Federal

USW submits comments on trade barriers to USTR

By Shelbi Knisley Director of Trade Policy, U.S. Wheat Associates Last week, U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) submitted comments to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) for the annual National Trade Estimates (NTE) report. The NTE report allows U.S. industry organizations to highlight and comment on trade barriers impacting their trade opportunities to the U.S. government. USW highlighted several key ... Read More »

Congressional elections could impact commodity prices most, expert says

From the Capital Press Which parties control the U.S. House and Senate — and not the outcome of the presidential election — will impact the commodity markets most, an agricultural economist says. “It’s pretty clear that the Senate and the House aren’t going to change leadership, so that’s some certainty that’s been interjected into the market,” said Randy Fortenbery, small ... Read More »

New research reveals flawed approach to salmon recovery programs

Report could have major implications for dam debate From Northwest River Partners Newly published research has unveiled remarkable insight into the survival rates of Chinook salmon populations along the North American West Coast, highlighting a dramatic omission in the way such data has been interpreted for over two decades. The peer-reviewed research entitled, “A Synthesis of the Coast-wide Decline in ... Read More »

Groups threaten another suit over river management

From the Capital Press A coalition of environmental and fishing groups plans to again sue the federal government to protect endangered salmon and steelhead runs in the Columbia River Basin. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

Harvest the vote: Trump, Biden campaigns outline ag policies

From the Capital Press As Election Day approaches, all eyes will be on the race for the White House. Voters will decide Nov. 3 if President Donald Trump will receive a second term in office, or if Democratic challenger and former Vice President Joe Biden will get his chance to lead the nation. While farmers and ranchers make up just ... Read More »

Columbia River Treaty negotiations slow as election looms

From the Capital Press Negotiations to update the Columbia River Treaty between the U.S. and Canada continue but are moving slowly pending the U.S. election, officials say. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

Agriculture, consumers and environment prevail in milestone ruling on glyphosate

From AgriPulse Agriculture, consumers, and the environment prevailed against California’s attempt to require producers to incorrectly declare that glyphosate causes cancer. At issue was California’s Proposition 65 requiring its Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment to maintain “a list of those chemicals known to the state to cause cancer.” Prop 65 requires that this list automatically include any substances listed ... Read More »

NAWG announces membership in Ecosystem Services Market consortium

The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) is pleased to announce that it has joined the Ecosystem Services Market Consortium (ESMC). ESMC is a nonprofit organization working to advance ecosystem service markets that incentivize farmers and ranchers to improve soil health systems that benefit society. “Wheat farmers know the importance of managing their operations to maintain soil health and productivity, ... Read More »

National Representation Helps Wheat Farmers Triumph Through COVID-19

By Chandler Goule, CEO National Association of Wheat Growers COVID-19 has presented wheat farmers, and all of agriculture, with numerous challenges and setbacks. However, the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG), the leading advocacy organization for America’s wheat farmers, was able to address many of these hurdles and, as a result, has grown as an organization. NAWG has had many ... Read More »

Perdue unsure if China will meet Phase One farm commitment

From agriculture.com China may fall short of annual agricultural product purchasing commitments made in its Phase 1 trade deal with the United States due to “non-agricultural trade issues,” U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said on Friday. Read the rest of the article. Read More »