Pacific Northwest Ag Network

Over the weekend, the United Nations Secretary-General announced an extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative.  The announcement came at the last minute as the agreement was set to expire.  The Initiative facilitates the safe navigation for the exports of grain and related foodstuffs and fertilizers, including ammonia, from designated Ukrainian seaports.  During ...

America’s top food and ag organizations representing thousands of farmers, ranchers, producers, and workers sent a letter to Congress recently urging action to improve ag exports.  More than 50 of the most influential food and ag groups urged lawmakers to pass Trade Promotion Authority.  TPA is regula ...

A new law in South Dakota makes it harder to file nuisance complaints or lawsuits against an agricultural operation.  South Dakota Searchlight said it will also limit the amount of monetary awards.  After legislators approved the bill earlier this winter, Governor Kristi Noem signed it at a Mitchell, South Dakota, implement dealership last week.  She said agricult...

U.S. Wheat Associates and the National Association of Wheat Growers are disappointed that the Surface Transportation Board approved the merger of the Canadian Pacific Railway and Kansas City Southern Railroad.  The organizations believe the STB has given a green light to rail consolidation without regard for the consequences on agricultural shippers from a lack of competition in the U.S. rail s...

More than 400 organizations affirmed the support of the pesticide regulatory system under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, or FIFRA, in a letter to lawmakers this week.  The letter is in response to recently introduced legislation that would undermine the science-based standards contained within our nation's pesticide law.  This is...

Mexico’s Agriculture Ministry recently voiced concerns regarding the proposed voluntary “Product of USA” label effort.   Announced by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack last week, the label claim would be used on meat, poultry and egg products only when derived from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the United States.   Mexico's Agri...

Earlier this week, senators Tammy Baldwin and Susan Collins introduced the bipartisan Healthy Drinking Water Affordability Act, or The Healthy H2O Act.  Baldwin, a Wisconsin Democrat and Collins, a Maine Republican, say the bill will provide water testing and treatment technology grants directly to individuals and non-profits in rural communities.  Current...

Earlier this week, the Surface Transportation Board approved the Kansas City Southern Railway Company acquisition by Canadian Pacific Railway Limited, with conditions.  The decision includes an unprecedented seven-year oversight period and contains many conditions designed to mitigate environmental impacts, preserve competition, protect railroad workers, and promote efficient passenger rail.  Th..

The Consumer Price Index rose 0.4% in February on a seasonally adjusted basis, after increasing 0.5% in January.  Over the last 12 months, the all-items index increased 6.0% before seasonal adjustment.  The food index increased 0.4% in February, and...

The latest federal data shows that in 2021, the U.S. food and beverage manufacturing sector employed 1.7 million people, or more than 1.1% of all U.S. nonfarm employment.  Within the U.S. manufacturing sector, food and beverage manufacturing employees accounted for the largest share of employees, 15.4%.  Acco...