What are the Skyrockets? Hills or Mountains?

This is Prescott, Washington in the Touchet River Valley. Prescott is home to the steepest farmland in North America. That’s me, Trevor Struthers. Originally my family farmed land out here in the Skyrockets. That’s what we call these hills around Prescott. Because they rocket to the sky, though they are merely hills. These are not mountains, and this is not technically the Palouse. We are just south of the Snake River in Washington State, and the palouse is just North of the Snake River. The Palouse is primarily in Whitman County and has gently rolling hills. But these hills here do not roll, they can be quite severe in their pitch. There is a lot of unfarmed land out here in the form of what we call eyebrows, which are extremely steep spots on certain hills. While it may seem that we farm all of it, there is much that we can’t even hope to get a tractor out on, let alone a combine. These hills are known to take lives and losing a machine is a common occurrence out here. These fields are soft, steep and downright dangerous.
My desire is to somehow convey the reality of what we and a handful of other farmers are doing, not only in the Skyrockets, but across the entire Touchet River Valley, Walla Walla Valley and Columbia Basin. Washington state is known for its apples, and these days the Walla Walla Valley is more known for its wine or even its sweet onions…often overlooked are the dryland wheat farmers in this area who have been making a living from the dirt out here for nearly two hundred years. This was the Wild West and near the end of the Oregon Trail. Lewis and Clark even came up this very river valley on their route to the Pacific.
Bigger and bigger combines means more and more money on the line every harvest. The machines aren’t getting any lighter, or less expensive in the foreseeable future. With agricultural machinery getting bigger and more complex, farming these hills has not gotten any easier. It was easier and safer to farm back in the 70s when everyone was using International Harvester (now CASE) 1460s. They leveled over further and stuck to the hillsides better. Now with a dwindling parts supply, we are forced to use the machinery we can get loans for. With a new combine’s price tag sitting around one million US Dollars, it is getting harder and harder to make money farming wheat. With no other option but to continue to make ends meet, with fertilizer prices nearly triple of what they were just a few years ago and wheat at only six dollars per bushel…time will tell what happens out here, but whatever comes, you can bet you will find me somewhere out in these hills. Whether it’s me farming, or it’s me holding the video camera…I promise to continue bringing you, my loyal viewers a look inside Washington State Wheat farming. Tractors with no operators doesn’t sound like much fun to me, lucky for me however, the technology to automate farming in this area is still a long way off. I invite you to subscribe if you haven’t and if you have, feel free to leave a comment about what you want to see this next season or just tell me “I did it”.
Whichever it is, any interaction with this video, whether sharing it with someone or posting a link on another site, it all helps the algorithm better promote and get my videos in front of more people. Thank you for clicking on this video and sticking around til the end. Without you watching, there would be no reason for me to record. This channel is not just for you, but for future generations to come, showing them how we farm here in our little corner of Southeastern Washington. As long as youtube exists, I would like these videos to remain up as a little documentary of sorts.
For anyone who wants my email, it’s [e-mail]. it will also be in the description of this video. There will be merch coming and a chance for anyone who wants to help, support, or contribute. I will have a way to do so. I am not sure if that means memberships or patreon, but I want to give supporters something for their contributions.
I recently got a PO Box and that address P.O. Box 73, Prescott, WA, 99348. It will be in the video description as well. I have stickers too, if anyone wants one, send me an email or a letter to my P.O. box and I will send you a sticker. Rest assured that I will continue to post videos and do my part to entertain and maybe even educate a little bit along the way. You have a good one. I may sound southern, but I was born and raised around here and I don’t say y'all. Peace.
Music by Ty Lane of The Frog Hollow Band.
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Please watch: "Wheat Seeding In The Palouse: Case IH Horsch Drill"
• Wheat Seeding In The P...
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[@alanharwood4246]

those were 1470s not 1460s although the 1460 was used to build the 1470. they added a RA hanson leveling attachment to the 6o to mke it a 70

[@TrevorStruthers]

I have a hard time remembering numbers. I get it wrong more often than not.

[@HealthyHomeGuide]

Fascinating glimpse into farming in the Touchet River Valley. I had no idea people farmed in topography like this.

[@TrevorStruthers]

Yeah, we don't leave much of the land unplanted around here. Eventually theres parts we dont go on and an eyebrow is created, then we can't farm there anymore because we make it even steeper by farming around it. I just got a drone this winter, so come spring I will be getting some more vehicles moving in the scenery.

