Washington Parks proposes farmers pay to use trails - AgMinute for December 10, 2014

The Washington Parks and Recreation Commission iis working on a policy setting fees and terms for when farmers can use long-distance trails otherwise off-limits to motorized vehicles. Click here for the full story

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PNW cherry growers sell record crop - AgMinute for December 9, 2014

Cherry growers from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Utah are invited to the 72nd annual Cherry Institute in Yakima, Wash., Jan. 16. They will discuss the record 2014 crop and ways to sell more cherries. Click here for the full story

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Irrigators seek support in Olympia for stalled project - AgMinute for December 8, 2014

The Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association doesn't want state money, but it is asking for political support for a project to irrigate 14,000 acres in the Odessa Subarea. Click here for the full story

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WSDA sets hearings on rules to trace livestock movements - AgMinute for December 2, 2014

The Washington Department of Agriculture will hold public hearings in Olympia and Ellensburg on two rules related to investigating livestock diseases. Click here for the full story

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Growers thankful USDA gobbling up surplus cranberries - AgMinute for November 28, 2014

The USDA will buy more cranberries than New Jersey grows in a year. For that, a Washington farmer is grateful. Click here for the full story

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Washington agriculture exports rise again - AgMinute for November 21, 2014

Washington agricultural exports rose for a fourth-straight quarter over the previous year, the state's Economic and Revenue Forecast Council reports. Click here for the full story

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WSU Extension fills key livestock position - AgMinute for November 20, 2014

Washington State University Extension has filled a key livestock position in Eastern Washington. Paul Kuber will return to the Northwest in February from Ohio State University. Click here for the full story

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Washington wine grapes to set record - AgMinute for November 5, 2014

Washington wine grape growers are finishing up what will be a record harvest for the third year in a row. Increased acreage and good weather contributed. Click here for the full story

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More than 400 farmworkers file for back pay from Sakuma - AgMinute for November 4, 2014

More than 400 farmworkers are in line to share $500,000 from Sakuma Brothers Farms to settle the largest farmworker class-action suit ever in Washington. Click here for the full story

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Mason bee touted as better pollenizer - AgMinute for November 3, 2014

Mason bees are a better alternative to honey bees for pollinating tree fruit and crops, a group of bee producers who are holding seminars in Wenatchee, Hood River and Stockton say. Click here for the full story

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NW Red, Golden Delicious apples allowed back into China - AgMinute for October 31, 2014

China has reopened its doors to Pacific Northwest Red and Golden Delicious apples just in time to help Washington sell its huge apple crop. Industry leaders hope to sell 500,000 to 1 million boxes of apple there over the next few months. Click here for the full story

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Pacific Northwest pear crop estimate grows - AgMinute for October 20, 2014

The Pacific Northwest pear crop is larger than expected and off to a good start in sales and prices. Some growers likely will make more money on pears than apples this year. Click here for the full story

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Washington Grain Commission assessments will drop by 48 percent - AgMinute for October 27, 2014

The Washington Grain Commission will receive about $4 million in assessments this year because of a smaller crop and lower prices, says CEO Glen Squires. That's down from about $7.6 million last year. Click here for the full story

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Huge apple crop pushes bin production - AgMinute for October 24, 2014

With a huge Washington apple crop, producers of wood and plastic apple bins say they are making more but decline to reveal production levels. KapStone, the region's main cardboard box manufacturer, had no comment. Click here for the full story

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WSU grad named Washington state veterinarian - AgMinute for October 22, 2014

A Washington State University graduate who has spent much of his career in New Mexico has been named Washington state veterinarian, the state Department of Agriculture announced Monday. Click here for the full story

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Ranchers question value of wolf study - AgMinute for October 20, 2014

Washington State University large carnivore laboratory director Rob Wielgus hopes more ranchers will cooperate with his study into wolf and livestock conflicts. But regional ranchers are questioning the value of his research, saying they already know how the conflicts will go. Click here for the full story

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First Cosmic Crisp growers picked - AgMinute for October 14, 2014

Washington State University has chosen the first growers to grow Washington's new Cosmic Crisp apple but they won't be planted until 2017. Click here for the full story

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Apple crop looks even larger than expected - AgMinute for October 8, 2014

Washington's huge apple crop is getting even larger. The key to a good year-long season is keeping shipments moving even at somewhat lower prices, sources say. Click here for the full story

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Otto has popular debut in wheat variety survey - AgMinute for October 7, 2014

A new Washington State University soft white winter wheat variety leaped to the top four varieties planted by the state's wheat farmers in 2014, according to a survey. Click here for the full story

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‘Washington Grown’ TV show begins its second season - AgMinute for October 3, 2014

