State

From NASS There were 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week, down from 6.5 the previous week. In Western Washington, soil conditions improved, but most soils were too wet. The newly planted grass and grains were emerging well and looked good. Livestock were on pasture rotations. Fruit trees had very high levels of bloom. Caneberries came out with ... Read More »

It’s not only farmers who need to get on with the business of growing their crops during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many state and federal agencies that farmers rely on are also still doing business, albeit from a distance. We reached out to some of those agencies to find out what’s going on. Farm Service Agency (FSA). Like most U.S. Department ... Read More »

By Dr. Xianming Chen Tuesday, I was checking wheat fields in Whitman, Adams, Lincoln, Grant and Douglas counties in Washington. Winter wheat ranged from Feekes 4 to 7. Minor frost damage on leaf tips was common in Whitman County, caused by freezing night temperatures of the last week. Stripe rust was found only in one commercial field in Lincoln County. ... Read More »

The next deadline for Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) classic applications to be considered for funding this fiscal year is May 29, 2020. Through CSP, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) helps farmers, ranchers and forest landowners earn payments for expanding conservation activities while maintaining agricultural production on their land. CSP also encourages adoption of new technologies and management techniques. “CSP ... Read More »

From the Capital Press Transportation advocates are backing a campaign to ensure information about the Columbia-Snake River system continues to reach Pacific Northwest residents and decision-makers. Read the article here. Read More »

From NASS There were 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week, unchanged from the previous week. In Western Washington, spring field cultivation and planting progressed well. Pastures looked good. Beef cattle were pastured and not being fed additional hay. There was excellent weather for field preparation. Some producers finished harrowing, and some anticipated starting to harrow this week. ... Read More »

Washington’s massive agriculture industry is critical to both the state’s economy and to the welfare of families across the country. Agriculture is one of the essential industries that continues to work even during Gov. Jay Inslee’s stay-at-home order to fight the coronavirus (COVID-19). Thousands of farm workers are on the job, and the season is just getting started. Many farmworkers ... Read More »

From NASS There were 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week, up from 5.0 the previous week. In Western Washington, a lot of field work was getting completed. Many tractors were out breaking soil. However, producers did not chop haylage. In Whatcom County, fall-seeded crops were showing a growth spurt, grass growth was picking up, and raspberry plants ... Read More »

Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) President Ryan Poe submitted the following comments to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in response to the Columbia River System Operations draft EIS on behalf of the organization. WAWG encourages all wheat farmers to submit their comments online as soon as possible as today is the last day comments will be accepted. On behalf ... Read More »

Agricultural producers can now apply for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan called the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).  The new PPP loan is designed to help pay employees, mortgage and rent payments, and utility bills.  This loan can be 100% forgivable, based upon maintaining employees and salary for eight weeks. Additional information can be found here. Related from Paul ... Read More »