State

With harvest season in full-swing in many parts of the state, the Washington State Patrol Commercial Vehicle Division recently contacted the Washington Association of Wheat Growers in an effort to remind farmers of vehicle size, weight and load restrictions. Citations have recently been issued for overweight grain trucks and farmers are encouraged to review the restrictions. The following was taken from the Commercial ... Read More »

From the Capital Press Dryland wheat farmers in Eastern Washington are reporting above-average yields during this year’s harvest. Juliann Dodds, senior vice president and commercial banking manager team lead at Umpqua Bank in Moses Lake, Wash., said she’s hearing from farmers whose yields are running as high as 100 bushels per acre, instead of the normal yields around 50 to ... Read More »

From the Capital Press Stripe rust pressure this year is “severe to extremely severe” in Pacific Northwest wheat, but most farmers have been able to control it by growing resistant varieties or by applying fungicides. USDA Agricultural Research Service plant geneticist Xianming Chen blames the mild winter, which allowed the rust to survive and develop in winter wheat. “Stripe rust ... Read More »

From the Capital Press Rain and temperature fluctuations are worrying some in the Pacific Northwest wheat industry about sprout damage that could reduce the price farmers receive for their crop. If the weather clears up without additional storms, “then maybe it’s not going to be that big a disaster,” said Camille Steber, USDA ARS research plant molecular geneticist in Pullman, ... Read More »

The past 12 months have brought a poor harvest, drought, fires and fights (the political kind, mostly). Through it all, the Washington Association of Wheat Growers’ (WAWG) leadership team, executive board and committee chairs and staff, have spent countless hours on the phone participating in conference calls with state agencies and contacting our federal delegation to ask for support on ... Read More »

Between 2010 and 2015, change in inflation-adjusted average farm real estate values (the value of farmland and buildings) varied widely across the 48 contiguous states. The value of farm real estate is expected to change over time to reflect changes in expectations for income streams from future use—including both agriculture and nonagricultural uses. Over 2010-15, the largest state percentage increases ... Read More »

From smallgrains.wsu.edu As wheat harvest gets started in Washington, recent rainfall and cool temperatures have some growers worried about Mother Nature’s fickle ways with their crop.  Rainfall close to harvest can result in preharvest sprouting, which can negatively affect wheat quality. Dr. Camille Steber, USDA-ARS plant geneticist, explains the potential effects of recent rains on this year’s wheat crop and ... Read More »

According to the NASS Crop Production Report released yesterday, winter wheat production is forecast at 1.63 billion bushels, up 8 percent from the June 1 forecast and up 19 percent from 2015. Based on July 1 conditions, the United States yield is forecast at a record high 53.9 bushels per acre, up 3.4 bushels from last month and up 11.4 bushels ... Read More »

Editor’s Note: The Washington Policy Center (WPC) is a nonprofit organization that researches relevant public policy issues and offers practical commonsense recommendations. A few months ago, Chris Cargill, the WPC’s Eastern Washington director, took a look at the state’s agricultural industry and the value it adds to Washington state in a white paper available on WPC’s website. By Chris Cargill Washington ... Read More »

By Diana Carlen WAWG Lobbyist This November, Washington voters will decide whether Washington state will be the first state in the nation to enact a carbon tax. The proposal, known as Initiative 732 (I-732), was drafted by a grassroots citizens group called Carbon Washington. I-732 imposes an initial $15 tax on carbon emissions from fossil fuels sold or used in ... Read More »