[@tonymckeage1028]

Great Video Trevor, that was a huge personal revelation, totally unexpected but appreciated, thanks for your daring and commitment, thanks for sharing

[@TrevorStruthers]

Much appreciated!

[@andrewwoodhead8305]

Great place to live Trevor ,I'm loving what you are sharing 🙌!!👍👏👌 keep at her!!🇬🇧UK this end👋

[@TrevorStruthers]

Thank you! Will do! I appreciate the love from across the pond!

[@johannbuer1727]

Good video Trevor !! I can see better the steep hills on your farm with the drone in aktion. It's breathtaking to work on this ground. All the best to you and warm greetings from a german farmer. 🙋‍♂️

[@TrevorStruthers]

Thanks 👍. Yes the drone really showcases how steep the land is around here. I can't wait for a tractor to be in the video. Have a good one!

[@rickdavidson3534]

Keep them coming, You have the best hillside video on the world wide web!!

[@TrevorStruthers]

Wow, thanks! Yaaaa! lol.

[@joelg8004]

Best farming channel imho!

[@TrevorStruthers]

Glad you think so! Thank you Joel. lol.

[@John-nc4bl]

Trevor, this is an excellent video narrated with impactful words. With your drone now in action your subscribers will increase.

[@TrevorStruthers]

Wow, thank you John! You and my girlfriend keep saying that, and I hope you're right. Have a good one!

[@amosmoses9247]

Thank you for the behind the scenes commentary, Trevor. The Skyrockets look like an interesting region for sure. As a farm nerd, this would make a great destination during planting or harvest time. To see all the equipment out there doing the work to feed America must be an awesome sight. Have a great 2024!!

[@TrevorStruthers]

Glad you enjoyed it Amos. It is pretty awesome when I look back at the videos, in the moment it just sorta feels like work, lol.

[@taurus4205]

I live in northwestern lower Michigan-“The Cherry Capital”… Our terrain is similar, although not as vast; especially since the orchards have started growing more grains lately.

[@TrevorStruthers]

I've lived near Ann Arbor and in Detroit, and I didn't think there was mountains in Michigan...aside from Mt. Brighton (an old landfill turned into a ski area) . I just google earthed it though, you guys do have some terrain up there that is similar to here. Thank you for the comment! We have mostly apples here in my neck of Washington in the orchards. Have a good one!

[@taurus4205]

@@TrevorStruthers nowhere close to mountains but really steep hills. The south is more flat. I grew up down the road from Mt. Brighton-Hartland- lived in A2/ypsi for many years. 🤙🤘 I really enjoy your content bro! Thanks!

[@dylangoldsmith4353]

As a fellow Palouse farmer I appreciate what you’re doing 👏👏👏

[@TrevorStruthers]

Awesome! Thank you! I was hoping there was some more of you fellow Palouse area farmers who enjoy the content. I appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment. Have a good one!

[@timhenrichs]

Awesome video Trevor. I grew up in Touchet, A little southwest of there. I miss the International 453's, those had 4 way leveling and were awesome for what they were in the 80's growing up. Farming has changed a lot since then, but its videos like yours that allow me to continue to see what's going on out there. I miss the farming and the Touchet and Walla Walla valley but wouldn't change my career choice of health care for anything but returning to farming. Stay safe out there, and maybe one day we'll run into each other out there when I visit family that is still out there.

[@TrevorStruthers]

Yeah, I've only seen the 4 way levelers on youtube and they are in Germany or somewhere in the Alps. I came back to the area to farm, and I don't regret it. Healthcare is a solid field as well though. Helping people is the best kind of work. I hope that we do run into each other when you are out this way. We are along 124 from Lyons Ferry road to Prescott and then up past Dayton as well. You may see me if you go out that way. lol. We are on the road a LOT.

[@markboyanton9880]

Thanks for the great video! I enjoy the work that you turn out. Keep up the good work and stay safe.

[@TrevorStruthers]

Thanks, you too!

[@tonymckeage1028]

Great Video Trevor, your story is the story of all Agriculture, Agri Economics change, and land use changes I enjoy your videos, thanks for sharing

[@TrevorStruthers]

Thanks for that, Tony! Yeah i just got lectured about the cost of combines and told what an older combine is about 5 minutes ago in another comment in another video. I almost sent him to this one, but instead deleted his comment. Never yours though Tony! Have a good one!

[@tonymckeage1028]

@@TrevorStruthers Combines cost a lot because there's heaps of R & D goes into them, they also wear out and need "in paddock" service support. There's always haters who grumble because they are not rich enough to "play"

[@steigerpower]

Hi Trevor, Happy New Year to you and all your team, thanks for your latest video as it does looks rather chilly weather what a contrast to our warm high humidity summer conditions here. Warm regards, Bill.

[@TrevorStruthers]

Yeah, we are getting down to around 0 tonight, even today if you count the windchill! Very different from the summers, though they tend to be pretty dry here for the most part. Thank you Bill.

[@user-dg4zv5fx4i]

Good vedios hope you can do more God bless ya'll Clarence Cloninger Oppelo Arkansas

[@TrevorStruthers]

Thank you for the comment Clarence! More to come for sure!

[@jimbanducci7601]

Thank you for the videos. I live near Boise but really enjoy coming up and seeing the Palouse country and where you are farming. Enjoy watching your videos. Have a good day and a good year!

[@TrevorStruthers]

Glad you like them! Thank you for your comment. You have a good one as well.

[@francescoviale4683]

Ok Trevor good 😉

[@stanuphoff3615]

Great video, my pucker factor off the charts in that combine. Someone would have to hold my beer!

[@TrevorStruthers]

lol.

[@williskinder7794]

Trevor thanks for shots of home , Happy New Year your thoughts are touching for us that grow up in that country. 😊😊

[@TrevorStruthers]

Yeah, I love it here and always missed it when I was gone. Thanks for the comment!

[@francescoviale4683]

Hello Trevor, PRT 2 👍👋👋🤝🇮🇹

[@TrevorStruthers]

I did make another video where I had the drone follow my car, I will start working on that one! It is so cold this weekend that I do not want to put the drone outside.

[@francescoviale4683]

Ok Trevor good 😉

[@southtexashay777]

Brother, have a blessed new year.

[@TrevorStruthers]

Same to you! Thank you.

[@davedunn2124]

How neat. Ive watched i think every video youve made and following along i knew alot of what you said but this is great knowledge

[@TrevorStruthers]

Awesome, thank you! That is good to know that people like you are following along with the videos. Once we get back in the field, the videos are bound to be pretty epic now. I just want to be able to show how steep this stuff is and I believe with a drone it can be done.

[@rustyoldmicrofarm4673]

Thanks Trevor! I was wondering if the combines had tracks, if they would not slide as much, or, if the tracks themselves would break, lol

[@TrevorStruthers]

CASE had a guy who farms soft and steep stuff use one two years ago out here. It coudn't go places that our combines with tires could go. I think those are meant for the flatland for now.

[@jamesberg3106]

Good job Trevor

[@TrevorStruthers]

Thanks James!

[@AK-FS]

Thank you for the video - those are some beautiful hills, and they always do something to the soul whenever I have opportunity to come through the Palouse region. You are fortunate to live and work there. 😉 A couple questions: (1) In one of your earlier videos, perhaps in a couple of them, you made reference to an area of the Skyrockets called "the wall," on account of how steep it is. I don't think you guys farm it, but I've been curious about it ever since you mentioned it. I don't mean to ask for something you're not willing to do, but if you ever have a free moment and could show drone/video footage of "the wall," I'm sure I'm not the only one that would love to see it! 🙂 (2) I once knew a farmer near Dufur, Oregon who expressed frustration with what had happened to the combine leveling market. He was part of a farm that had a couple 1470 IHs and one 1670 IH (full hillside machines, levelling up to 48%), but he saw the day rapidly approaching where these would be replaced with technology that wasn't quite as effective at levelling. He described the Hillco technology as "Mickey Mouse levellers," and wished a company still made the 'full' hillside levellers (ie, at least north of 40% levelling). I think there was a company called Rahco back in the day that made those, but I'm not sure where they went. Is Hillco the only company that now makes levelling systems? The last I looked, the maximum levelling available on Hillco was 27%, and on the hills you're cutting, it's just not enough. The price tag of combines has grown enormous, like you observed, but it sure seems like there'd be a large enough market out there (and not just for the Palouse) for a company to do full hillsides, but what what do I know? Sure would be nice if they just did this in the factory, rather than having it be an after-market thing. (3) You mentioned one problem was lack of parts for the old machines. Are there fabrication shops that could make these parts, and thereby enable farmers to continue using the older machines longer? I'm assuming the warranties on these old machines are long past, so I would think 3rd party parts wouldn't impact things like that. I remember seeing a website of a fab shop back in the day that advertised some parts for hillsides. But maybe it's just too dangerous if the entire machine has metal fatigue or is worn out in other ways where it's just not cost effective to continue using it, even with parts... (4) Do the combines you use have self-levelling sieves? I was curious how much that helped. If you can get 27% levelling on the ground, and another few percent in self-levelling sieves, maybe you get close to the 'full' hillside model... but even that may still not be enough with the kinds of hills you roam around on. Thank you again for the video showcasing this beautiful area of the planet. You're doing an amazing job with them, and every minute of them is a treat. Thank you!

