This year, the state Legislature passed SB 777, a now, the ODA is starting the process to update the administrative rules that will put this law into action
Oregon voters could decide whether to raise the bar on the initiative petition process. Currently, paid signature gatherers focus on the metro area, where it's easy to fill petition sheets. But state Senator Todd Nash said that ignores rural Oregon.
"Getting i...
The T-Bone steak is a step closer to becoming Oregon's State steak. Supporters of the legislation says Oregon’s state vegetable is the potato, so why not make the T-Bone the state steak?
"Mr. President, thank you for this rare opportunity. The stakes have ne...
Oregon’s AgriStress Helpline is running out of money. Northeastern Oregon State Representative Bobby Levy said the 24-7 crisis line provides a critical service to rural communities.
"Farmers, ranchers, loggers, commercial fishers experience significantly higher suicide rates than any other profession.”
Eastern Or...
With the 2023 Oregon legislative session underway in Salem, ag groups across the state will watch a host of issues in the weeks ahead. Matt McElligott, President-elect of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association says one of the issues they will watch very closely, and with some concern, is the roll out of Ag overtime.
“Coupl...
Over the holidays, Alexis Taylor officially changed roles from Director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture, to the USDA’s Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. And many in the farming community say the move is good news for Oregon.
“She w...
With conversations over the 2023 Farm Bill set to begin in earnest in the coming months, many in the farming community are asking if the farm portions of the legislation and nutrition segments be separated. Todd Nash, President of the Oregon Cattleman’s Association said he doesn’t have an issue with those nutritional elements, such as SNAP and WIC being included in the Farm Bill.
But what he ..
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...
It’s a story that livestock producers are familiar with up and down the west coast; a widespread hay shortage, or difficulty finding enough quality hay. Todd Nash, President of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, said there are a number of factors impacting Oregon growers; most notably, ongoing drought.
“Th
...
Ask industry experts and they’ll tell you the challenging economic conditions Oregon cattle producers are facing predate inflation, the pandemic and the trade war. Todd Nash, President of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association said their struggles started seven years ago.
“Wh
...