WAWG
Agricultural producers can now enroll in the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2024 crop year. Producers can enroll and make election changes for the 2024 crop year starting through March 15, 2024. On Nov. 16, 2023, President Biden signed into law H.R. 6363, the Further Continuing Appropriations and Other ... Read More »
Federal
WAWG leaders attend NAWG fall conference
Last month, Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) leaders took part in the National Association of Wheat Growers’ (NAWG) annual fall conference in Cincinnati. WAWG leaders sit on many of NAWG’s committees, including Operations and Planning, Budget, Environment and Research, Domestic Trade and Policy, and a special climate and sustainability committee. Michelle Hennings, WAWG’s executive director, said much of the ... Read More »
Rep. Newhouse seeks market, export promotions in farm bill update
From the Center Square Expanding domestic market access and promoting exports of American farm products are among the provisions being endorsed by U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., as Congress considers reauthorization of the nationwide Farm Bill. “Trade continues to be critical for American farmers and ranchers, and American agricultural products are a key part of the global food supply,” Newhouse ... Read More »
White House negotiated settlement in secret leaves farmers behind; impacts PNW economy
Concerned stakeholders left out of dam breaching discussions with Administration. Pacific Northwest (PNW) agriculture groups and stakeholders, including the Washington Association of Wheat Growers, Pacific Northwest Waterways Association, The McGregor Company, Washington State Potato Commission, and Washington Farm Bureau, strongly oppose the proposed “U.S. Government Commitments in Support of the Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative and in Partnership with the Six ... Read More »
Farm bill, pesticides top list of national issues to watch
By Trista Crossley Editor, Wheat Life Capitol Hill may seem far away, but what happens in Washington, D.C., has a direct impact on Eastern Washington farmers. Two National Association of Wheat Growers’ (NAWG) staff, Keira Franz, environmental policy advisor, and Jack Long, government relations representative, gave an “inside the beltway” perspective about Congress at the 2023 Tri-State Grain Growers Convention. ... Read More »
Update on lower Snake River dams mediation efforts
On November 29, the document entitled “U.S. Government Commitments in Support of the Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative and in Partnership with the Six Sovereigns” was made public in a letter from Pacific Northwest members of Congress to President Biden. The draft agreement is based on the Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative, a proposal to the Biden Administration from the six sovereigns ... Read More »
Lawmakers warn Biden on Snake River dam secret package
From the Capital Press Republican lawmakers continue to warn President Joe Biden about secret plans developed by the White House Council on Environmental Quality and plaintiffs in a long-running lawsuit over the four lower Snake River dams. Republican Sens. Jim Risch and Mike Crapo of Idaho and Steve Daines of Montana sent a letter to Biden to discuss their concerns ... Read More »
Biden Administration quietly developing settlement with groups seeking to tear down key power source
From Fox News The Biden administration is quietly discussing a potentially far-reaching settlement with environmental groups that advocate for tearing down four hydroelectric dams in Washington to protect salmon. Federal attorneys representing the government said it had “developed a package of actions and commitments” and agreed to pause litigation with environmental activist plaintiffs in the case, according to court documents ... Read More »
Farm bill, funding updates
How does expired legislation potential shutdown impact farmer programs? By Trista Crossley Editor, Wheat Life Producers are facing two financial uncertainties going into the end of 2023 that could have huge impacts on the agricultural industry. On Sept. 30, the 2018 Farm Bill expired with no sign of new legislation to replace it. Congress is also facing a funding deadline ... Read More »
EPA’s authority for pesticide proposals questioned
From the Capital Press The Environmental Protection Agency’s proposals to fundamentally change U.S. pesticide regulations are likely to be challenged in court, according to observers. The EPA’s herbicide strategy and vulnerable species pilot project propose broad-based limits on pesticide use without new scientific studies to support the additional restrictions. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »