From the Gazette Des Moines Bureau The latest deadline for the farm bill passed unceremoniously at midnight, Sept. 30, without a push from lawmakers to pass a new farm bill or an extension. Congress will have to scramble in the lame-duck session set to begin Nov. 12 to come up with some agreement on the farm bill before benefits run ... Read More »

From the Capital Press The Kamala Harris campaign has a lengthy “issues” page on its website that never uses the word “agriculture.” The Republican Party platform posted on Donald Trump’s website doesn’t, either. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service There were 7 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, unchanged from the previous week. Western Washington received some rain, and temperatures were slowly cooling off. The weather slowed the drying of corn stalks, which delayed silage harvest. Yakima County had abnormally dry conditions for this time of year, and producers still had not seen ... Read More »

From the Capital Press Argentina-based Bioceres Crop Solutions will follow U.S. wheat industry biotech commercialization principles as it develops its genetically modified drought tolerance trait, a U.S. Wheat Associates official says. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

Compliance with highly erodible land (HELC) and wetland conservation (WC) provisions are a requirement for participation in Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs. FSA will be hosting a webinar to assist current and potential customers with understanding their responsibilities regarding highly erodible land and wetland conservation. This webinar will also provide insight into the process ... Read More »

The Washington Wheat Foundation (WWF) is preparing for its annual fundraising auction at the Tri-State Convention on Thursday, Nov. 21. The WWF is accepting donations of any kind from wheat growers. Funds raised from the auction support the WWF Ambassador Program, as well as foundation-funded research and project grants. Programs supported through grants include the Northwest Natural Resources Institute, Washington State ... Read More »

From the Capital Press A new federal study called the Pacific Northwest Regional Energy Planning Project will consider ways to replace the services of the lower Snake River dams as it weighs the region’s overall energy challenges. Read the rest of the article here. A link to DOE’s announcement is here. Read More »

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service There were 7 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, up from 6.7 days the previous week. Washington did not see much rain statewide. Western Washington had temperatures cooler than normal. Yakima County had dry conditions with no precipitation. Apple harvest continued with mid-season varieties filling up the packing house. Farmer’s markets sold a variety ... Read More »

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, seven Washington state counties suffered from a drought intensity value during the growing season of D2-Drought-Severe for eight or more consecutive weeks or D3-Drought-Extreme or D4-Drought-Exceptional. The primary counties eligible are Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas, Okanogan, Skagit, and Yakima counties The contiguous counties that are also eligible are Adams, Benton, Ferry, Franklin, Island, King, ... Read More »

From ABC News The water level of the Mississippi River is unusually low for the third straight year, forcing barge companies to put limits on how much cargo they can carry and cutting into farm profits. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »