Water

Many in farm country know the type, and extent of, conservation practices being employed by farmers.   “But the next logical step is to understand why producers are adopting or not adopting conservation practices.”   Dan Mullarkey with NRCS said to try to answer that question, USDA surveyed 34,000 crop producers as well as livestock confinement operators this spring and summer.  And the USDA has j

The summer heat is finally here in the Pacific Northwest.  And while that’s good news for area commodities, it can be a problem for farmers and ag workers. Melissa Ploeckelman with the National Farm Medicine Center said the days are long, the sun is intense, which means the possibility of heat stress and heat stroke increases as the temperature goes up.  She said...

With temperatures warming up and kids soon out of school for another summer, area rivers and streams will become more popular in the coming weeks. Catherine Caruso, with the Forest Service, said many rivers across the Pacific Northwest have higher flows than normal for this time of year, thanks to recent rain ...

In Oregon, a new state law took effect Friday June 3rd, in an effort to crack down on illegal marijuana and hemp grows using water intended for legitimate agricultural operations. Alyssa Rash, with Oregon’s Water Resources Department, said there are now requirements for water haulers and suppliers to track to whom the water is going. “ ...

A new report from the Environmental Integrity Project calls for eliminating agricultural exemptions for the Clean Water Act. They want the Act fixed because it’s missed the original goal of getting 100% of American waters fishable and swimmable by 1983. Acc ...

Central Washington’s Quincy-Columbia Basin Irrigation District plans to start filling the West Canal on Wednesday, March 16th, barring any unforeseen scheduling requirements. Priming will continue on smaller canals and laterals through the first week in April, depending on the weather and the demand for water deliveries. T ...

Oregon State University Extension and the High Desert Food and Farm Alliance are inviting Central Oregon producers to a hands-on irrigation workshop on Thursday February 17th from 9 a. m. to noon. The workshop will take place at the Deschutes County Extension office at 3800 SW Airport Way in Redmond ...

Farmers and Ranchers have until through the end of Monday, February 7th, to tell the EPA how proposed changes to the Waters of the U.S. rule will impact their operation. Courtney Briggs, American Farm Bureau Federation Senior Director of Congressional Relations, says it’s important the EPA receives comments directly from farmers and ranchers. " ...

Oregon FFA President Isabel D’Acquisto says one of the biggest issues impacting the farming community across Oregon, especially in the southern portion of the state is water…or a lack of it.

The summer was one for the record book here in the Pacific Northwest. But despite unprecedented heat and drought, one industry that fared very well was sugar beets. Brad Griff, Executive Director of the Idaho Sugar Beet Growers Association, says he was pleasantly surprised how well the beets weathered everything 2021 threw their way ...