State

From the Pacific Northwest Ag Network The 2026 Washington legislative session is just around the corner, and in anticipation, state Senator Mark Schoesler has filed legislation that looks to make lubricants for vehicles and machinery more affordable.  Senate Bill 5856, he said, would exempt emissions associated with lubricants from coverage under the state’s Climate Commitment Act enacted in 2021. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

From the Capital Press Washington timberland owners are suing three state agencies to overturn a rule that will prohibit logging within 75 feet of streams without fish in Western Washington. The rule will take 200,000 acres of timberland out of production, according to the Washington Forest Protection Association and Washington Farm Forestry Association. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

By Pam Lewis In the Spokesman-Review We are a nation that celebrates with food. Birthdays are synonymous with cake and ice cream. Easter is all about eggs and chocolate. Halloween is everyone’s favorite day for candy (or potatoes if you swing by the Washington State Potato Commission Executive Director’s home). But the ultimate in food-related holidays is Thanksgiving. Read the ... Read More »

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, there were 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week. This will be the last weekly Crop Progress Report issued for the 2025 season. The first weekly report for 2026 will be released in early April 2026. Washington crop progress: Winter wheat emerged: 98% this week 97% last week 100% last year ... Read More »

From the Capital Press Despite some up-side opportunities, lower wheat prices will persist through the 2025-2026 marketing year, Washington State University’s small grains economist says. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

By Diana Carlen Lobbyist, Washington Association of Wheat Growers While nationally there were significant elections this November, Washington state also had some notable races in an off-year election.  Nine legislative races were on the ballot for members who were appointed to their seats and were running to retain them. Of those nine races, three candidates were running unopposed, two were ... Read More »

From the Capital Press Washington farm groups are concerned the Department of Ecology will punish farmers and ranchers who decline to adopt large riparian buffers and other “best management practices.” Ecology labels the practices, or “BMPs,” as “voluntary guidance.” But Ecology has drafted a pollution-control plan claiming the power to “require the implementation of best management practices.” Read the rest ... Read More »

WAWG staff and leaders are in Austin, Texas, for the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) fall meeting to discuss resolution and wheat grower policies. Past President Andy Juris serves on the NAWG Budget Committee, while Past President Ryan Poe serves on the Domestic Trade Policy Committee. President Jeff Malone serves on the Environment and Research Committee. Read More »

From the Capital Press Washington State University has entered a new era of leadership. Elizabeth “Betsy” Cantwell became president April 1. “This institution has proudly been one of the pre-eminent land-grant, agriculturally-focused universities in the U.S. since its inception in 1890,” Cantwell told Capital Press. “We haven’t lost the bubble on that, and we won’t. That’s why we hired Dean ... Read More »

The Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) has signed onto a letter to the Governor’s Office providing feedback on the state’s Riparian Taskforce’s work and weighing in on the group’s future focus. Besides WAWG, the letter was signed by the Washington Farm Bureau, the Washington State Diary Federation, the Washington Potato Commission, and the Washington State Tree Fruit Association. The ... Read More »