[@TrevorStruthers]

1. The Wall is farmed by the Erwins up on Smith Springs Road, North and east of Prescott deep in the Skyrockets. It was fallow last year but this year it will be harvested. I hear they disk a line below the combine so that it cant slide very far if it does. I'll get the video of that hill for you guys and if everything works out right, get the footage with the drone of them cutting it. 2. Yeah, Hillco leveling systems are a joke compared to the older versions and I do not believe there is an alternative. A person could try to compete with them, but most people don't need leveling systems to do much more than they already do. We are the outliers, along with those in some places in Oregon as well. We seed places that I am not sure we will be able to be cut if the ground doesn't harden up. 3. There are people who do fabrication around here, Hi Mark comes to mind in Waitsburg WA, but they focus mostly on new John Deere. Few people run the older machines anymore and they mostly part out old ones instead of making new parts. Not sure if anyone makes them anymore outside of a special order of some sort. 4. I watched a video that all the new CASE 9 series models have some leveling of their sieves, even the flat land ones. So we are most likely just tipping the machine and the sieves are flat and doing fine. Problem is that our weight is hanging over the tires and the center of gravity wants to drag you down more when the whole machine doesn't level. Thank you for your kind words. I shortened this video up because I ran out of music and things to say. I'll figure out some AI drone sounds or something to play over the top of the footage with no audio. I will keep them coming for.

[@AK-FS]

@@TrevorStruthersThank you, Trevor.

[@stevenschreiber8934]

I know this farmer of whom you speak. Google "kirby and the hillside of doom". It will send you to a 2007 thread he started on The Combine Forum. He goes by 98j. The thread still has some of pictures of the 1670 on some steep hills.

[@AK-FS]

@@TrevorStruthers Is this the approximate location of 'the wall?' 46°22'51"N 118°14'43"W

[@manuelv.alonsoh.9985]

Feliz año nuevo Trevor!!! yo ya te dije que tengo 74 años y te sigo desde Zaragoza (Aragon) España, y prometo seguirte siempre, mi deseo es que seas muy feliz. saludos, Manuel

[@TrevorStruthers]

Gracias Manuel, eso es increíble. Feliz Año Nuevo

[@farminginbrazil]

Hii Buddy! Your hills is harder than our hills here in our lands in brazil. In my point of view combine in those spots always is a challenge.

[@TrevorStruthers]

Hey Bob! Yeah, combining the hills with no HillCo leveling like you do can challenging as well! I am glad you stopped by and are making combine videos right now!

[@ronchappel4812]

Thanks for the geography lesson.If i see pictures or videos of a place i almost feel like i've visited! Oddly this doesnt work if i see tourist images.Maybe my brain automatically rejects them as unrealistic?😅

[@TrevorStruthers]

I think this is pretty representative of how hilly and steep some of the stuff is out here. This one and the one I just made kinda give you an idea that they are basically small scale mountains or something. lol.

[@ronchappel4812]

It's an interesting way to farm! There's nothing like this in australia. I've driven tractors and dozers on steep land but seeing a giant combine harvester sliding sideways down a hill looks terrifying @@TrevorStruthers

[@kevinmeyer3884]

Good job on the video Trevor!

[@TrevorStruthers]

Thank you for watching and commenting Kevin! I truly appreciate it.

[@chadtosh6831]

Looks like lots of good sledding hills. I’m glad my farm is fairly flat. lol 😆

[@TrevorStruthers]

If we got the 10 inches forecasted, my twin sister was going to go skiing down the hills. We only got two inches though and all that does is cover up the dirt from sight. Not enough snow for sledding with the ground froze up. My dads got a lot of flat stuff, it sure does make it simpler farming.

[@glemvar]

👍👍👍

[@mentholman3201]

👊🏻💪🏻 Heck yea brother!!

[@TrevorStruthers]

Beck yea

[@robertbradley6719]

Another Epic Vid Brother

[@TrevorStruthers]

Thank you Robert!

[@christianhollauer881]

You need to build a closed hall for your combines and machines.

[@TrevorStruthers]

Its a parts pile essentially that has been bought from the people whos place that is. They come and get parts off them. Theres tons of 1470s and 1460: laying around out here

[@christianhollauer881]

@@TrevorStruthers I mean the open housing for the active combines.

