Pacific Northwest Ag Network

In an effort to strengthen the Washington farm workforce and encourage people to seek jobs and in ag labor, and stay in ag labor, the state recently rolled out a new program designed to improve managers.  Ofelio Borges with the Washington State Department of Agriculture said currently many of the people in supervisory roles were not given the leadership training needed to ensure workers are treate

It’s a new group of ag organizations, with a goal of tackling drought concerns threatening both livelihoods and potentially the food supply.  The newly formed Oregon Agricultural Water Alliance include the Oregon Farm Bureau, the state Cattleman’s Association, Dairy Farmers Association, Water Resources Congress, as well as the Oregon Association of Nurseries.  The OAN’s Jeff Ston...

The International Grains Council raised its outlook for total global grain production in the 2022-2023 marketing year, while also increasing its forecast for ending stockpiles.  Wheat and coarse grain production are now forecast at 2.255 billi...

The USDA is increasing efforts to improve forest resiliency through a variety of programs and approaches. "At the U.S. Department of Agriculture, we believe that with innovate policies and incentives, climate smart reforestation and forest management can be a meaningful tool to increasing forest health," said Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack. ...

Local USDA farm service agency service areas now are accepting nominations for FSA county committee members. "We have an election every year; consists of a nominee period; the nomination period runs till August 1st," said FSA Deputy Administrator Marcus Graham.  He...

U.S. imports of honey continue to rise as American production declines.  New data from Economic Research Service shows imports have exceeded domestic honey production since 2005 and accounted for 74% of total U.S. honey supplies in 2021.  Over th...

Crop producers have until July 15th to submit their crop acreage report to their local USDA Farm Agency office.  And as Farm Service Agency Deputy Administrator Scott Marlow noted, there is also a new option available for producers to access their farm records and acreage maps. ...

Last week, the House and Senate each passed the Keep Kids Fed Act, but the bill had to return to the House because the Senate version was slightly different.  The Hagstrom Report said the House passed the Senate’s version of the bill that requires the re-establishment of the reduced price category that Rand Paul of Kentucky insisted on including in the Senate version. The agreeme...

Last week, Clean Fuels Alliance America touted the benefits of biodiesel when it comes to the price at the pump to President Joe Biden and leaders in Congress. In a letter to the president and lawmakers, the organization says U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel producers are working to extend fuel supplies and provide relief at the pump to American families...

Agriculture groups expressed disappointment regarding a Supreme Court decision denying consideration of the case Monsanto v. Hardeman, which pertains to state glyphosate health warnings. A coalition of groups issued a joint statement regarding the decision Tuesday, including the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Association o

Potato Sustainability Alliance will host their first-ever Summer Symposium in Boise in July.  John Mesko, PSA Executive Director said the purpose of the four-day event is to move the industry forward when it comes to quantifying and reporting sustainability. “...

The U.S. has tariffs in place on over $300 billion worth of Chinese imports.  U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said those duties give the U.S. significant leverage on China, making them useful when negotiating with the Asian nation. Bloom...

As we continue through the heart of this year's growing season, Scott Parrish with Agrasyst shares what he sees, and his expectations for 2023 and beyond.   If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaag...

On Wednesday, the Senate Ag Committee passed the Cattle Price Discovery Act, which prepares the legislation for a full Senate vote.  Todd Nash, President of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association said they recognize there is a problem in the industry, but he’s not sure if this legislation is the right fix.  He agreed that...

Kylie Baldwin, the 21-22 Oregon FFA Reporter says more schools should look at placing ag education in the general classroom.   If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com...

Over the objections of most Republicans, the House approved a USDA special investigator to monitor meat industry competition.  During last week’s 221-204 seven Republicans backed and four Democrats opposed a USDA special investigator to enforce the Packers and Stockyards Act, the anchor for a package of Ag bills. “Crack...

Oregon’s U.S. Senators are praising plans by the Biden Administration to increase federal wildland firefighter pay to a minimum of 15 dollars an hour.  The President is also establishing a wildland firefighter health and wellbeing program. Senato...

The public comment period has been extended for USDA's look at competition, supply chain concerns and capacity expansion within the nation's fertilizer industry.  With comment accepted now until July 15th. "This extension of time under the RFI, we think, is going to be helpful to really highlight and facilitate additional comments regarding that capacity expansion," said AMS' Andy Green

A report from Iowa State University says fertilizer prices are four times higher than they were in 2020.  While crop prices have doubled during the same period, higher fertilizer prices are contributing to rising costs in farm country. Iowa’...

Ukraine's farmers are desperately trying to get what's left of last year's crops moved into export and to find room for the upcoming harvest, while also fighting a war. During a recent meeting at the UN, leaders from a variety of nations held a round table meeting on the Ukraine situation...

On Thursday, the Washington state Department of Agriculture announced that nearly $3 million is on the table for farm to school efforts.  The hope is to get more locally grown food on the lunch trays of schools across the state.  WSDA is now accepting applications for the 2022-2023.  Applica...