From farmpolicynews.illinois.edu AgWeek’s Noah Fish reported that “the U.S. Department of Agriculture already has obligated more than $6 billion in payments under its new Farmer Bridge Assistance program just days after enrollment opened.” “The program, intended to help farmers facing tight margins and weak commodity prices for the 2025 crop year, has drawn strong early participation from producers across the ... Read More »

By Diana Carlen WAWG Lobbyist With less than a week remaining in the 60-day session as of March 7, the 2026 legislative session enters the home stretch. The Legislature reached two major milestones this past week. The first was March 2, the last day to pass opposite chamber bills from House fiscal committees and Senate Ways & Means and Transportation ... Read More »

By Dr. Xianming Chen USDA-ARS Research Plant Pathologist Wheat stripe rust is forecasted to be in the upper range of severe epidemic (40-60% yield losses on susceptible varieties) in the 2026 growing season for the eastern Pacific Northwest, based on the predication models using the weather data from November 2025 to February 2026. The models predict highly susceptible varieties to have 55.8% yield ... Read More »

Part 3 of 4 – Arlington, OR to Cascade Locks, OR On day three, we travel through the tallest navigation lock in the western hemisphere, sail over the historic site of Celilo Falls, learn about the Long Narrows of the Columbia, and pick up a fourth grain barge while parallel parking at 650 ft long tow! Read More »

On March 5, the House Committee on Agriculture passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567) with a vote of 34-17. In response, National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) President and Idaho farmer Jamie Kress made the following statement: “NAWG thanks Chairman Thompson for his leadership in moving the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of ... Read More »

Part 2 of 4 – Lyons Ferry, WA to Arlington, OR On day two, we see Lower Monumental Dam, Ice Harbor Dam, and the legendary Wallula Gap on the Columbia River. As the sun goes down, we pass through McNary Dam and enter the Columbia River Gorge to see the stars over the 75-mile-long John Day cruise! Read More »

By Diana Carlen WAWG Lobbyist Washington State legislators have completed their seventh week of work in Olympia as of Feb. 28. There are less than two weeks remaining in the legislative session. The Legislature passed a major cutoff Feb. 25, the last day to pass policy bills from the opposite chamber out of policy committees. The next major cutoff is ... Read More »

From PNW Ag Network When it comes to addressing the concerns of Washington’s farmers and ranchers, Olympia has not always moved quickly, or sometimes at all.  But, during a recent trip to the state capital, Michelle Hennings, Executive Director of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers said she had the opportunity to speak before several committees and groups about the challenges facing farm country. Read the rest ... Read More »

The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) welcomed its new officer team on Feb. 27 at the 2026 Commodity Classic in San Atonio, Texas. These officers will begin their one-year terms, continuing NAWG’s mission to promote the needs of our nation’s wheat growers. Jamie Kress of Idaho will serve as president, Nathan Keane of Montana will serve as vice president, ... Read More »

From the Capital Press U.S. District Court Judge Michael Simon has mostly agreed to plaintiffs’ requests to increase spill over dams and lower reservoir levels on the Columbia and Snake rivers, in an injunction issued Feb. 25 in Oregon District Court. Stakeholders say the order will further hamper navigation on the rivers, but somewhat tempers impacts to power users and ... Read More »