[@TrevorStruthers]

@@christianhollauer881 my dad has 10s of thousands of inside square footage. He has literally nothing outside.

[@TrevorStruthers]

@@christianhollauer881 i dont work there or have anything to do with either of those things tho. Im at a new place and we are working on getting everything inside dpace

[@daylightcaper812]

thanks for your reply, Did the canola work meet your expectations, the Australians have done well in the very recent times with Treudeu adding demand pressure for biofuels and Ukraine at war. Australia had it's largest ever canola crop and I believe the bulk of it has been exported all over the world. You said something about fuel and fert prices, a change of Govt should solve some of that, on you tube some of the Canadian combines have trump flags waving. Good luck its like the the whole world needs luck at the moment, cheers.

[@TrevorStruthers]

Money was definitely made on the canola. It all had to be trucked about 70 miles to Clarkston WA where they have storage for it. Not much is grown around here, so there arent many elevators for it. I didn't think about there being trump supporters in Canada, but i havent met a farmer that didn't like it better when Trump was president.

[@daylightcaper812]

cheers@@TrevorStruthers

[@cehaeg]

How much acers do you farm!

[@TrevorStruthers]

13,000 acres or about 20 square miles.

[@TrevorStruthers]

That is about what most of the other farmers around here have as well. Somewhere around 10,000 acres.

[@sebastianmocarski8050]

❤👍👍🇵🇱

[@daylightcaper812]

good morning, Are any of your neighbours using direct drilling or no till farming??. cheers

[@TrevorStruthers]

Mostly everyone has switched to No-Till, there are some fields we do conventional farm after peas, but not much. A lot of farmers are holding onto their deep furrow drills, but they're not using them. When the chemicals stop being effective because of resistance to them...we will see conventional come back.

[@dionbrandt6176]

How bad is the erosion on these side hills?

[@TrevorStruthers]

Before no till, bad. It is a very fine silty soil that water runs down and not into if there is too much of it. We can get feet deep ditches if the ground is beat up too much on the hillsides. I've seen a lot of dirt washed onto flats before out in this area.

[@CaleHaeg-fq5op]

Hi I have a question, are you going to go the Spokane Ag show February 6-8?

[@TrevorStruthers]

Yeah we are planning on being up there for some of it. You going?

[@CaleHaeg-fq5op]

@@TrevorStruthers Yes I am. I am Making a 1/64 scale farm display for the Wilbur Ellis booth and I have done that for the past few years.

[@TrevorStruthers]

@@CaleHaeg-fq5op Ahhh, nice! I have been getting recommended the 1/64th size tractor videos a lot lately. I will find you when i am there.

[@CaleHaeg-fq5op]

That would be cool. We look forward to seeing you again. We met you at the Palouse plowing bee.

[@TrevorStruthers]

I just went by and got a video of it. Thats super well done and cool.

[@koonsexcavatingllc]

Does your family still farm

[@TrevorStruthers]

My family farm has some "personal family issues" that doesn't allow it to function as a family farm. I sold and now work for the neighbors, rather than being in business with the old man.

[@charlestibbey2666]

Thanks again Trevor. Do you ever find evidence of Native American population, or artifacts of any kind up there?

[@TrevorStruthers]

Not that i know of. I found a shell gas station sign where there once was a gas station some 50 years ago. I know thats not what you meant but other than old glass jugs, not many historical artifacts out here.

[@Wileybird03]

Got an ol bone yard there

[@TrevorStruthers]

The guys up in the skyrockeys use 1470s still. These are parts for their fleet of them. Theres a few other bone yards they have. Theyre about picked through though

[@christianhollauer881]

Are you an active farmer?

[@TrevorStruthers]

My dad works his own land without me. My family has been farming the same valley here for over 130 years. I am a hired hand now. My boss just died so im at a new place.

[@christianhollauer881]

@@TrevorStruthers So you are an employee in a company, not farmer, right?

[@TrevorStruthers]

Explain to me how i am not a farmer.

[@TrevorStruthers]

I no longer own my own farm, but that wasn’t my decision. If you are saying my dad could take who i am away from me by kicking me off hid farm and tearing down my house, you are mistaken. I am the 5th generation of an active farming family.

[@TrevorStruthers]

Mr. Hollauer, if you wanna email me its [e-mail] and i can give you my farming bona fides

[@tiffrosestruthers4372]

You don’t sound southern, not even kinda! Lol

[@TrevorStruthers]

Sometimes I do!

[@TrevorStruthers]

That's because I work on my accent to sound like I am from Seattle.