A television show produced by Washington's agriculture industry begins its second season Oct. 5. "Washington Grown" combines information about farmers with the food scene to highlight the importance of the industry. Click here for the full story

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Weather cuts into Washington wheat crop - AgMinute for October 2, 2014

A cold winter and severely dry conditions shrank wheat production in Washington State, the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service says. Overall winter wheat production was down 19 percent in the Pacific Northwest. Click here for the full story

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Shellfish producers say Willapa Bay spraying effective - AgMinute for September 25, 2014

Willapa Bay clam growers say the initial spraying of the herbicide imazamox was effective against Japanese eelgrass. Environmentalists will seek to stop a second spraying.Click here for the full story

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Washington blueberries look to extend record streak - AgMinute for September 24, 2014

Washington blueberry growers expect a record-setting crop for an eighth straight year. Prices have fallen since 2011's lucrative crop, but farmers say that means blueberries going into more products. Click Here for the full story

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Wash. farmer, daughter on ‘Survivor’ - AgMinute for September 23, 2014

He survived decades as a Washington farmer. Now Dale Wentworth and his daughter, Kelley, find out if they can survive on the CBS reality show "Survivor." Click here for the full story

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WSU greenhouse space gets $5 million boost - AgMinute for September 19, 2014

The Washington Grain Commission donated $5 million to help Washington State University increase greenhouse space. Click here for the full story

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WSDA asks to enforce federal food law - AgMinute for September 18, 2014

The Washington Department of Agriculture is willing to take on enforcing new federal food safety law if Congress funds it. A Washington state lawmaker says he doesn't want to go to the trouble of setting up a state enforcement program unless federal regulators really relinquish control. Click here for the full story

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New wolf pack moves into Washington state - AgMinute for September 17, 2014

A Washington rancher says wolves in the new Profanity Peak pack have been preying on their livestock. Click here for the full story

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Washington cranberry growers like crop, if not market - AgMinute for September 16, 2014

Western Washington's warm summer has cranberry growers on the coast looking forward to a robust fall harvest, but demand for the fruit looks less certain. Click here for the full story

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Counties receive payments for ESA limits - AgMinute for September 5, 2014

Two Southwest Washington counties received compensation for restrictions imposed by the Endangered Species Act, but the compensation fund is exhausted and counties say they still need help. Click here for the full story

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Researcher finds new nematode in Washington state - AgMinute for September 4, 2014

The new nematode, found on several sites in Washington State for the first time, is closely related to a common nematode and isn't any more harmful, said WSU plant pathologist Tim Murray. Click here for the full story

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Rancher left ‘high and dry’ by canceled wolf hunt - AgMinute for September 3, 2014

The Stevens County sheep rancher said he was left "high and dry" when state wildlife officials called off a wolf hunt, forcing him to move his flock to keep it from being attacked. Click here for the full story

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Pacific Northwest pear forecast increases - AgMinute for August 28, 2014

The Pacific Northwest pear crop is about 1.5 million boxes larger than forecast in May but still smaller than last year's record which should offset loss of exports to Russia. Click here for the full story

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Large apple crop holds down processing prices - AgMinute for August 27, 2014

Big apple crops in the United States and Europe will be challenged by Russia's boycott. Washington growers hope weather stays good for maximum quality. Click here for the full story

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Wash. state OKs killing wolves in vicinity of sheep - AgMinute for August 22, 2014

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is allowing Hunters, Wash., rancher Dave Dashiell and staff to kill wolves in the Huckleberry pack that approach Dashiell's flock of 1,800 sheep. Wolf attacks have continued following depredations despite nonlethal measures, according to the department. Click here for the full story

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Ranchers blame lack of info for wolf kills - AgMinute for August 19, 2014

The Stevens County Cattlemen's Association says 14 sheep killed by a collared wolf in the Huckleberry pack could have been avoided by more information from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Click here for the full story

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Record Washington apple crop forecast - AgMinute for August 14, 2014

The Washington apple industry is forecasting a record 140.2-million-box crop. A three-month harvest is just starting. Having enough pickers and enough good weather for harvest are concerns. So is disruption of markets because of Russia's ban. Click here for the full story

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Russian ban hurts Washington apples - AgMinute for August 12, 2014

Loss of Russia as an export market puts the squeeze on the Washington apple industry to find other buyers for about $12 million worth of apples. Click here for the full story

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Apple commission increases export promotions - AgMinute for August 11, 2014

The Washington Apple Commission has increased apple export promotions 15 percent to help sell this fall's crop, which is expected to be large. Click here for the full story

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Labor Dept. renews, expands litigation against berry farm - AgMinute for August 6, 2014

The U.S. Labor Department is pursuing a new lawsuit against a Washington blueberry farm that it battled in court last year, and has expanded the litigation to include affiliated companies. Click here for the full story

