Pacific Northwest Ag Network

The Washington State Department of Agriculture is investigating a possible northern giant hornet sighting in the Burley area near Port Orchard.  This invasive species is a known predator of honeybees.  The northern giant hornet is the largest hornet in the world, measuring up to 2 inches long.  This invasive spe...

For the first time in more than a decade, the University of Idaho hosted a rodeo.  Jamie Slocum, a coach on the Rodeo Club, helped organize U of I’s previous rodeo as an athlete in the spring of 2011.  When she became a coach earlier this year, she set a goal of resurrecting a local rodeo.   “I feel like we ...

After trading higher last week, thanks to Iran's attack on Israel, oil prices have fallen again.  In Monday’s trade, West Texas Crude was trading around $74 per barrel, while off from last week’s numbers, still higher than the prices we saw during most of September.  Patrick DeHaan with...

USDA’s October crop production forecast show mixed numbers for Northwest crops.   Idaho is expected to harvest 93,000 acres of canola this year, resulting in 67 million pounds.  The yield is forecast at 1,800 pounds per acre.  Meanwhile, Wa...

USDA’s October crop production forecast was released last week, and it was a mixed bag on the national scene.  The latest projections released Friday show a less than 1% increase in corn production from the previous month, coinciding with a slight adjustment up in corn yields.  Soybean produ...

Speaking of the USDA’s October crop production forecast   How likely is it that the crop yields being forecast in this report end up being the yields.  Lance Honig with USDA’s NASS says, "very likely".  He noted that the October USDA crop yield forecast over the years, remarkably accurate most of the time.   “In fact, over the last 25 years...

Two new varieties of habanero pepper created at Oregon State University are said to provide all the flavor and none of the heat.  Professor of Vegetable Breeding Jim Myers says the project started for selfish reasons.   “Well, it comes out of my really liking the fruity aroma and fragrance of the habanero-type peppers. But them being way ...

Canadian canola producers are stockpiling their crop, hoping for improved pricing opportunities later this year or in the spring.  China’s anti-dumping investigation into canola seed imports is having a direct impact on farmer’s plans to ship their current inventory.  Agriculture Ca...

The future is uncertain for thousands of Georgia farmers, the state’s agriculture commissioner said, with poultry growers and pecan farmers facing years of recovery from widespread destruction. Farmers in Georgia face billions of dollars in preliminary losses from destructive Hurricane Helene in what could be a catastrophic blow to the state’s agriculture industry.   A...

Whether large or small, communities across Oregon are celebrating October as Farm To School Month.  And organizers say the month serves as an opportunity to teach about how local foods can create powerful connections.  The month-long event is highlighted by the annual crunch event on October 17th, where students will crunch away on apples, carrots or other crunchy produce grown in Oregon.   “We ha

Two-thirds of U.S. consumers have used a food-ordering app at least once for takeout, delivery, or both.

On Friday, representatives from USDA’s Rural Development were in the Tri-Cities, attending a ribbon-cutting for a new biofuels facility.  The facility, owned by Vancouver-WA based Tidwater Terminal Company, received over $3 million via the Inflation Reduction Act, which looked to increase the availability of domestic biofuels.  Betsy Dirkson...

On Friday, Oregon senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced funding they say will boost habitat restoration in the eastern portion of the state.  The $679,690 from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will go to five projects, supporting management of invasive grasses, reducing wildfire risks, and restoring sagebrush habitat.   “Rest...

The Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Division is asking for your help identifying the person who poached a mature bull elk in the northeast corner of the state with archery equipment over Labor Day weekend.   OSP says the suspect shot the elk, and began recovering the meat, however, when an Oregon State Trooper arrived in the area, the individual left the area without taking any portion of

Idaho is one of 14 states reporting Highly Pathogenetic Avian Influence in dairy herds, and efforts continue to figure out how the virus is being spread.  Idaho state veterinarian doctor Scott Leibsle said H5N1 cases peaked in May and June.  He poin...

The Oregon Department of Agriculture has rewritten its regulations on dairies, following push back from some small farmers.  Previously, the ODA had warned dairy farms that they could face fines if they failed to register as Confined Animal Feeding Operations, or CAFOs.  In a me...

The USDA announced last week it has awarded more than $25 million to support eight projects under the new Assisting Specialty Crop Imports (ASCE) Initiative.  USDA launched the initiative in January 2024 as part of the agency’s commitment to create more and better markets for U.S. producers an...

Many people talk about the disconnect between young people and the farming community.  Typically, that involves the question of where our food comes from, or what practices are taking place on the farm of the 21st century.  But in today's Future of Farming, Dale Nelzen, the Oregon FFA President says many young people also don’t understand the amazing career opportunities that exist in farming.    

It’s been a back-and-forth roller coaster in the dairy markets lately.  Mike North of Ever.ag said there are a lot of reasons behind the volatility.   "You have a scramble taking place right now as we produce enough cheese to meet all of the Q4 demand, and obviously, that requires milk, so different players in this market on given days are trying to jockey positions to get ahead of the trend,

The USDA announced it’s latest effort to promote “fair and competitive markets for producers” while lowering prices for consumers.  The Department is looking to enhance Price Discovery and Fairness in cattle markets under the Packers and Stockyards Act.  USDA senior adviser Andy ...

Forty-seven Democratic members of Congress have asked EPA Administrator Michael Regan to ban the use of the herbicide paraquat.  The lawmakers, led by Texas Congressman Greg Casar, told Regan the chemical is particularly dangerous for farmworkers.  Th...