From NASS There were 5.8 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week, down from 6.1 the previous week. Intermittent rainfall from a series of low pressure systems passed through the state and brought much needed rainfall. Crop producers wrapped up seeding spring grains and made good progress planting row crops ahead of the much needed rainfall. Along the coast, ... Read More »

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today applauded the announcement that agricultural producers, for the first time, are now eligible for the Small Business Administration (SBA)’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance programs. “America’s farmers, ranchers, and producers need the same help that other American businesses need during this unprecedented time,” said Secretary Perdue. “This significant new ... Read More »

From the National Association of Wheat Growers This year marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. On April 22, 2020, we celebrated our planet by highlighting what we can do to protect it. The theme for Earth Day 2020 is climate action. The enormous challenge of action on climate change has distinguished the issue as the most pressing topic for ... Read More »

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 »