tnorman@agr.wa.gov.

MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT

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and en

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om 1%

to 1.

5% fo

r three

years,

beginning J

uly 1,

2017

and en

ding June 3

0, 20

20?

Yes

No

Shall th

e asse

ssmen

t rate

be incre

ased fr

om 1%

to 1.

5% fo

r three

years,

beginning J

uly 1,

2017

and en

ding June 3

0, 20

20?

Yes

No

Shall th

e asse

ssmen

t rate

be incre

ased fr

om 1%

to 1.

5% fo

r three

years,

beginning J

uly 1,

2017

and en

ding June 3

0, 20

20?

Yes

No