Odessa critics — Washington AgMinute for March 28, 2013

Retired Washington State University agricultural economists Norm Whittlesey and Walt Butcher say the plan to bring Columbia River water to Odessa area farms doesn't make financial sense.

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Wheat university — Washington AgMinute for March 26, 2013

Washington wheat farmers have the chance to sign up for free "university" classes. Wheat University, presented by the Washington Association of Wheat Growers in cooperation with Washington State University, will begin at 9 a.m. May 8 at WSU's Lind Dryland Research Station in Lind.

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Incubating farms — Washington AgMinute for March 19, 2013

A farmland preservation group hopes to acquire 148 acres near Rochester, Wash., and develop a farm incubator there. South of the Sound Community Farm Land Trust is one of several groups working to preserve productive agricultural land in the region.

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Export education — Washington AgMinute for March 18, 2013

The Washington Department of Agriculture is offering free seminars to help agriculture-related businesses build export connections. Participating businesses will meet one-on-one with marketing experts from China, Japan, Korea and Mexico.

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Safer salmon — Washington AgMinute for March 15, 2013

Pesticide concentrations have generally declined in several of Washington state's salmon-bearing streams flowing into Puget Sound and the Columbia River, officials say.

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Regal Gala apples — Washington AgMinute for March 14, 2013

More Gala trees are being planted by the Washington apple industry than any other variety but Honeycrisp is coming on strong, according to a survey by Tree Top Inc.

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Apple maggot money — Washington AgMinute for March 12, 2013

A bill allowing the state Department of Agriculture to transfer money to local pest boards to help them fight apple maggot has passed the state House.

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Leadership attracts leader — Washington AgMinute for March 11, 2013

Jim Moyer, Washington State University's new Agricultural Research Center director, says he was attracted by the school's strong leadership. "The dean and associate deans have really done some innovative things coming through tough times, and have lobbied for programs for innovation," he said.

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EPA deals with dairies — Washington AgMinute for March 8, 2013

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and five Yakima Valley dairies have reached legal agreements to reduce nitrates and improve water quality.

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Eldridge to retire — Washington AgMinute for March 7, 2013

Washington state veterinarian Leonard Eldridge has announced plans to retire July 1. Washington ranchers say accessibility was Eldridge’s hallmark.


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Asparagus bonanza — Washington AgMinute for March 6, 2013

Good money awaits growers in asparagus but it's hard to get farmers interested because pickers are hard to find, an industry expert says.

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USDA readies grants — Washington AgMinute for March 4, 2013

State agriculture departments expect to award about the same amount of money in specialty crop grants in fiscal year 2013 as they did in 2012. The departments have received word from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that $55 million will be available in 2013.

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