U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer notified Congress last week that Canada and Mexico have taken measures necessary to comply with their commitments under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), and that the agreement will enter into force on July 1, 2020.  Following that notification to Congress, the U.S. became the third country to notify the other parties that it had completed its ... Read More »

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service Washington is estimated to have 2.22 million total acres planted to wheat in 2020, down 2 percent from last year. Winter wheat planted acres are expected to total 1.70 million acres for this year, down 3 percent from 2019. Spring wheat acres planted are estimated at 520,000 acres, up 2 percent from last year.  ... Read More »

From NASS There were 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week, down from 6.5 the previous week. In Western Washington, soil conditions improved, but most soils were too wet. The newly planted grass and grains were emerging well and looked good. Livestock were on pasture rotations. Fruit trees had very high levels of bloom. Caneberries came out with ... Read More »

It’s not only farmers who need to get on with the business of growing their crops during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many state and federal agencies that farmers rely on are also still doing business, albeit from a distance. We reached out to some of those agencies to find out what’s going on. Farm Service Agency (FSA). Like most U.S. Department ... Read More »

From the U.S. Department of Agriculture Producers signed a record 1.77 million contracts for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2019 crop year, which is more than 107 percent of the total contracts signed compared with a 5-year average. USDA also reminds producers that June 30 is the ... Read More »

By Dr. Xianming Chen Tuesday, I was checking wheat fields in Whitman, Adams, Lincoln, Grant and Douglas counties in Washington. Winter wheat ranged from Feekes 4 to 7. Minor frost damage on leaf tips was common in Whitman County, caused by freezing night temperatures of the last week. Stripe rust was found only in one commercial field in Lincoln County. ... Read More »

The next deadline for Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) classic applications to be considered for funding this fiscal year is May 29, 2020. Through CSP, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) helps farmers, ranchers and forest landowners earn payments for expanding conservation activities while maintaining agricultural production on their land. CSP also encourages adoption of new technologies and management techniques. “CSP ... Read More »

From the Capital Press Transportation advocates are backing a campaign to ensure information about the Columbia-Snake River system continues to reach Pacific Northwest residents and decision-makers. Read the article here. Read More »

From NASS There were 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week, unchanged from the previous week. In Western Washington, spring field cultivation and planting progressed well. Pastures looked good. Beef cattle were pastured and not being fed additional hay. There was excellent weather for field preparation. Some producers finished harrowing, and some anticipated starting to harrow this week. ... Read More »

Washington’s massive agriculture industry is critical to both the state’s economy and to the welfare of families across the country. Agriculture is one of the essential industries that continues to work even during Gov. Jay Inslee’s stay-at-home order to fight the coronavirus (COVID-19). Thousands of farm workers are on the job, and the season is just getting started. Many farmworkers ... Read More »