From the Washington State Department of Ecology In an effort to protect all that Washington has to offer future generations, the Washington Department of Ecology is launchinga new plan to combat climate change. After months of stakeholder meetings, and public review and input, Ecology yesterday adopted a first-of-its-kind clean air rule that caps and reduces carbon pollution. “Today marks a watershed ... Read More »
State
Industry meeting considers falling numbers problem
Recently, several members of Washington Association of Wheat Growers’ leadership team and staff took part in a meeting with Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) to discuss the high rates of low falling numbers in this year’s soft white wheat harvest. “It was an informative meeting with many different aspects of the falling number problem discussed,” said WAWG Executive Director Michelle ... Read More »
Why should grain producers respond to NASS surveys?
From the National Agricultural Statistics Service Over the next couple of months, NASS will be contacting grain producers in order to determine county-level yield estimates, which will have an impact on farm programs. Here are just some of the reasons why it is important that farmers accurately fill out those surveys. As a statistical agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture ... Read More »
APHIS, researchers continue GE wheat probe
From the Capital Press USDA researchers continue to investigate 22 genetically engineered wheat plants found two months ago in a fallow Washington state field. No conclusions have been reached, said an Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service spokesman, who asked not to be identified. Laboratories at two USDA agencies continue to analyze the test results of samples taken from the ... Read More »
More falling numbers information
The falling number (FN) test is one of the measurements of preharvest sprouting. As previously mentioned, the FN test was developed in the 1960s and accepted worldwide since the 1980s. Major buyers have been using the test since mid-1990s, after concerns were raised with inferior quality wheat. This chart, prepared by Meera Kweon, USDA-ARS, shows the relationship between the FN and ... Read More »
A falling numbers primer
Falling numbers continues to be a main topic of discussion for Eastern Washington wheat producers. Wheat industry partners are committed to provide timely information to impacted growers. Continue to watch for updates on our website for additional information. Testing Process The falling number test is conducted on a 250 gram dockage free sample. The 250 grams represents approximately 7,500 kernels. That ... Read More »
Falling numbers dropping quality of some 2016 crops
Low falling numbers, which have struck distinct regions of Eastern Washington periodically, have shown up once again in the 2016 crop. This season’s outbreak is widespread, but on a random basis. Low falling numbers can be caused by two factors: rain at harvest and Late Maturity Alpha Amylase (LMA) activity. This year, LMA is the primary factor causing low falling ... Read More »
FSA makes change to erodible land program
There might be some relief coming for some Washington state farmers whose land was rejected from the last Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general sign-up. The Washington State Farm Service Agency (FSA) has received a special allocation of 10,000 acres from the national office for the Highly Erodible Land Initiative (HELI). These acres were previously limited to new land, but the ... Read More »
Former WAWG president named to WSU Board of Regents
Gov. Jay Inslee today announced the appointment of Brett Blankenship to the Washington State University (WSU) Board of Regents. Blankenship, who resides in Lake Stevens and Washtucna, is an owner and partner in Blankenship Brothers, a family farm wheat producer. Blankenship has served as president of the National Association of Wheat Growers, a federation of the 22 leading wheat-producing states, ... Read More »
Detecting no GM event, Korea ends U.S. wheat import suspension
From U.S. Wheat Associates Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has ended a temporary suspension of U.S. wheat imports after testing detected no genetically modified wheat in U.S. supplies. MFDS quickly deployed the test to assure U.S. wheat remains safe and reliable, adding confidence that nothing has changed the U.S. wheat supply chain’s ability to deliver wheat that ... Read More »