From the Capital Press Agriculture representatives say a recent study that calls for removing four dams from the Lower Snake River relies on outdated and flawed data. “They start with flawed information and a flawed premise,” said Kristin Meira, director of the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

From RMA The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds producers in Idaho, Oregon and Washington to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2020 crop year before the sales closing dates. Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing coverage also have until the sales closing dates to do so. Crop insurance is a ... Read More »

By Trista Crossley As the debate around breaching the lower Snake River dams continues, the Washington state agricultural industry brought more than 3 dozen state legislators and aides on a boat tour last week in an effort to demonstrate how important the dams are to the region’s economy. Legislators boarded the boat at the Port of Kennewick. While headed upstream ... Read More »

For the second year in a row, the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) joined with Washington State University (WSU), the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and other commodity groups to celebrate Washington state agriculture in the nation’s capital. The group visited with most members of the state’s Congressional delegation and then held a Taste of Washington reception that ... Read More »

From NASS There were 7.0 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week, up from 6.7 days suitable the previous week. In Clallam and Jefferson counties, hot temperatures and declining soil moisture pushed crops towards declining condition. Shallow-rooted crops and pastures showed the most stress. Corn and potato crops progressed, while most berry crops were harvested and farmers were harvesting ... Read More »

By Diana Carlen WAWG Lobbyist Since the Legislature adjourned at the end of April, we are in the time period known as interim where the focus has shifted to agency implementation of legislation, primarily taskforces and work groups established by the legislature. The Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) is actively engaged in the following work groups: Snake River Dams ... Read More »

The failure of Congress to approve the USMCA trade agreement with Mexico and Canada prior to the August recess jeopardizes trade with two of America’s most reliable customers as it threatens wheat shipments to our most important market. The Washington Grain Commission (WGC) and the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) urge Congress to schedule an expeditedvote on the important ... Read More »

From NASS There were 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week, down from 7.0 days suitable the previous week. Temperatures warmed up in Asotin and Garfield counties, which helped winter wheat finish maturing. Windy conditions were reported. In Douglas County, winter wheat harvest began and early yields were reported as average to above-average. Harvest was in full swing ... Read More »

From the Farm Service Agency Sign-ups are going on now through Aug. 23, 2019, for the following options under the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP): Contracts set to expire this fall, except for Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), can be extended one year to Sept. 30, 2020, provided the contract will be 14 years old or less on Sept. 30, 2019. ... Read More »

From the National Association of Wheat Growers On July 25, 2019, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced details of its latest $16 billion in aid to offset trade damages, including another round of market facilitation program (MFP) payments of $14.5 billion for farmers who are being impacted by the current trade war with China. Payment rates are set at a ... Read More »