Pacific Northwest Ag Network

With many farmers already thinking about the New Year, and what 2023 holds in store for their crop, their livestock and their operation, why should water be any different?  Producers across southern Idaho are very hopeful this coming winter will be a cool one with a lot of rain and snow to replenish aquifers.  Te...

A non-native bug is damaging “white oak” trees around Oregon.  State Department of Forestry’s Christine Buhl said the oak lace bug has been here since 2015, but this year, things are looking especially bad.   “It is an aesthetic pest that can make oaks look pretty bad, and so that’s a concern for the typical homeowner, even though it’s not killing the trees. But, the larger concern is always that

In today's UPL Agronomic Minute, Shawn Kennedy talks about post harvest practices that help consumers enjoy potatoes.     If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com ...

With the holiday season here, that means scammer are increasing their efforts to separate you from your personal information, your identity, your money and much more.  AARP’s Sean Voskuhl said scammers are not only targeting the elderly, but they now have children in their focus.  He said now i...

Montana Senator Jon Tester pushed the leader of the Securities and Exchange Commission to avoid taking action on its proposed Climate Rule that could potentially hurt American farmers.  Tester said he’s concerned that action would lead to burdensome reporting requirements for family farmers and ranchers who are part of the supply chain for a publicly-traded company as part of the agency’s proposed

President Joe Biden recently signed a National Security Memorandum to Strengthen the Security and Resilience of U.S. Food and Agriculture.  Colin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, said the memorandum instructs government officials to identify threats to American food and agriculture and respond appropriately.   “What ...

USDA’s Rural Development undersecretary faced numerous complaints from rural U.S. Senators about complicated grant applications, office staffing, and broadband grant duplication at a recent Farm Bill hearing.  Xochitl Torres Small defended her agency’s handling of its many functions, calling most criticisms the result of having to balance costs and fairness.  But she did agree t...

The National Milk Producers Federation sent a letter to lawmakers, including Oregon's Ron Wyden, asking for support of domestic infant formula production as the shortfalls that emptied store shelves of formula have eased.  NMPF said given the improving situation, tariff waivers that could discourage the production of a safe, secure domestic infant formula supply should be allowed to expire at the

The Beef Checkoff-funded Trailblazers program is asking for applications for its next class of beef advocates.  Trailblazers, developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, takes advocacy to the next level by giving participants the tools and training they need to promote beef to new audiences while correcting misconceptions.   “...

Cargill’s CEO said he expects food prices to decline in 2023.  Yahoo said that’s despite tight global crop stockpiles, especially in oilseeds.  David MacLennan, Cargill CEO, said the solution to the food versus fuel debate is to boost global crop commodity production.   “We don’t think i...

Looking back on the 2022 wheat crop across Idaho, Britany Hurst Marchant is very happy with the results.  The new Executive Director of the Idaho Wheat Commission said growers brought in 94 million bushels this year, slightly lower than the average 100 million bushels.  She not...

When Washington farmers, ranchers, and agribusiness leaders met in Wenatchee last week during the 102nd Washington Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, the 2022-2023 leadership team was elected.   Rosella Mosby, a King County vegetable farmer was elected to her second term as State President.  Sh...

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 37th annual Thanksgiving Dinner survey, which looks at the cost of the meal for ten, this year’s turkey dinner will cost roughly 20% more than last year, and 36% higher than 2020.  This year’...

"Oil prices this morning have plummeted down to about $75 a barrel the lowest level since Russia's invasion of Ukraine back in February that has pushed gasoline and diesel prices down," said Patrick DeHaan with GasBuddy.  He added fuel prices have tumbled considerably over the past couple of weeks, resulting in relief at the local station.  He said ther...

Thanks in large part to inflation, the price of milk moved higher throughout the year, with the average price for a gallon of whole milk is up by nearly 60 cents, sitting at $4.41 in October.  How is inflation affecting the average dairy farmer in Washington?   ...

The National Milk Producers Federation wants the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to speed up the approval of climate-smart feed additives.  The group wants the FDA to modernize its regulations allowing for faster approval of animal feed additives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  The mil...

U.S. produce growers require a lot of labor, but they face a labor crisis in getting enough workers in the field and the packing houses.  Little Bear Produce, a grower-packer-shipper from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, grows various food crops.  Br...

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced last week his agency is planning for additional emergency relief and pandemic assistance.  USDA will soon roll out phase two of the Emergency Relief Program as well as the new Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program.  Th...

As the lame duck session of Congress works through the final weeks of 2022, many farm and agriculture groups are pressing lawmakers to finish immigration reform through the Farm Workforce Modernization Act.  The legislation, spearheaded by Central Washington’s Dan Newhouse and others, has already cleared the House, but has not been voted on in the Senate.  Representativ...

In 2021, households that included an adult with disabilities reported higher food insecurity rates than households with no adults with disabilities.  ERS reports that in 2021, for U.S. households that included an adult out of the labor force because of a disability, 28% were food insecure.  Am...

John Deere recently announced an agreement with the U.S. Army Reserve to help service members and their families access career opportunities while transferring to civilian life.  The agreement allows Deere to provide active-duty soldiers transitioning to the Army Reserves with meaningful education and skills that will make them top candidates for future employment.  Deere s...