Ranching In Washington Has A Variety Of Challenges

Earlier this year, the Washington State Department of Agriculture released the first portion of its Ag Viability study, which showed the Evergreen State is 50th in the nation when it comes to profitability.

Typically when talking about the challenges before Washington Ag, it’s tree fruit, or drylands that are highlighted.  But the livestock sector is struggling as well; despite high beef prices and strong consumer demand.

Chelsea Hajny, Executive Vice President of the Washington Cattlemen's Association was very quick to point out that most ranchers feel blessed to live in the Evergreen State.

“[However], the voting body and the governing decisions are very liberally biased," Hajny said.  "And there's some regulations and some things that have come forward that make it challenging and more expensive to do business in general, but especially agricultural business."

Voters Often Don't See How Their Choices Impact Family Farms

She added the farming community is always working to find the happy middle, but she admitted that can be a struggle in Washington.  When it comes to changing the business climate in Washington, or at least making it more Ag friendly, Hajny said education is key.

“And that goes both ways, us learning about how their lives are lived," Hajny said.  "But, labor costs, the increasing labor costs, everyone votes for a higher minimum wage, but that has taken a huge toll in the agricultural community. You know, the Carbon Commitment Act and all the taxes on fuel. If you drive an electric car in Seattle, you don't think about that. But when it comes to getting your food to the grocery store, Or are you sure see that price hike? And that, you know, those kind of things have had devastating impacts on our farmers and ranchers."

Changes Need To Take Place

Hajny added the cost to do business in Washington is astronomically high, and when Olympia adds government regulations on top of that, it’s a recipe making it very challenging to keep an Ag business open.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com