From smallgrains.wsu.edu As wheat harvest gets started in Washington, recent rainfall and cool temperatures have some growers worried about Mother Nature’s fickle ways with their crop.  Rainfall close to harvest can result in preharvest sprouting, which can negatively affect wheat quality. Dr. Camille Steber, USDA-ARS plant geneticist, explains the potential effects of recent rains on this year’s wheat crop and ... Read More »

From NAWG Yesterday, the House passed the GMO labeling agreement designed by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, by a vote of 306-117. The Senate passed the bill last Thursday by a vote of 63 to 30, advancing the agreement on to the House this week, and now the bill will be on the President’s ... Read More »

According to the NASS Crop Production Report released yesterday, winter wheat production is forecast at 1.63 billion bushels, up 8 percent from the June 1 forecast and up 19 percent from 2015. Based on July 1 conditions, the United States yield is forecast at a record high 53.9 bushels per acre, up 3.4 bushels from last month and up 11.4 bushels ... Read More »

Editor’s Note: The Washington Policy Center (WPC) is a nonprofit organization that researches relevant public policy issues and offers practical commonsense recommendations. A few months ago, Chris Cargill, the WPC’s Eastern Washington director, took a look at the state’s agricultural industry and the value it adds to Washington state in a white paper available on WPC’s website. By Chris Cargill Washington ... Read More »

From Agri-Pulse The Senate easily approved an historic compromise on GMO disclosure standards late Thursday, setting up final action in the House to shut down Vermont’s week-old labeling mandate. Industry groups are lobbying House leaders to allow a vote on the bill next week before lawmakers break for the national party conventions and their August recess. A House vote is needed before ... Read More »

By Diana Carlen WAWG Lobbyist This November, Washington voters will decide whether Washington state will be the first state in the nation to enact a carbon tax. The proposal, known as Initiative 732 (I-732), was drafted by a grassroots citizens group called Carbon Washington. I-732 imposes an initial $15 tax on carbon emissions from fossil fuels sold or used in ... Read More »

From NAWG Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow have released a long-awaited GMO labeling agreement. The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) applauds the bipartisan efforts to secure a national standard that preempts a state-by-state patchwork, thereby avoiding a conflict of regulatory laws between states. NAWG supports their proposed bill, which allows for a variety of ... Read More »

From the Capital Press Carbon tax proponents are calling attention to a Washington State University study that concluded Initiative 732 on the November ballot would slightly boost the state’s farm economy. The study, led by Gregmar Galinato of the WSU School of Economic Sciences, concludes that an increase in the cost of fuel and other goods would be more than ... Read More »

A meeting of the Spokane County Wheat Growers was held June 20 in Airway Heights. The main topic of discussion was the Hangman Creek watershed. Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) representatives were in attendance to gather producer input and maintain open dialogue in response to a current lawsuit and media attention. The Spokane Riverkeepers, an environmental group, has filed ... Read More »

From the National Association of Wheat Growers The U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Interior (DOI) yesterday announced more than $47 million in funding to help water districts and producers on private working lands better conserve water resources. The funds include $15 million in USDA funds and $32.6 million from the Bureau of Reclamation for local projects to improve water and energy efficiency ... Read More »