Author Archives: Trista Crossley

Crop progress report 09/29/25

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, there were 6.9 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week. Washington crop progress: Winter wheat planted: 68% this week 58% last week 69% last year 64% 5-year average Winter wheat emerged: 40% this week 30% last week 36% last year 32% 5-year average Read More »

Fertilizer woes cloud new crop outlook as farmers mull cutbacks

From Successful Farming Surging costs for key crop nutrients that growers need could spur sharp cutbacks in fertilizer use. Prices are climbing for phosphate, crucial for plant growth, amid fear that an already difficult farm economy may be poised to worsen into a full-blown crisis. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

Schrier, Newhouse roll out legislation promoting conservation programs

From the Pacific Northwest Ag Network Last week, Washington representatives Kim Schrier and Dan Newhouse introduced the Eliminating Needless Administrative Barriers Lessening Efficiency for Conservation Act, better known as the ENABLE Conservation Act.  They say this bi-partisan legislation will allow more farmers to participate in voluntary conservation programs. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

Seasonal climate outlook promising for drought-hit Northwest

From the Capital Press Washington and parts of Oregon and Idaho should receive above-normal amounts of rain in October through December, bringing relief to drought-stricken areas, according to the National Weather Service’s seasonal forecast. A La Nina is expected to move the Pacific jet stream northward, picking up moisture in the North Pacific before sliding south into the Northwest, the ... Read More »

Crop progress report 09/22/25

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, there were 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week. Washington crop progress: Winter wheat planted: 58% this week 50% last week 52% last year 52% 5-year average Winter wheat emerged: 30% this week 13% last week 20% last year 17% 5-year average Spring wheat harvested: 98% this week 97% last week ... Read More »

Opinion: WA farms face plenty of pressure, and state regulations are part of it

By Mark Schoesler Special to The Seattle Times As a longtime farmer, I fear more farmers in our state will be forced to leave this traditional and important way of life behind. Washington has seen a steady decrease in the number of farms. As a recent Seattle Times story noted (“3,700 WA farms shut down in 5 years. Why?,”) nearly 4,000 farms ... Read More »

Crop progress report 09/15/25

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, there were 6.9 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week. Washington crop progress: Winter wheat planted: 50% this week 40% last week 42% last year 42% 5-year average Spring wheat harvested: 97% this week 95% last week 99% last year 95% 5-year average xBarley harvested: 98% this week 96% last week 100% ... Read More »

Dam advocates respond to groups’ bid to lift salmon litigation pause

From the Capital Press Dam advocates anticipated environmental and recreation groups’ new motion asking a U.S. District Court judge in Oregon to lift a pause on litigation over endangered salmon and steelhead, the latest in the ongoing controversy surrounding the four lower Snake River dams. “I think this was predictable, obviously, once (President Trump) undid the Biden administration’s secret deal,” ... Read More »

Commentary: Rising farm costs are eroding hope in agriculture

From The Chronicle The saying is, “Agriculture is a profession of hope.” But hope in the farm community is waning. Or so says the monthly report from the Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture. The Purdue/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer’s August results were released earlier this week, painting a dichotomous picture in farming. With the national cattle herd the smallest it ... Read More »

Study: Everyday grain foods rank high for health

From world-grain.com A combination of grain foods, including many everyday options, can support better nutrition and metabolic health when they deliver on nutrient density, according to a new study conducted by researchers at the Center for Public Health Nutrition at the University of Washington. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »