By Xianming Chen Stripe rust in the Palouse region On May 30, I was checking wheat and barley fields in the Palouse region (Whitman County, Wash., and Latah County, Idaho). Winter wheat ranged from boot (Feekes 10) and heading (Feekes 10.5), and winter barley reached the flowering stage (Feekes 10.52). Spring wheat and barley ranged from early tillering (Feekes 2) ... Read More »

From the Capital Press The massive $1.5 trillion farm bill — the Farm, Food, and National Security Act — passed by the House Agriculture Committee is a lot to take in. But among its offerings are improvements to commodity support programs, increases to government loan limits to producers and additional funding for trade programs and agricultural research. Read the rest ... Read More »

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service There were 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, up from 5.3 days the previous week. Western Washington producers received rain that hindered fieldwork and planting. Early strawberries were affected by the weather conditions. Central Washington received some precipitation. Spring-seeded crops were up and looked good. In Yakima County, asparagus harvest continued, and more ... Read More »

From world-grain.com Russia, the world’s largest wheat exporter, is projected to export a record 53 million tonnes in the current marketing year, giving it a global market share of 26%, the highest in its history, according to the latest International Grains Council (IGC) Grain Market Report. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

From the National Association of Wheat Growers On May 23, the House Committee on Agriculture passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 (H.R. 8472) on a bipartisan vote of 33-21. In response, National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) President Keeff Felty made the following statement: “NAWG commends Chairman Thompson for moving the process forward and urges a bipartisan ... Read More »

The Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) joined with Pacific Northwest Waterways Association and the Washington Public Ports Association in a letter to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) regarding the transportation study on how to replace barging capabilities on the lower Snake River. The group contends the study fails to address the requirements laid out in the budget ... Read More »

From thehill.com The House Agriculture committee is trying to fund its farm bill proposals with “counterfeit money,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told reporters Wednesday morning. Vilsack spoke after a range of groups from across the political spectrum criticized House Republicans’ proposed farm bill, which seeks to direct tens of billions to subsidies for farmers of peanuts, rice and cotton. Read the rest ... Read More »

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service There were 5.3 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, down from 5.5 days the previous week. In western Washington, the weather was mild, and there was little rain. Central Washington had high winds that prevented any spraying from being completed. In Yakima County, there were reports of small brush fires throughout the Yakima Valley. ... Read More »

From agweb.com The sunset of the Trump Tax Cuts is around the corner and might be here before farmers are ready for it. The current lifetime estate and gift tax exemption is $13.61 million but will be cut in half beginning in 2026. This means most farmers have about 18 months to make some major estate decisions. See the rest ... Read More »

In April, the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) and over 30 agriculture organizations sent a letter to United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai urging enhanced engagement on trade policies to bolster our global competitive standing around the world. Recommitting to an aggressive trade agenda, holding parties accountable to commitments, and improving trade enforcement mechanisms are critical steps that need ... Read More »