Current Issues

Ecology published ag exempt fuel retail sellers directory

The Washington State Department of Ecology has created a new Agricultural Exempt Fuel Retail Sellers Directory, which can be found at Fuel Exemptions – Washington State Department of Ecology. On this webpage, you will also find guidance on: Which fuels are exempt, and How to register for the directory if you are a retail fuel seller. The page also includes an ... Read More »

The crisis amongst us: A call to reflection, responsibility, and renewal

By Andy Juris Klickitat County grower and Past President, Washington Association of Wheat Growers The hardship of the past Things were bad. So bad, that no one could remember a time when they weren’t. The price of wheat hit an all-time low, just 25 cents, barely half of what it cost to grow. Rain had failed for four straight years, ... Read More »

Future of ‘traditional’ farm bill is uncertain

By Michelle Hennings Executive Director, Washington Association of Wheat Growers Happy Harvesting. This time of year reminds us that anything is possible with dedication and perseverance, and we appreciate the beauty of nature, the joy of hard work, and the power of gratitude! The Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) has consistently advocated for a modernized farm bill. The current ... Read More »

Legislators keeping busy in interim

By Diana Carlen Lobbyist, Washington Association of Wheat Growers The 2025 Washington State Legislative Session may have wrapped up in April, but the work in Olympia continues. Interim activities are already shaping the policy and budget debates for the 2026 legislative session. The interim is busy filled with work groups, agency rulemaking, interim legislative committee meetings, and agency budget and ... Read More »

WAWG VP takes part in Modern Ag Alliance fly-in

Last week, Gil Crosby, vice president of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers and a wheat grower from Spokane County, took part in Washington, D.C., fly-in with the Modern Ag Alliance to emphasize the importance of crop protection tools in agriculture. “Crop protection tools play a critical role in our ability to raise a crop in an affordable, sustainable manner,” ... Read More »

WAWG hits the White House web page

The White House caught wind of WAWG Executive Director Michelle Henning’s statement yesterday about revoking the prior administration’s agreement on the Columbia River Basin and posted it to their website: Washington Association of Wheat Growers, Michelle Hennings, Executive Director: “The livelihood of Washington wheat growers and rural communities depends on their ability to utilize key benefits from the Columbia River ... Read More »

WAWG Statement on Presidential Memorandum to Protect Columbia River Basin Dams 

The Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) applauds today’s Presidential Memorandum revoking the Dec. 14, 2023, Memorandum of Understanding filed by the Biden administration.  “We appreciate the efforts of the Trump administration to ensure that the dams remain intact while protecting the integrity of the river system and salmon populations. Washington’s wheat industry relies on the continued operation of dams ... Read More »

Asotin growers award scholarship

The Asotin County wheat growers have awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Cooper Thomas, a senior at Asotin High School. Thomas is the son of Brian and Angie Thomas. Thomas is the vice president of his senior class. He is active in FFA and plays baseball. In his spare time, he likes to hunt and fish. He is planning a career ... Read More »

Cash crops, and their residues, are the best cover crops

By Andrew McGuire Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources Think about this. If a cash crop provides all the benefits of a cover crop and generates a profit, should we consider it a cover crop? The National Association of Wheat Growers thinks so. They are petitioning the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to issue a technical note recognizing winter wheat ... Read More »

Stripe rust update 05/21: Disease has been developing in Washington

From Dr. Xianming Chen Since the last stripe rust update on May 7, stripe rust has been developing in the Pacific Northwest (PNW), especially in Washington. After the update, we received a report of stripe rust in commercial fields of winter wheat in Franklin County. On May 9, we checked the fields planted with Piranha CL+ and Nova AX, and stripe ... Read More »