State

The Washington Association of Wheat Growers joined with other Columbia River System Operations stakeholders in a letter to Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson, urging him to refrain from becoming a plaintiff in river system litigation and meeting with stakeholders instead to discuss the benefits of the system. “Washington and other regional stakeholders are at a critical crossroads; we are hoping to ... Read More »

This letter to the editor appeared in the Spokesman-Review on Oct. 19 I visited Washington, D.C., in July to speak with lawmakers about protecting access to the crop protection tools my farm and so many others rely on to grow food efficiently and affordably. The conversation since those meetings has veered far off course. A wave of misinformation has emerged ... Read More »

The Washington State Department of Ecology has created a new Agricultural Exempt Fuel Retail Sellers Directory, which can be found at Fuel Exemptions – Washington State Department of Ecology. On this webpage, you will also find guidance on: Which fuels are exempt, and How to register for the directory if you are a retail fuel seller. The page also includes an ... Read More »

By Andy Juris Klickitat County grower and Past President, Washington Association of Wheat Growers The hardship of the past Things were bad. So bad, that no one could remember a time when they weren’t. The price of wheat hit an all-time low, just 25 cents, barely half of what it cost to grow. Rain had failed for four straight years, ... Read More »

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, there were 6.9 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week. Washington crop progress: Winter wheat planted: 68% this week 58% last week 69% last year 64% 5-year average Winter wheat emerged: 40% this week 30% last week 36% last year 32% 5-year average Read More »

From the Pacific Northwest Ag Network Last week, Washington representatives Kim Schrier and Dan Newhouse introduced the Eliminating Needless Administrative Barriers Lessening Efficiency for Conservation Act, better known as the ENABLE Conservation Act.  They say this bi-partisan legislation will allow more farmers to participate in voluntary conservation programs. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

From the Capital Press Washington and parts of Oregon and Idaho should receive above-normal amounts of rain in October through December, bringing relief to drought-stricken areas, according to the National Weather Service’s seasonal forecast. A La Nina is expected to move the Pacific jet stream northward, picking up moisture in the North Pacific before sliding south into the Northwest, the ... Read More »

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, there were 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week. Washington crop progress: Winter wheat planted: 58% this week 50% last week 52% last year 52% 5-year average Winter wheat emerged: 30% this week 13% last week 20% last year 17% 5-year average Spring wheat harvested: 98% this week 97% last week ... Read More »

By Mark Schoesler Special to The Seattle Times As a longtime farmer, I fear more farmers in our state will be forced to leave this traditional and important way of life behind. Washington has seen a steady decrease in the number of farms. As a recent Seattle Times story noted (“3,700 WA farms shut down in 5 years. Why?,”) nearly 4,000 farms ... Read More »

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, there were 6.9 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week. Washington crop progress: Winter wheat planted: 50% this week 40% last week 42% last year 42% 5-year average Spring wheat harvested: 97% this week 95% last week 99% last year 95% 5-year average xBarley harvested: 98% this week 96% last week 100% ... Read More »