A coalition of regional leaders calls on the federal government to withdraw its decision to initiate new environmental reviews of the Columbia and Snake River dams. The coalition contends that a new National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis would be both premature and unlawful, warning that it would be incomplete and could mislead the public about these dams’ vital role in ... Read More »

It wasn’t all fun and games at last month’s Tri-State Grain Growers Convention. Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) took the opportunity to discuss challenges facing the industry at both the state and national level and take care of association business. “The convention is a great opportunity to engage with members who might otherwise be unable to attend county or ... Read More »

From Farm Journal’s Ag Web As the ag industry prepares to flip the calendar and head into a new year, even experts and insiders have more questions than answers. The long-delayed farm bill and 45Z biofuels tax credit guidance have kept the industry in a frustrating limbo, while high interest rates and low commodity prices push it toward recession. Read ... Read More »

From the Capital Press A Seattle law firm leading state-funded talks has presented several more ideas to force farmers and other rural landowners to widen riparian buffers to shade and purify salmon-bearing waterways. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

From world-grain.com New tariffs on top US trade partners would make American agricultural goods harder to market abroad while simultaneously raising costs for farmers, food manufacturers and consumers, if recent threats made by President-elect Donald Trump come to fruition, according to agriculture industry groups. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

From the Capital Press August and September rains meant some diseases appeared sooner than usual, researchers at Washington State University’s plant diagnostic clinic say. Conditions were more conducive for fall establishment of stripe rust, eyespot and Cephalosporium stripe than in the past several years, clinic technicians said in their 2024 wrap-up and early 2025 outlook. Read the rest of the article ... Read More »

From Farm Policy News Progressive Farmer’s Chris Clayton reported Monday that “Congress returns this week facing a Dec. 20 deadline to approve a new funding resolution to keep the government operating, as well as potentially pass a disaster package and a farm-bill extension before wrapping up the year.” “Lawmakers will be negotiating the funding and provisions of a disaster aid ... Read More »

By Diana Carlen Lobbyist, Washington Association of Wheat Growers The recent election showed that while the country veered red, Washington state turned bluer. Democrats will continue to hold all statewide elected positions and have slightly expanded their majorities in the Legislature.  Governor. Washington’s current attorney general, Bob Ferguson, will be our new governor after defeating Republican former Congressman Dave Reichert. ... Read More »

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service There were 3 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, down from 4.6 days the previous week. Western Washington had fields that were too wet for field activities. Some cattle had already been brought in and fed, while livestock still on pasture were being heavily supplemented. In central Washington, significant rain was received, which made ... Read More »

The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) and U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) released the following statements in response to President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Brooke Rollins to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “Congratulations Brooke Rollins on her nomination to serve as our next Secretary of Agriculture. NAWG members look forward to working together to foster public ... Read More »