From Fox News The Biden administration is quietly discussing a potentially far-reaching settlement with environmental groups that advocate for tearing down four hydroelectric dams in Washington to protect salmon. Federal attorneys representing the government said it had “developed a package of actions and commitments” and agreed to pause litigation with environmental activist plaintiffs in the case, according to court documents ... Read More »

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service There were 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, up from 3.6 days reported the previous week. Western Washington remained cooler than normal compared to the rest of the state. Central Washington was warmer than usual at this time of year. In Yakima County, farmers were back in the fields and planted acreage they ... Read More »

How does expired legislation potential shutdown impact farmer programs? By Trista Crossley Editor, Wheat Life Producers are facing two financial uncertainties going into the end of 2023 that could have huge impacts on the agricultural industry.  On Sept. 30, the 2018 Farm Bill expired with no sign of new legislation to replace it. Congress is also facing a funding deadline ... Read More »

Two high school seniors have been selected to represent Washington wheat farmers and will serve as the Washington Wheat Ambassadors for the upcoming year. Samantha Holling of Fairfield and Izabella Myers of Latah were selected after an initial written application process that included submitting a short introductory video. Holling and Myers will each be giving a speech at the upcoming ... Read More »

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service There were 4.1 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, down from 5 days recorded the previous week. Western Washington had a decent amount of rainfall. Producers were not able to do much in the fields because of the conditions. Central Washington also had a wet week. Cattle were still out on pasture for the ... Read More »

From the Capital Press The Environmental Protection Agency’s proposals to fundamentally change U.S. pesticide regulations are likely to be challenged in court, according to observers. The EPA’s herbicide strategy and vulnerable species pilot project propose broad-based limits on pesticide use without new scientific studies to support the additional restrictions. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

Last month, Michelle Hennings, executive director of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers, was invited to attend the Council of State Governments West (CSG West) Legislative Council on River Governance in Whitefish, Mont., where she heard an update on the Columbia River Treaty from U.S. negotiator Jill Smail and Stephen Glock, a negotiator from the Canadian team. Hennings said Smail ... Read More »

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service The value of Washington’s 2022 agricultural production totaled $12.8 billion, shattering the previous record high of $10.4 billion in 2015 and up 27% from the revised previous year value of $10.1 billion. The value of Washington’s crop production in 2022 was $8.60 billion, up 22% from 2021. The value of livestock production in 2022 ... Read More »

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service There were 5 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, down from 6.4 days reported the previous week. Western Washington reported fall-planted crops looked strong due to the increased rain. Spring-planted crops finished harvest. Shellfish producers moved out of their planting season and into their harvesting season. Central Washington saw the seasons change, and cold ... Read More »

From the Capital Press The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture has called on the Environmental Protection Agency to answer critics before forging ahead with new herbicide regulations. States were not involved in drafting the EPA’s “herbicide strategy, but would be responsible for carrying it out. The strategy is “unreasonably complex” and enforcing it is “inconceivable,” according to the ... Read More »