Author Archives: Trista Crossley

Crop progress report 09/18:  Grain Harvest Nearly Completed Throughout Washington 

From NASS There were 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, unchanged from the previous week. Statewide temperatures were below normal throughout Washington. In central Washington, grain harvest was nearly completed. In Chelan County, spotty showers were present, with heavy precipitation in some areas. Some acres of winter wheat were replanted due to soil crusting. Wheat that was planted one ... Read More »

Agriculture welcomes tentative rail agreement

From the Capital Press The nation’s agriculture industry breathed a sigh of relief after railroads and labor unions reached a tentative contract and averted a rail strike — just one day before the deadline. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

Wheat Marketing Center: Making the best of a good crop for overseas customers

From the Capital Press The most exciting news about this year’s wheat crop is there is no exciting news, the Wheat Marketing Center’s executive director says. Protein levels, kernel weights, test weights, falling numbers, ash and other characteristics are all consistent with five-year averages. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

Wheat growers applaud rail agreement

From the National Association of Wheat Growers and U.S. Wheat Associates The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) and U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) applaud the tentative agreement reached between the railroads and rail union representatives that averts a rail shutdown ahead of Friday’s deadline. The agreement provides rail employees a 24 percent wage increase during the five-year period between 2020 ... Read More »

KayDee Gilkey joins wheat growers team

The Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) is proud to announce the hiring of long-time agricultural advocate, KayDee Gilkey, as their new outreach coordinator. Gilkey will be a familiar face to many wheat growers as she’s been involved with industry groups for years, most recently as director of industry relations with the Washington State Beef Commission. Before that, she worked ... Read More »

Crop progress report 09/11: Hot, dry, smoky conditions present throughout Washington

From NASS There were 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, down from 7 days the previous week. Statewide temperatures were above normal throughout Washington. In Western Washington, conditions remained extremely dry. Harvest continued for late variety blueberries and apples. Seed crops were prepared for harvest. In central Washington, morning dews began. Apple and pear harvests were running a couple ... Read More »

La Nina settling in for third straight winter

From the Capital Press Federal forecasters are nearly certain that a La Nina will prevail in early winter and think it will likely will stick around until early spring, raising prospects for ample snow in the Cascade Range. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

Ag Groups Comment on White House Hunger Conference

From the National Association of Wheat Growers On Sept. 8, twelve agricultural organizations sent a letter to President Biden requesting a seat at the table during the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. Since the White House launched the conference in early May, many in agriculture have participated in the listening session and provided public comments on the ... Read More »

WAWG responds to lower Snake River dams final report

Recommends wheat farmers maintain strong opposition to dam breaching. The Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) released the following statement in response to the findings of the final Lower Snake River Dams (LSRD) Benefit Replacement Report and the recommendations from Sen. Patty Murray and Gov. Jay Inslee: “The lower Snake River dams allow wheat farmers in Washington and across the ... Read More »

Crop progress report 09/04: Harvest continues with hot, dry conditions throughout Washington

From NASS There were 7 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, unchanged from the previous week. Statewide temperatures were above normal throughout Washington. In central Washington, it was another hot and dry week throughout the area. Harvest was wrapping up, and cattle were still on pasture. In Yakima County, vegetable growers packed tomatoes and peppers. Potatoes, onions, cucumbers, sweet corn, summer and winter squashes, eggplant, ... Read More »