Herbicide resistant weeds are a growing concern in the Pacific Northwest, the U.S. and globally. One of the key tactics in the fight against herbicide resistant weeds is to alternate or combine herbicides with different modes of action; however, it is often difficult for growers to know what active ingredient(s) are in the jug they just bought and what mechanism(s) or ... Read More »

From Washington State University  “Falling numbers” refers to a test for increased alpha amylase activity, an enzyme, which when present, can significantly reduce grain quality. The lower the number, the higher the enzyme activity, and thus the lower the quality. 1. What is the falling number test? What exactly does it measure and why is this important to the buyers ... Read More »

WAWG’s Executive Director Michelle Hennings talked to RFDTV yesterday morning about the double whammy being felt by producers who have low falling numbers and are getting dinged at the crop insurance level. “When producers go in to renew their crop insurance policy, whether they take a claim or not for falling numbers, they are still being docked for yield. Our question ... Read More »

From the Capital Press Washington State University will soon begin its nationwide search for the next dean of the College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences, a top university official says. “We expect this position to be highly desirable,” said Dan Bernardo, WSU provost and executive vice president. “What has gone on in Washington State over the last decade ... Read More »

From Agri-Pulse Net farm income is likely to be flat next year despite an increase in government payments but should improve somewhat in the following two years, according to a new analysis. The report by the University of Missouri’s Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) projects that net farm income will fall by more than $10 billion this year to $69.6 ... Read More »

From the Capital Press Stephen Van Vleet has received the 2016 Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents. The award is given to Cooperative Extension educators with more than 10 years of service who have exhibited excellence in their work. “It’s a nice honor because it’s an award that shows that you’re working with the growers ... Read More »

In an effort to alleviate a burden on wheat producers, the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) led the charge in requesting the Risk Management Agency (RMA) waive a reporting procedure when wheat farmers are hit with a low falling number discount at the elevator, regardless of whether or not a claim is filed. WAWG is disappointed that RMA has ... Read More »

Earlier this week, the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) submitted a letter to the Risk Management Agency (RMA) asking them to waive the reporting rules that require elevators to report falling number discounts. Those discounts are then applied to a producer’s actual production history, even when no claim is filed. In addition to WAWG, that letter was signed by the Idaho Grain Producers ... Read More »

From the Capital Press What’s Upstream has until Oct. 17 to answer allegations that the federally funded campaign for new limits on Washington agriculture should have registered as a grass-roots lobbying organization, a spokeswoman for the Washington Public Disclosure Commission said Tuesday. The PDC originally gave lead organizer Larry Wasserman, the Swinomish Indian tribe’s environmental policy director, one week to ... Read More »

As the Wheat Industry Leaders of Tomorrow (WILOT) Program is fast approaching, NAWG is seeking nominations by our state associations of potential leaders to enroll. This program is sponsored and produced annually by Monsanto in partnership with the National Wheat Foundation and is targeted at producers who want to take on a greater role of leadership becoming more involved in ... Read More »