From the Capital Press Farmers need to tell their story, but sometimes it can be hard to find someone — lawmakers, city reporters or the public — who will listen. Retired Washington wheat farmer and longtime industry leader Randy Suess described his frustrations when asking some reporters to cover farm matters. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »
State
Northwest stakeholders tour ‘vast’ Mississippi River system
From the Capital Press Columbia-Snake River stakeholders recently toured the Mississippi River system, part of an alliance to join together all U.S. river interests. The tour was an “educational exchange” between the two regions, with Pacific Northwest representatives invited by the Upper Mississippi Waterway Association. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »
Crop progress report 06/30: Windy weather in Washington
From the National Agricultural Statistics Service There were 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, up from 6.3 days the previous week. Western Washington saw cooler temperatures and some rain during the week. Strawberry harvest was ending as the raspberry harvest was gearing up. Central Washington had a lot of wind last week. The ground was drying out, with minimal ... Read More »
Area in the Northwest Region Planted to Winter Wheat Up 1% from 2023
From the National Agricultural Statistics Service Winter wheat acres planted in Washington are estimated at 1.85 million acres, up 50,000 acres from last year. Harvested area is forecast at 1.79 million acres, up 2% from 2023. Acres planted to winter wheat in Idaho are estimated at 750,000 acres, unchanged from last year. Harvested area is forecast at 690,000 acres, up ... Read More »
Columbia-Snake River System Stakeholders to Explore Midwest Collaboration, Establish Relationships on Upcoming Mississippi River Tour
Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) and other Columbia-Snake River System advocates will be participating in a Mississippi River Tour June 24-28 to understand the challenges other river systems face and how they are investing in those systems to keep them in good working order now and for the future. Joining WAWG Executive Director Michelle Hennings are representatives from Port ... Read More »
Study suggests taking Washington farmland to create riparian buffers
From the Capital Press A Seattle law firm, leading a state-funded study, tentatively recommends Washington use eminent domain to forcibly buy farmland if voluntary programs fail to meet goals for enlarging riparian buffers. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »
Crop progress report 06/16: Apricot Harvest Began in Washington
From the National Agricultural Statistics Service There were 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, up from 5.6 days the previous week. Western Washington saw precipitation and cooler temperatures throughout the week. Central Washington did not receive rain last week. Numerous brush fires ignited on nonirrigated scrublands. Residential evacuations were necessary, but no crops were threatened. In Yakima County, harvest ... Read More »
USDA Reminds Producers to File Crop Acreage Reports
Agricultural producers should make an appointment with their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office to complete crop acreage reports before the applicable deadline after planting is complete. July 15 is a major deadline for most crops, but acreage reporting deadlines vary by county and by crop. “By filing an accurate and timely acreage report for all crops and land uses, including failed ... Read More »
Crop progress report 06/09: Weather started to warm in Washington
From the National Agricultural Statistics Service There were 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, down from 5.7 days the previous week. Western Washington saw more precipitation early in the week than the rest of the state, and temperatures remained moderate. Central Washington had some rain during the beginning of the week, but as the week progressed, the daytime highs ... Read More »
WAWG welcomes new staff member
The Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) is happy to welcome Keri Gingrich as the association’s new administrative assistant. Gingrich grew up in Ritzville, Wash., on a wheat and cattle farm. She joined the U.S. Air Force where she trained as a Morse code operator. She was stationed at Wheeler Air Force Base in Honolulu, where she “enjoyed the fun ... Read More »