Author Archives: Trista Crossley

USDA to survey PNW farm chemical use, production costs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will gather information about production practices from producers across the Northwest Region as part of the 2022 Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS). “ARMS is a vital survey that tracks how Idaho, Oregon and Washington farms use technology to manage production,” said NASS Northwest Regional Deputy Director Dennis Koong. “The ... Read More »

Growers bring taste of Washington to D.C.

For the past few days, wheat industry representatives have been in Washington, D.C., to take part in the annual Taste of Washington fly-in with Washington State University, the Washington State Department of Agriculture, and other commodity groups. The Taste of Washington event spotlights Washington-grown products and promotes Washington agriculture to members of Congress. As part of that trip, wheat growers met ... Read More »

NAWG president testifies in House Agriculture Committee’s farm bill hearing

Recently, National Association of Wheat Growers president and Washington state wheat grower, Nicole Berg, testified in front of the Conservation and Forestry Subcommittee of the House Agriculture Committee, A 2022 Review of the Farm Bill: Stakeholder Perspectives on Title II Conservation Programs. Berg highlighted how the farm bill voluntary conservation programs are significant in terms of environmental benefits and assistance ... Read More »

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 »