From the Capital Press A stay in long-running litigation over the Snake River dams has been extended for 60 days to allow federal mediation to continue, but ag and electrical utility stakeholders say they’re losing faith in the process. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service There were 5.8 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, down from 6.9 days reported the previous week. It remained dry in western Washington. Nonirrigated grass forage production was down in this region, along with corn and grains. Pumpkins appeared to be maturing too early for agritourism. The quality of berries, flowers, and fresh market ... Read More »

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service There were 6.9 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, up from 6.4 days reported the previous week. Western Washington continued to see dry conditions. Grains were almost ready for harvest in San Juan County. Central Washington remained dry but saw temperatures drop. In Klickitat County, spring wheat harvest was almost halfway complete, and fall ... Read More »

From the Capital Press Northwest stakeholders say they’ve been shut out of the federal mediation sessions over the Snake River dams. “We are not being informed about anything that’s happening in the mediation,” said Kurt Miller, executive director of Northwest RiverPartners, an association that advocates for hydropower. “In the process, there hasn’t been any mediation that’s involved us.” Read the ... Read More »

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service There were 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, down from 6.6 days reported the previous week. Western Washington saw drought conditions spread. Producers reported “dustbowl-like” conditions, with farmers avoiding working in fields due to the dust. Some wells began drying out in Whatcom County. Central Washington experienced more hot and dry weather. In ... Read More »

From the Washington Association of Wheat Growers and the Washington Grain Commission The Washington Grain Commission and the Washington Association of Wheat Growers joined a coalition of American agricultural producers, mariners and longshoremen, and state and federal officials on August 15 to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining American agricultural diplomacy around the world. The event showcased the departure ... Read More »

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service Based on July 1, 2023, conditions, production of winter wheat in Washington is forecast at 99.2 million bushels, up 1% from last month, but down 19% from last year. Harvested area, at 1.74 million acres, is down 60,000 acres from 2022. Yield is expected to be 57 bushels per acre, down 11 bushels from ... Read More »

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service There were 7 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, unchanged from the previous week. Western Washington reported dry conditions, with minimal rain not having a significant impact. Both corn and organic crops showed signs of stress. Central Washington experienced another dry and hot week. The Newell Fire was contained, with the final burned acreage ... Read More »

New study details the potential impacts of banning glyphosate A recent study concludes that the loss of glyphosate as a viable tool for agriculture would result in doubled input costs for farmers, increased soil erosion, increased carbon emissions, and increased costs for consumers. “We assess that if glyphosate were no longer available, markets would adapt through substitution and adjusted practices, ... Read More »

Last month, Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) leaders and staff joined more than a dozen Washington agricultural stakeholders on a trip to Washington, D.C., to celebrate the state’s incredible ag industry at the 4th annual Taste of Washington event. The group included representatives from the Washington State Department of Agriculture, Washington State University, the Washington Grain Commission, the Washington ... Read More »