Four members of Washington’s congressional delegation have sent a letter to the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) questioning how the U.S. government plans to finance the commitments outlined in the lower Snake River dams settlement agreement, which was released last month. The letter was sent by Reps. Kim Schrier, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, and Dan Newhouse. “Some language ... Read More »

By Michelle Hennings Executive Director, Washington Association of Wheat Growers Boy, does time fly by.  I can’t believe it’s already time for my executive director column. The past six months have been busy with travel, meetings, and working many issues. We’ve done farm bill fly-ins to Washington, D.C.; participated in multiple workgroups and a Food for Peace event; organized a ... Read More »

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service Washington experienced warmer than average temperatures across the state. Accumulated precipitation varied from below average in western Washington to slightly above average in Eastern Washington. Skagit County has had a mild winter to date, and winter crops looked good. Whatcom County was drier than normal. Klickitat and Yakima counties were warmer than normal with ... Read More »

Agricultural producers can now enroll in the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2024 crop year. Producers can enroll and make election changes for the 2024 crop year through March 15, 2024.  On Nov. 16, 2023, President Biden signed into law H.R. 6363, the Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions ... Read More »

From the Capital Press A geopolitical analyst’s message to farmers for 2024: “Hire and borrow, hire and borrow, hire and borrow.” “We are in the cheapest and most abundant labor environment we are going to see for 22 years, and the cheapest capital we’re going to see for 12,” said Peter Zeihan, author of several books, including “The Accidental Superpower,” ... Read More »

Agricultural producers can now enroll in the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2024 crop year. Producers can enroll and make election changes for the 2024 crop year starting through March 15, 2024. On Nov. 16, 2023, President Biden signed into law H.R. 6363, the Further Continuing Appropriations and Other ... Read More »

The Washington Association of Wheat Growers has spearheaded a letter to Washington Gov. Jay Inslee expressing concern that his administration has been privately engaging with the U.S. government and excluding agricultural stakeholders who would be directly impacted by significant changes to the river system. “Now that the ‘package of actions and commitments’ has been daylighted, our organizations are frustrated that ... Read More »

Last month, Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) leaders took part in the National Association of Wheat Growers’ (NAWG) annual fall conference in Cincinnati. WAWG leaders sit on many of NAWG’s committees, including Operations and Planning, Budget, Environment and Research, Domestic Trade and Policy, and a special climate and sustainability committee.  Michelle Hennings, WAWG’s executive director, said much of the ... Read More »

From the Center Square Expanding domestic market access and promoting exports of American farm products are among the provisions being endorsed by U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., as Congress considers reauthorization of the nationwide Farm Bill. “Trade continues to be critical for American farmers and ranchers, and American agricultural products are a key part of the global food supply,” Newhouse ... Read More »

From the Capital Press Farmers usually have one main question for economist Randy Fortenbery. “They always want to know when the price is going to be better, and there’s not always a good answer for that,” Fortenbery said. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »