State

USDA designates 8 Washington counties as natural disaster areas

This Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed 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, reorganization of a farming operation, or to refinance ... Read More »

Crop progress report 08/11/25

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, there were 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington. Washington crop condition Spring wheat: 6% very poor 45% poor 35% fair 11% good 3% excellent Barley: 4% very poor 49% poor 32% fair 14% good 1% excellent Washington crop progress: Winter wheat harvested: 69% this week 54% last week 63% last year 61% ... Read More »

Key WSU weed research team to depart

From the Capital Press It says a lot about the connection that Washington State University weed researchers Drew Lyon and Ian Burke have forged that when both decided to leave, they turned in their letters of resignation at the same time. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

Report: WA lost more than 3,700 farms in 5 years; lawmaker blames regulations

From The Center Square Washington state loses on average two farms a day, with more than 3,700 farms lost between 2017 and 2022, according to the United States Department of Agriculture Census of Agriculture and noted in the recently released “Mental Health and Suicide Prevention for Agricultural Producers and Workers” report compiled by the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Read the rest ... Read More »

Future of ‘traditional’ farm bill is uncertain

By Michelle Hennings Executive Director, Washington Association of Wheat Growers Happy Harvesting. This time of year reminds us that anything is possible with dedication and perseverance, and we appreciate the beauty of nature, the joy of hard work, and the power of gratitude! The Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) has consistently advocated for a modernized farm bill. The current ... Read More »

Wireworm problem greatly reduced, longtime WSU research says

From the Capital Press Wireworms are no longer as big a problem for farmers as they have been over the last decade and a half, a longtime Washington State University researcher says. “They can still rear their ugly heads, they still need to be managed, you still need to be paying attention to what you’re doing crop rotation wise and ... Read More »

Crop progress report 08/04/25

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, there were 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington. Washington crop condition Spring wheat: 7% very poor 41% poor 36% fair 13% good 3% excellent Barley: 4% very poor 46% poor 34% fair 15% good 1% excellent Washington crop progress: Winter wheat harvested: 54% this week 35% last week 45% last year 45% ... Read More »

Legislators keeping busy in interim

By Diana Carlen Lobbyist, Washington Association of Wheat Growers The 2025 Washington State Legislative Session may have wrapped up in April, but the work in Olympia continues. Interim activities are already shaping the policy and budget debates for the 2026 legislative session. The interim is busy filled with work groups, agency rulemaking, interim legislative committee meetings, and agency budget and ... Read More »

Crop progress report 07/28/25

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, there were 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington. Washington crop condition Spring wheat: 6% very poor 42% poor 36% fair 12% good 4% excellent Barley: 3% very poor 45% poor 37% fair 14% good 1% excellent Washington crop progress: Winter wheat harvested: 35% this week 18% last week 29% last year 29% ... Read More »

Crop progress report 07/21/25

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, there were 7 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington. Washington crop condition Spring wheat: 6% very poor 32% poor 41% fair 19% good 2% excellent Barley: 3% very poor 30% poor 43% fair 23% good 1% excellent Washington crop progress: Winter wheat harvested: 18% this week 5% last week 9% last year 14% ... Read More »