State

By Diana Carlen WAWG Lobbyist We have completed the second week of the 105-day session. Committees have been busy holding public hearings and passing bills out of committee. In addition, legislators are dropping dozens of bills daily. As of Jan. 20, over 1,000 bills have been introduced. The first legislative deadline is Feb. 17, 2023, when all bills must be ... Read More »

By Dr. Xianming Chen USA-ARS Based on the weather conditions in November and December 2022, stripe rust in the 2023 wheat growing season is forecasted to be in the lower range of moderate epidemic level (20-40% yield loss on susceptible varieties). Using forecast models based on the 2022 November and December weather data, yield loss of highly susceptible winter wheat ... Read More »

By Diana Carlen WAWG Lobbyist The Washington state legislative session began on Monday, Jan. 9. It is the first in-person session since the pandemic hit, and everyone is excited to be back in person. Committees are allowing both in-person and remote testimony. The 2023 session is scheduled to last 105 days and end on April 23. The primary job of ... Read More »

From the Capital Press Palouse, Wash., farmer Ben Barstow will chair the Washington Grain Commission for the next two years. “It’s a small group, and everybody eventually has to take a turn,” Barstow told the Capital Press. Barstow took over as chairman during the commission board meeting Jan. 12. He replaces Mike Carstensen. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

The National Agricultural Statistics Service released two important reports on Jan. 12 concerning Washington wheat growers. The first report, the Annual Crop Summary Report, summarizes the 2022 crop year for all wheat, hay, potatoes and dry beans. All wheat planted in Washington totaled 2.33 million acres, down slightly from 2021. Harvested area, at 2.27 million acres, is up 2% from the ... Read More »

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Washington (NRCS-WA) has released more information on the completely voluntary FY23 Riparian Buffer Program.  The new fact sheet includes information on four “tiers” of riparian buffers, with examples of associated practices and estimated payment scenarios – to include many with foregone income to help compensate landowners for income lost if they install a riparian buffer.  ... Read More »

From NASS Central Washington experienced low temperatures during December. In Klickitat and Yakima counties, the ground had been covered in snow for about a month. Cattle were fed on winter ground. In Benton County, the weather through crop-producing areas dropped into the single digits in the early morning hours. Perennial crops were dormant, and no orchard or agricultural activities were observed. Northeast ... Read More »

By Michelle Hennings Executive Director, Washington Association of Wheat Growers Happy New Year!!  We just wrapped up the 2022 Tri-State Grain Growers Convention last month, and what a SUCCESS! Our attendance was better than it’s been for many years. It was great to be back networking with farmers. The convention featured highly acclaimed national speakers and quality educational break-out sessions ... Read More »

From the Capital Press Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, outlining his climate agenda for the 2023 legislative session, said Dec. 12 he will propose “new ways” to push through energy-related projects more rapidly. Inslee, who last month decried “nimbyism” as a threat to decarbonizing the economy, said state laws for approving transmission lines and manufacturing plants that support renewable energy are ... Read More »

By Diana Carlen WAWG Lobbyist While there are a couple of legislative races still too close to call, it is clear that Democrats will expand their majorities slightly. In the Senate, Democrats have picked up one seat (29-20) as Rep. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) has defeated Sen. Simon Sefzik (R-Ferndale) who was appointed last January to replace Sen. Doug Ericksen after ... Read More »