WAWG
Compliance with highly erodible land (HELC) and wetland conservation (WC) provisions are a requirement for participation in Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs. FSA will be hosting a webinar to assist current and potential customers with understanding their responsibilities regarding highly erodible land and wetland conservation. This webinar will also provide insight into the process ... Read More »
State
Call for WWF donations
The Washington Wheat Foundation (WWF) is preparing for its annual fundraising auction at the Tri-State Convention on Thursday, Nov. 21. The WWF is accepting donations of any kind from wheat growers. Funds raised from the auction support the WWF Ambassador Program, as well as foundation-funded research and project grants. Programs supported through grants include the Northwest Natural Resources Institute, Washington State ... Read More »
Crop progress report 09/22: Cool fall weather arrived in Washington
From the National Agricultural Statistics Service There were 7 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, up from 6.7 days the previous week. Washington did not see much rain statewide. Western Washington had temperatures cooler than normal. Yakima County had dry conditions with no precipitation. Apple harvest continued with mid-season varieties filling up the packing house. Farmer’s markets sold a variety ... Read More »
Counties designated as natural disaster areas for drought
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, seven Washington state counties suffered from a drought intensity value during the growing season of D2-Drought-Severe for eight or more consecutive weeks or D3-Drought-Extreme or D4-Drought-Exceptional. The primary counties eligible are Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas, Okanogan, Skagit, and Yakima counties The contiguous counties that are also eligible are Adams, Benton, Ferry, Franklin, Island, King, ... Read More »
Stakeholders provide ag perspective on riparian buffer recommendations
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 »
Crop progress report 09/15: Fall was in the air in Washington
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 »
Crop progress report 09/08: Winter wheat planting in full swing in Washington
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 »
Winter wheat planting underway in 8 top growing states
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 »
Renting acreage appealing for new producers, but complicated
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 »
Crop progress report 09/01: Fall planting underway in Washington
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 »