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Commission denies conservation groups’ wolf petition - AgMinute for August 5, 2014

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission has denied conservation groups' petition adding requirements for ranchers to receive compensation for depredations of livestock by wolves or before the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife kills problem wolves. The groups plan to appeal to Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, says Center for Biological Diversity western wolf manager Amaroq Weiss. Click here for the full story

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Aphid numbers on the rise - AgMinute for July 25, 2014

Aphid populations are increasing this year on small grain fields, Washington State University researchers say. Because the insect pests are sporadic, it's hard for researchers and farmers to determine the level of infestation at which a grower should consider the cost of applying insecticides. Click here for the full story

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WSU partners with company to market cereal varieties - AgMinute for July 23, 2014

Washington State University will partner with Washington Genetics, LLC. The newly formed company, owned by Washington Grain Commission board member Mike Miller and his wife Marci. will market WSU varieties, manage royalties and look for new opportunities, says WSU associate dean of research Jim Moyer. Click here for the full story

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Two more mobile slaughter units vandalized - AgMinute for July 18, 2014

Vandals have apparently damaged more mobile slaughter units in the Northwest, calling it “sabotage” in the name of animal rights. Click here for the full story

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Group urges support for besieged berry farm - AgMinute for July 17, 2014

Supporters of a large Skagit County, Wash., berry farm say it has been unfairly targeted by union activists and that other farms should come to its aid. Click here for the full story

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PNW cherries hit record June shipments - AgMinute for July 2, 2014

Cherry growers in the Northwest have logged the best June in years as weather has cooperated in producing a large, good-quality crop. Click here for the full story

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Kit tests available for Little Cherry Disease - AgMinute for June 30, 2014

Little Cherry Disease may be increasing or just being noticed more in north Central Washington, experts say. A new test kit can help growers know if their trees have the virus. Click here for the full story

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Chelan Fresh tests Rockit apples - AgMinute for June 27, 2014

A major Washington apple marketer, Chelan Fresh Marketing, is testing a small apple from New Zealand sold in convenient snack-portioned tubes and another variety that's an offspring of Honeycrisp. Click here for the full story

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Tree fruit groups approve merger - AgMinute for June 26, 2014

Four tree fruit associations in Washington have voted to consolidate for one voice and to end duplication of some services. They are timing it to coincide with the Sept. 1 start of the 2014 apple crop. Click here for the full story

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WSDA hunts for wine grape pests - AgMinute for June 25, 2014

The Washington Department of Agriculture is on the hunt for several species of moths and a couple other pests that could wreak havoc with the state's wine industry. Click here for the full story

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State cancels ag labor shortage estimates - AgMinute for June 24, 2014

The state of Washington has canceled the only monthly measurement of seasonal agricultural labor shortages right when tree fruit growers are concerned about having enough pickers for large cherry and apple crops. Click here for the full story

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Smaller PNW pear harvest forecast - AgMinute for June 2, 2014

Pacific Northwest pear growers anticipate a slightly early, lighter fall crop at stable prices and hope for increased sales to China. Click here for the full story

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Boom time for fruit packing upgrades - AgMinute for May 30, 2014

New high-tech packing lines are a paradigm shift in cherries and needed to handle volume. Apple lines also are upgraded and expanded to keep up with volume. Click here for the full story

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ICE audit finds mismatches at Crunch Pak - AgMinute for May 15, 2014

Crunch Pak is trying to help workers amend I-9 forms to save their jobs at the company's Cashmere, Wash., plant. Click here for the full story

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Washington shippers tighten apple flow - AgMinute for May 14, 2014

Washington apple shippers are slowing sales to have enough fruit to last through summer and cover an anticipated late harvest in Michigan and New York. Click here for the full story

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Washington snowpack 107 percent of normal - AgMinute for May 13, 2014

The snow survey office in Mount Vernon, Wash., reports the state's snowpack increased at higher mountain elevations in April but melted at mid and lower elevations. Click here for the full story

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Ponderosa pines show signs of foliar disease - AgMinute for May 12, 2014

Ponderosa pines in Eastern Washington are showing signs of foliar diseases. Washington State University Regional Extension Specialist Steve McConnell says small forest owners don't need to remove affected trees. Click here for the full story 

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Irrigation project aborted by high river flow - AgMinute for May 7, 2014

An effort to place a small coffer dam of sand bags into the Columbia River to improve an irrigation system was curtailed May 5 because of high river flows. Orchards have water now but could run short in summer. Click here for the full story

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WSU launches new beef conference - AgMinute for May 2, 2014

YAKIMA, Wash. — The continuing trend of branded beef and cutting-edge science in genomics and nutrition will be highlighted at a new Washington State University Beef Production Conference. Click here for the full story

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Wash. tree fruit labor outlook tight - AgMinute for April 25, 2014

Much of Washington's seasonal agricultural employment occurs in the tree fruit industry and it may be extra short this year, early numbers show. Click here for the full story

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Agriculture may contribute to air pollution, state says - AgMinute for April 16, 2014

Agricultural ammonia and nitrogen from vehicles in certain weather conditions are believed to be causing high nitrate levels that can be harmful near Yakima, Wash. Farm fertilizers and dairies might be sources of the ammonia. Click here for the full story

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Small town to get grape crushing plant - AgMinute for April 15, 2014

A wine grape crushing facility is being planned for George, Wash., which will boost city revenues and may spark development of an industrial park. Click here for the full story

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WSU puts decision-making tools online for farmers - AgMinute for April 11, 2014

Online tools from Washington State University will help farmers access research information to make grain variety selections and manage nitrogen fertilizer. Drew Lyon, leader of the WSU Extension Small Grains research team, welcomes grower feedback. Click here for the full story

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Fruit trees blooming early in Central Washington - AgMinute for April 9, 2014

Warm temperatures, particularly at night, are hastening blossom of Central Washington fruit trees and allowing more time for frost damage. Click here for the full story

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Washington wants to add 100,000 ag acres by 2020 - AgMinute for April 8, 2014

Washington hopes to add 100,000 more acres of working farmland by the year 2020. Natural resources assessment section supervisor Kirk Cook says the state wants to combat losses of prime farmland to development, particularly in western Washington. Click here for the full story

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Dairies, ranchers beset by too many elk - AgMinute for April 3, 2014

A state senator has called a meeting to address a problem of elk consuming forage on dairies and ranches meant for feeding dairy and beef cattle. Click here for the full story

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Apple commission gains MAP money - AgMinute for March 19, 2014

The Washington Apple Commission will receive more federal export promotion money in the next fiscal year and adopts an increased budget. Click here for the full story

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Agencies sign contracts for Odessa irrigation water - AgMinute for March 13, 2014

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Washington Department of Ecology and East Columbia Basin Irrigation District have signed contracts to bring more water from the Columbia River through the East Low Canal to irrigators. The irrigation district is considering options to make the cost to landowners more affordable. Click here for the full story

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Apples continue good sales pace - AgMinute for March 12, 2014

Imported apples aren't likely to be too much competition against domestic sales in the second half of the season, a Washington apple marketer says. Click here for the full story

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More canned pears needed, expert says - AgMinute for March 4, 2014

More pears may be needed to save the canned pear industry as consumers continue to prefer fresh over canned pears and growers make good money on both, a canned pear promoter says. Click here for the full story

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Tree fruit groups work on merger details - AgMinute for February 27, 2014

Four Washington tree fruit organizations may be closer to becoming one for a clearer lobbying voice. Click here for the full story
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H-2A can attract domestic workers - AgMinute for February 18, 2014

Pacific Northwest tree fruit growers are using more H-2A visa foreign guestworkers but they shouldn't forget program benefits can help attract domestic workers, a labor association director says. Click here for the full story

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Virus concerns wine grape growers - AgMinute for February 17, 2014

KENNEWICK, Wash. — Washington’s wine grape industry continues expanding in acreage and tonnage, but there is concern about a relatively new disease — the Grapevine red blotch. Click here for the full story

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Value, opportunity are top priorities - AgMinute for January 22, 2014

Clarkston, Wash., farmer Steve Claassen is the new chair of the Washington Grain Commission. The commission is committed to getting the most value out of its resource and creating opportunities for growers, Claassen said. His priorities include strengthening partnerships and increasing markets. Click here for the full story

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Little cherry disease research expanded - AgMinute for January 10, 2014

Washington and Oregon commissions have allocated $765,000 from grower assessments for cherry research in 2014 with a new focus on little cherry disease. Click here for the full story

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Grand Coulee Dam repairs scheduled - AgMinute for January 9, 2014

Grand Coulee Dam managers say one of the pump-generating units damaged by a November fire won't return to service until the end of the year, but the remaining units will be back in service this spring and provide plenty of irrigation water to the region's farms. Click here for the full story

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H-2A minimum wage drops - AgMinute for January 8, 2014

H-2A minimum wage has dropped in Washington and Oregon because the supply of labor was better in 2013 than 2012, the Washington Farm Labor Association says. Click here for the full story

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‘Washington Grown’ TV show expands to PBS - AgMinute for January 6, 2014

The "Washington Grown" TV show begins airing on PBS affiliates beginning Jan. 6. The show blends education about farms with features on area food-related businesses. Click here for the full story

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New York slips to No. 3 apple producer? - AgMinute for January 3, 2014

New York may be slipping to Michigan in apple production, but the final count won't be known for several months. Click here for the full story

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