State

Members of the state agricultural industry that participated in the Riparian Taskforce recently submitted a letter providing an agricultural perspective in response to some of the recommendations released earlier this summer by Plauche and Carr, the Seattle law firm that led the taskforce. The final report recommends funding and implementation of voluntary restoration efforts and acquisition of riparian areas through ... Read More »

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service There were 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, down from 6.8 days the previous week. Washington saw good weather and some reports of rain. Western Washington received some rain, and crops were still growing well. Yakima County experienced overcast conditions that contributed to a small amount of rain. Apple harvest continued with midseason ... Read More »

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service There were 6.8 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, unchanged from last week. Washington had temperatures ideal for fieldwork, with little moisture received last week. Yakima County had air quality issues due to wildfire smoke. Gala apple harvest continued, and Granny Smith and Honeycrisp varieties also went into packing houses. Vegetable stands were bursting ... Read More »

From Successful Farming In its most recent Crop Progress report, USDA said that 2% of the country’s crop had been planted as of the week ending Sept. 1. In one state, almost a quarter of the crop is in the ground. Here’s a closer look at the numbers. Read More »

From the Capital Press With U.S. farm property values at record levels, renting acreage feels more financially viable for new growers and ranchers. They generally lack capital or collateral to compete in the thin sector of the real estate market with more established ag producers and investors. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service There were 6.8 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, up from 6.3 days the previous week. Washington did not receive much precipitation last week. Temperatures were warmer than usual in western Washington, but cooler than normal in eastern Washington. Western Washington reported drier conditions than normal, and irrigation was needed to keep crops going. ... Read More »

The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) is accepting applications for partial repayments to ag producers or transporters of ag products who paid carbon fees related to the state’s cap and trade program on fuel purchases. Qualifying purchases are between Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2023. Funds will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications should be submitted at DOL’s ... Read More »

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service There were 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, down from 7 days the previous week. Washington experienced cooler than average temperatures for this time of year, with the state also receiving rain. Columbia and Walla Walla counties reported that all winter wheat was harvested with favorable yields. The spring crops were only in ... Read More »

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service There were 7 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, up from 6.8 days the previous week. Western Washington producers saw a good amount of rain late in the week. This precipitation was advantageous to dairy farmers growing corn. Central Washington was dry but cooled off. Pastureland was getting short, and wheat harvest was wrapping ... Read More »

From the Capital Press Farmers in Oregon and Washington are raising a third more winter wheat this year over last year, while Idaho wheat farmers are holding steady. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »