State

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service Producers in Washington are estimated to have 2.33 million total acres planted to wheat in 2024, up 1% from last year. Winter wheat planted acres are expected to total 1.85 million acres for this year, up 3% from 2023. Spring wheat area planted is estimated at 475,000 acres, down 5% from last year. Wheat producers ... Read More »

By the National Agricultural Statistics Service There were 5.8 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington. Western Washington saw warmer weather, leading to raspberry plants leafing out. Field work was completed between rain showers. Central Washington saw typical weather for March, with grass starting to grow, but the fields were too wet to begin field work. In Yakima County, honeybees were ... Read More »

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service Western Washington saw an earlier spring than usual, with blossoms emerging earlier. After a cold snap, blossoms bounced back, and pollinators were out, but many brassicas were killed due to the cold. Fields were still wet, although a few farmers tilled some ground last week. In central Washington, temperatures were above normal. Native grasses ... Read More »

The Washington Association of Wheat Growers in Ritzville, WA is seeking a self-motivated person with excellent organizational and time management skills to join our dynamic team. The Administrative Assistant must be proficient in Microsoft programs/apps as well as a quick learner of databases and excel at both verbal and written communications. Deadline to send resume to michelle@wawg.org is Friday, April ... Read More »

By Kurt Miller Originally published in the Spokesman-Review As we navigate the complexities of our energy future, it’s crucial to base our decisions on solid data and a comprehensive understanding of the consequences. Suggestions that we can remove productive hydropower dams (as shared in a recent op-ed by Bill Arthur and Emily Washines, “Bold blueprint for salmon restoration puts region ... Read More »

The U.D. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 11 counties in Washington as natural disaster areas for excessive heat. The designation allows USDA’s Farm Service Agency to extend emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, ... Read More »

By Diana Carlen Lobbyist, Washington Association of Wheat Growers The Legislature adjourned on the 60th day of the 2024 Legislative session on Thursday, March 7, at 5:50 p.m. In the final week of the legislative session, the Legislature adopted the supplemental operating, capital, and transportation budgets. The Legislature also continued to pass bills. In total, the legislature passed 381 bills ... Read More »

From the Capital Press The Senate and House finalized a spending plan Wednesday that includes $30 million to partially reimburse farmers and truckers who paid cap-and-trade taxes on fuel used to grow and transport farm goods. The budget, which the Legislature was set to adopt Thursday and then adjourn for the year, directs the Department of Licensing to begin issuing ... Read More »

By Diana Carlen Lobbyist, Washington Association of Wheat Growers The Washington State Legislature has completed its eighth week of the short 60-day session as of March 3. There are four days left in the regular session. March 1 marked the second to last deadline of the 2024 Legislative Session — bills needed to have been approved by both the House ... Read More »

By Dr. Xianming Chen Wheat stripe rust is forecasted to be in the range of severe epidemic (40-60% yield loss) in the 2024 growing season for the eastern Pacific Northwest, based on the predication models using the weather data from November 2023 to February 2024. The models predicted highly susceptible varieties to have 51% yield loss with a standard deviation of 6%. ... Read More »