State

Dr. Xianming Chen This week, we were completing stripe rust notes of winter cereal nurseries in Mount Vernon (Skagit County), Wash.; Hermiston (Umatilla County), Ore.; and Walla Walla (Walla Walla County), Wash. Winter wheat and barley ranged from flowering to soft dough stage. Wheat stripe rust developed to 100 percent severity on susceptible winter varieties in these locations. Barley stripe ... Read More »

From the Capital Press Washington Gov. Jay Inslee late Tuesday clarified how farmers can comply with some requirements to keep COVID-19 from spreading among workers. Read the story here. Read More »

Last week, Gov. Jay Inslee released his agriculture COVID-19 requirements. While the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) understands that these new health and safety guidelines are intended to protect farmworkers in the agriculture industry, we found them shocking and alarming, especially as we head into harvest season. WAWG was not consulted on these new requirements, and we have deep concerns ... Read More »

From NASS There were 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week, up from 5.0 the previous week. Western Washington had heavy showers and cool weather. Planting was interrupted and slowed. Crops already planted were in good condition. Grass growth benefited from the weather. Dairies took their first cutting of hay. San Juan County had ideal conditions of both ... Read More »

Due to social distancing measures, this year’s event will take place as a webinar By Trista Crossley Like many other institutions, the Agricultural Marketing and Management Organization (AMMO) is pivoting to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.  This year’s Wheat College will feature Peter “Wheat Pete” Johnson, who is the resident agronomist with Real Agriculture where he posts a weekly ... Read More »

Governor Inslee has modified the provisions of Proclamation 20-25 applicable to essential workers and workplaces to prohibit any agricultural employer from continuing to operate beyond June 3, 2020, unless the employer complies with all provisions of the Agriculture COVID-19 requirements – Provisions for All Worksites and Work-Related Functions found at this link: https://www.governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/COVID19AgriculturalSafetyPlan.pdf These requirements apply to orchards, fields, dairies ... Read More »

By Michelle Hennings Executive Director, Washington Association of Wheat Growers WOW! What an interesting couple of months it has been. Our office may be closed, and you won’t have seen us at any meetings lately, but the leaders and staff of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) are still working very hard on behalf of Eastern Washington wheat growers. ... Read More »

From NASS There were 5.0 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week, down from 5.4 the previous week. Crop conditions and emergent progress benefited from a mixture of rain and sunshine throughout the state. Field crops looked good. Rain hampered some final planting and fieldwork. In western Washington, the warmer weather last week helped grass hay grow at a ... Read More »

Due to social distancing guidelines, Washington State University (WSU) Cereal Variety Testing Program has canceled their 2020 plot tours. According to the WSU small grains website, virtual tours will be recorded at Lind, the Wilke Farm/Reardan, Dayton and Pullman. The annual Lind Field Day has also been canceled. This is only the second field day cancellation in 105 years; the ... Read More »

From NASS There were 5.4 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week, down some from 5.9 the previous week. Planting progress wrapped up, and good emergent progress was reported. In western Washington, a mix of rain and sunshine helped field crops stay healthy. In San Juan County, forage was almost ready for early haylage harvest. Livestock was on rotation ... Read More »