Moses Lake

Washington State University’s irrigated winter and spring wheat tour is June 16th in Moses Lake.  In addition to tours of wheat fields, participants will also tour spring canola fields.  Click Here to learn more about the 2025 PNW Cereal Variety Trail Plot Tour.   If you have...

Last week, when Governor Bob Ferguson signed Washington’s $77.9 billion two-year operating budget, eastern Washington irrigators celebrated.  That massive budget includes $44 million for the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Project .  Supporters of this proj...

Washington's new two-year state capital budget passed by the Legislature Sunday includes funding for key water-infrastructure projects throughout the eastern part of the state.  According to 9th District Senator Mark Schoesler and 13th District Senator Judy Warnick, the capital budget provides $69 million for the Columbia River Water Supply Development Program, of which $44 million is for the Odes

Washington State University will host its 2nd annual Washington Meat Up Summit next month.  WSU said the daylong event is designed to allow researchers as well as school officials to engage with producers, processors, restaurateurs and retailers, resource providers, and policy and decision makers to aid in the growth and support of the niche meats sector.  Other p...

Legislation that recently cleared the Washington state House looks to address the shortage of veterinarians across the state.  Sponsor of the legislation, Representative Tom Dent, said House Bill 1705 will set up a task force with Washington State University, industry leaders, existing vets to study the current shortage, and recommend strategies to recruit, train, and retain large animal veterinar

Columbia Basin Railroad announced this week it has donated Segment 3 of its rail line to the Port of Moses Lake.  CBRW said in Tuesday’s announcement this will enhance rail connectivity and support regional economic growth, benefiting the prominent industrial, food processing, and agricultural areas in the region.   Segment 3 s...

Washington state Representative Tom Dent said he’s disappointed that the chair of the House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee will not hold a public hearing on House Bill 1597.  The Moses Lake Republican said his proposal would have allowed Ag employers to select 12 weeks a year to employ workers for up to 50-hours per week before overtime applies.  Dent said des...

Legislation ensuring fuels used for agricultural purposes are exempt from the Climate Commitment Act has been introduced in the Washington House.  Moses Lake Representative Tom Dent, sponsor of House Bill 1912, said the legislation will fix the mistakes made when CCA passed four years ago.   “That is t...

Last week, Washington’s House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee took public testimony on a bill directing the Department of Natural Resources to create Rangeland Fire Protection Associations pilot project.  House Bill 1048, introduced by Moses Lake Republican Tom Dent would allow for public-private partnerships in the form of RFPAs in which citizens would work with fire departments to pr

Since Ag Overtime was implemented in Washington a few years ago, it has been a challenge for producers to adjust.  Many farmers have struggled from a budget standpoint, finding enough workers or both.  In an effort to help Washington’s farm community, state Representative Tom Dent introduced HB 1597 last week, which would allow ag employers to select 12 weeks a year to employ workers for up to 50