From NAWG This week, Congress is working to pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) spending package to fund the government through April 28, 2017. As of this writing, the House has passed it, and a Senate vote is expected today or tomorrow. The National Association of Wheat Growers and the Washington Association of Wheat Growers is pleased to see that Congress has allocated resources ... Read More »

By Diana Carlen WAWG Lobbyist Recently, the Washington State Supreme Court issued a controversial water decision involving the use of permit-exempt wells in rural areas, effectively limiting rural development in the state. The decision is known as the Hirst case and stems from a challenge brought by the environmental group Futurewise who argued that Whatcom County’s comprehensive plan failed to ... Read More »

By Diana Carlen WAWG Lobbyist Once again, the issue of breaching the Snake River dams is back on the table. On Sept. 30, 2016, the federal government announced more than a dozen public hearings on the scoping process for a new Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for 14 dams in the Columbia River Basin. The 14 dams within the Columbia River ... Read More »

From the Capital Press The Washington Supreme Court’s ruling in Whatcom County vs. Hirst could shut down rural homebuilding statewide, a lobbyist for farm groups and other water users said Thursday at a House hearing. “The more I listen to people discuss the Hirst case, the more convinced I am that there will be no growth in the rural area ... Read More »

From NAWG In a statement published Dec. 1, 2016, it was announced that, after a thorough examination regarding the genetically engineered (GE) wheat detection in Washington state, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has closed its fact finding. The agency also said it found no evidence of GE wheat in commerce. NAWG and ... Read More »

From the Capital Press Ag industry representatives say they’re as ready as possible for an upcoming 14-week closure of the Columbia/Snake river system that carries their goods overseas. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is closing the river from Dec. 12 through March 20. The extended closure allows the corps to make repairs at six dams on the river system, ... Read More »

From the Capital Press Washington Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers is one of several new leaders on President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team. She was named a vice chair Nov. 29. “The American people sent a message with this election: It is time to shake up the status quo,” McMorris Rodgers said in a statement. “I’m proud to work alongside Donald Trump ... Read More »

From smallgrains.wsu.edu Washington State University breeds cereals for diverse climates in Washington, with a focus on locally important resistance traits and high standards while training the next generation of plant breeders. The cereal breeding industry is changing rapidly. Public breeding programs need adequate financial resources to remain viable. For the past four years, WSU wheat and barley research has been ... Read More »

Back in September, the wheat industry organizations from Washington, Oregon and Idaho sent a letter to Brandon Willis, administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (RMA), asking the agency to waive rules that require elevators to report falling number discounts that will be used against a producer’s yield, especially when no crop insurance claim is being filed. On ... Read More »

With recent scoping meetings on the Columbia River operating systems, Washington Association of Wheat (WAWG) growers have shown their support by submitting letters to the editor to various newspapers. The following was submitted by Bob Walli, Adams County wheat grower and WAWG board member. Dear Editor, With the renewed interest in the Columbia River Operating System, this is a great opportunity ... Read More »