Oregon

Oregon berry farmers will start hiring for summer in just a few months, but some worry new federal immigration policies will lead to a labor shortage.  Narendra Varma grows a variety of vegetables and berries at his Sherwood farm and said it’s always a challenge to ramp up hiring ahead of summer.  But this seas...

According to NASS, honey production in the United States dipped 4% last year to 134 million pounds.  Nationwide, there were 2.6 million colonies producing honey in 2024, a 3% increase from 2023.  However, yield per colony averaged 51.7 pounds, down 6% y...

After Tuesday’s 67-32 vote, former Oregon Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer was sworn in as the 30th U.S. Secretary of Labor.   “I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity to continue serving my country, and I’ll work tirelessly to help President Trump put the American Worker First.  This administration has a ...

On Wednesday, Lawmakers from across the Northwest, including central Washington’s Dan Newhouse, eastern Washington’s Michael Baumgartner, eastern Oregon’s Cliff Bentz, and northern Idaho’s Russ Fulcher introduced legislation aimed at protecting the Lower Snake River dams.  The three bills include:   ...

Bill Perry, the new President and CEO of AgWest Farm Credit, is a familiar name to the Northwest farming community.  Perry has been with AgWest for over 20 years, starting in rural Montana, and now working in Spokane, WA.  Looking at the Northwest farm economy, he noted that while several commodities are struggling, there are a few bright spots, such as cattle and dairy.  Despite the host ... Read

Last week, Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced that USDA is embarking on a new era to mitigate wildfire risk.   Secretary Rollins, USDA Forest Service Chief Randy Moore, and Sierra Pacific Industry CEO Mark Emmerson announced a $75 million Stewardship Agreement for constructing and maintaining strategically placed fuel breaks in national forests in Oregon and California.  ...

Oregon farmers say one of the biggest challenges when it comes to state regulations is how departments, in many ways, write their own laws.  To help reign that in, state Representative Anna Scharf introduced House Bill 2692.  The western Oregon Republican said the state needs an overhaul of the state’s Administrative rule making process.   "But our agencies hav...

The value of trout sold and distributed, excluding eggs, across Idaho totaled $44.5 million in 2024, up 21% year-over year.  Idaho accounted for 41% of the total value of fish sold and distributed.  The total value of fish in both Washington and Oregon was withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.  NASS noted the to...

New research from Oregon State University shows wild birds continue to be the biggest carriers of avian influenza.  Wastewater detections of bird flu are highest in or near communities with important wild bird habitats, according to the new OSU study, meaning detections of the virus in wastewater does not automatically signal human cases.  Multnom...

On Wednesday, federal officials killed a wolf in Oregon, amid growing concerns about public safety.  According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, several unsuccessful attempts were made to deter OR 158, before the lethal action was taken as a last resort.  This re...