Pacific Northwest Ag Network

The USDA is scheduled to release a slew of crop forecasts, including one for the corn and soybean crop Friday morning.   “Really not expecting any big changes that crop seems to be pretty well set at this point," noted USDA Outlook chairman Mark Jekanowsk.  But the marke...

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is trying to address a wolf problem in the southeast corner of the state.  Back on September 24th, WDFW Director Kelly Susewind authorized the lethal removal of one adult wolf from the Couse pack.  The ord...

The 2024 season had its fair share of victories and struggles for canola growers.  Unfortunately, when it was all said and done, the struggles outnumbered the wins.  Karen Sowers, Executive Director of the Pacific Northwest Canola Association said the yields were disappointing.   “You know ...

With birds migrating across the Northwest, the Oregon Department of Agriculture said now is a good time to remind bird owners to be mindful of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.  Detections of HPAI in US poultry have been ongoing since 2022, with more detections often occurring during fall and spring months as wild birds continue to spread the virus during seasonal migrations.  Over th... Read Mor

What's being done to improve the trade picture for local tree fruit growers?  And what more can be done?  We put those questions before Mark Powers with the Northwest Horticultural Council.   If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsqu...

Marine biotoxin levels have fallen below alert levels in mussels on Oregon’s south coast.  Because of that, the Oregon Department of Agriculture and Department of Fish and Wildlife announced harvest is now open.  Sport harvest of mussels has opened from Cape Blanco to the California border, which means sport mussel harvesting is now open along the entire Oregon Coast.  Sport razor clam harves... R

U.S. Wheat Associates is running a new campaign, promoting the high quality of American wheat and highlight how it reaches global customers.  Ralph Loos, U.S. Wheat Associates Director of Communications, said they created a video series project that will serve as a tool to educate and highlight American wheat to buyers worldwide.   “...

USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service recently announced its latest investments in the McGovern Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, and Food for Progress.   “All told, it will be over $466 million, but govern Dole is $248,000,000 to nine countries, while Food for Progress is $218,000,000 of that to seven countries,” said Under Secretary for Trade and foreign Agricultur

USDA's enhanced animal disease traceability rule, including visual and electronic identification tags for cattle and bison, is scheduled to go into effect early next month.  Some stakeholders have expressed privacy concerns, but Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack doesn’t think producers need to be worried.   “I don...

The National Association of Conservation District announced the launch of its application period for the 2025 Friends of NACD District Grants Program.  This year, NACD and Scotts Miracle-Gro are partnering to award the 2025 Friends of NACD District Grants Program.  No...

There's just a few days left to apply for the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s 2025 Specialty Crop Block Grant.  This grant aims to support projects that enhance the competitiveness of Washington's specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops.  Grant awards ...

October is Farm to School Month and many Oregon schools will be taking part.  One goal of the Farm to School program is to get locally grown and caught food to kids in schools.   "Basically, the program works by helping connect producers and ranchers and processors to schools across the state to help them get their products into schools," said Amy Gilroy with the Oregon Department of Agr

As the state of Idaho’s population increases, it’s the cities that see the most growth, and many of these people are not familiar with the Ag industry.  Cameron Mulrony, Executive Vice President of the Idaho Cattle Association says it’s important to share with these new Idahoans, and anyone not connected to the farming industry, the important role the cattle sector plays in the Gem state.   “And j

Last week, USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced that USDA is partnering with farmers and small businesses to expand access to clean energy and lower energy bills through the Rural Energy for America Program.  The USDA announced $104 million in loans and grants to support over 300 clean energy projects in 34 states.  That in...

USDA announced an additional $250 million in automatic payments for distressed direct and guaranteed farm loan borrowers.  This step continues USDA’s commitment to keeping farmers and ranchers financially viable and supporting agricultural companies.   “USDA ...

Dairy demand has slowly picked up throughout 2024.  Cory Geiger, lead dairy economist at CoBank, said lower supplies have resulted in higher prices.   “A lot of dynamics moving around the market right now," he noted.  "Early in the year...

Tractor Supply Company surprised five high school FFA chapters across the country with the funds needed for students to attend the 97th Annual National FFA Convention and Expo.  The convention will take place later this month in Indianapolis.  It’...

Soil health is the foundation for a long-term productive and profitable operation. Regenerative agriculture can be the next step in protecting and boosting soil health, sustainability practices, and overall ROI.  James Maude, senior vice president of Acadian Plant Health, said Acadian biostimulants are formed to solve new challenges growers face in modern agriculture.  ...

The University of Illinois says the ag sector is closely watching the fertilizer markets this week because of the ongoing war in the Middle East.  Following months of tight supplies, global nitrogen values started rising last week.   ...

With the expiration of the 2018 Farm Bill on September 30th, the question running through farm county is what programs have stopped and what programs continue?   “Some programs that are called orphan programs that effective September 30th basically stopped," said Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack.  "There a...

What changes occurred in global total factor production, or TFP, for agriculture over a decades time?   “During 2013 to 2022 average annual global TFP growth fell to only 0.74%,” noted Tom Thompson of Virginia Tech University.  He said that number...