Pacific Northwest Ag Network

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...

One University of Idaho professor says the wheat production picture globally is very concerning. Dr. Juliet Marshall said most are aware of the impact the war in Ukraine is having on not only getting grain in storage to markets in need, but also on planting this season...

Today we unveil our Helen Tip powered by Helena Agri Enterprises. If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekmedia.com

On Thursday, Dan Newhouse introduced an amendment to the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies FY2023 Appropriations Bill prohibiting the purchase of agricultural land in the U.S. by companies owned, in full or in part, by the People’s Republic of China, Russia, North Korea, or Iran. “...

Sam Tannahill talks about his concerns now that Oregon requires overtime pay for farm workers.   If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekmedia.com

At any point, spring wheat growers could be finished with nationwide planting.  When the week started, growers were 88% done as we started the week and a little heat helped push emergence rates up to 89% nationally. As to condition, USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says it's improving. ...

In today's Farmers Market Minute, Colleen Donovan with the Washington State Farmers Market Association talks about how markets across the state help customers stretch their dollars in a variety of ways.   If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekmedia.com...

Washington's state 4-H livestock judging contest is on the move.  WSU announced Thursday the contest, set for Saturday, will take place at the Grant County Fairgrounds in Moses Lake, WA.  The annual event is typically held in September at the Washington state fairgrounds in Puyallup. “The Grant...

Russia’s war against Ukraine is hitting Americans in the pocketbook and many overseas in the stomach.  Ukrainian grain exports have collapsed, and Western sanctions limit Russian oil and fertilizer exports.  All of this makes U.S. and European...

The National Pork Producers Council welcomed a Supreme Court brief filed by the Biden administration in favor of ag groups regarding California’s Proposition 12.  The state law seeks to ban the sale of pork from pigs that do not meet the state’s arbitrary production standards, including pork from pigs raised on farms outside of California. NPPC assistant vi...

Rural bankers say they anticipate a U.S. recession, according to the latest Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index.  The region's overall reading for June slumped to 49.8, its lowest level since September 2020, and down from May's 57.7.  The i...