As 2020 kicks off, the Washington Association of Wheat Growers is gearing up for a busy year where trade, fighting mandatory carbon regulations and preserving the lower Snake River dams top the legislative to-do list. “At the state level, we will be opposing any potential harmful carbon regulations that would unfairly impact our growers. Protecting the lower Snake River dams ... Read More »
Federal
Study: US would lose over $2.3 billion by breaching lower Snake River dams
Loss of dams would also significantly increase carbon emissions and impacts to fragile economies The removal of four lower Snake River dams would cost the U.S. over $2.3 billion over the next 30 years, lead to significant additional carbon emissions that contribute to climate change, and jeopardize health, safety and livelihoods in already economically fragile local and regional economies, according ... Read More »
Dams draft report released; public asked to comment
A draft report on the impacts of breaching the lower Snake River dams, which was commissioned by the Governor’s Office last year, has been released and is open for public comment. The report can be accessed at lsrdstakeholderprocess.org. Directions for submitting comments, either electronically or by mail, are included on the website. Public comments will be accepted through Jan. 24. ... Read More »
Opinion: A year after farm bill signing, rural America is better off
From Agri-Pulse Today, we mark the one-year anniversary of President Trump signing into law the 2018 Farm Bill, the Agriculture Act of 2018. Lots of folks said we couldn’t do it, that it was too big of an undertaking in such a fiercely divided political landscape, where bipartisanship has become a four-letter word. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »
Editorial: Cautious optimism on the trade front
From the Capital Press Over the last three years we’ve learned to be cautious with our optimism on matters of trade. But, it looks as though there was some positive movement on that front last week. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »
Ag appropriations bill contains additional assistance for weather-weary farmers
From the Williston Herald Expanded loss coverage in WHIP+, $1.5 billion in additional disaster funds, and more sugar beet assistance are among features of a $23.4 billion ag appropriations bill for discretionary funding of food and farm programs. Read the rest of the article. Read More »
China, US announce trade deal
From Progressive Farmer China and the U.S. reached a preliminary agreement on the first phase of a trade deal that includes increased purchases of U.S. agricultural products, although the amount wasn’t specified. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »
Wheat organizations encouraged by progress on phase one deal with China
From U.S. Wheat Associates and the National Association of Wheat Growers U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) are encouraged by news today that the United States and China have agreed on the text of a “Phase One” trade deal that apparently would roll back tariffs and re-open China’s important market for U.S. agricultural imports. ... Read More »
Wheat, sorghum, rice growers observe the value of food aid program in East Africa
Editor’s note: Benton County wheat grower Nicole Berg was one of the participants on this trip. From U.S. Wheat Associates Of the more than 1.9 million metric tons (MMT) of international food commodities the United States donated in 2018/19, more than 800,000 MMT of it was high-quality milling wheat. Given the important role U.S. agriculture plays in supporting the neediest ... Read More »
Signing moves USMCA towards benefits for U.S. wheat growers
From the National Association of Wheat Growers and U.S. Wheat Associates Today’s signing of the renegotiated U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) is a welcome step toward a final agreement that will provide much needed reassurance for wheat growers and the entire U.S. agricultural industry. U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) want to thank U.S. ... Read More »