Organic checkoff draws supporters, detractors AgMinute for May 21, 2015

The Organic Trade Association has petitioned USDA for a checkoff program for organic after more than 5,000 organic farms and businesses weighed in on the proposal and supported it 2 to 1. Click here for the full story.
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Roza District keeps looking for water; forecast drops May 20, 2015

Summer water supply in Washington's Yakima Basin is now forecast at 44 percent of normal because of drought. A major irrigation district continues its quest for water to lease. Click here for full story

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State agency: Water prices high, supplies tight - AgMinute for April 28, 2015

A state agency projects that water will be expensive and hard to come by in the drought-stricken Yakima Basin. Click here for the full story

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WSU livestock specialist fights false food fears with education - AgMinute for April 24, 2015

Washington State University Extension northeast regional livestock specialist Paul Kuber took over a key position in February. Kuber wants to provide processors and ranchers with the information they need to make important decisions. Click here for the full story

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Water managers respond to deepening Yakima Basin drought - AgMinute for April 23, 2015

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has started drawing down Yakima Basin reservoirs and an irrigation district is rationing water — two signs the drought has taken hold. Click here for the full stories

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DOE rewriting rules for feedlot permits - AgMinute for April 21, 2015

Washington Department of Ecology is rewriting rules for CAFO permits. Click here for the full story

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Washington Senate and House agree on rail fertilier hauling - AgMinute for April 17, 2015

The Washington Senate and House have agreed that trains hauling nitrogen fertilizer won’t have to add crew members, a proposal that farm lobbyists warned would have raised freight costs for growers. For more information visit www.capitalpress.com

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Drought outlook deepens in Yakima Basin - AgMinute for April 7, 2015

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation reports the drought outlook is worsening in Yakima Basin. Click here for the full story

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Apple issues continue in Mexico, China - AgMinute for April 6, 2015

Washington apple shippers are trying to maintain access into Mexico and are waiting on process for the final green light for all varieties into China. Click here for the full story

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Apple commission not eager to promote clubs - AgMinute for April 1, 2015

An idea of promoting club apple varieties wasn't embraced by the Washington Apple Commission at a recent meeting. Click here for the full story

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Warm winter increases chances of foot rot, researcher says - AgMinute for March 23, 2015

A warm winter has increased the chances of strawbreaker foot rot impacting wheat appearing, a Washington State University Extension plant pathologist says. Click here for the full story

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Wanapum Dam repairs nearing completion - AgMinute for March 20, 2015

Repairs on a cracked Columbia River dam in the center of Washington state are wrapping up and the dam's reservoir is being refilled. Irrigators will have water. Click here for the full story

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Washington mounting case for drought declaration - AgMinute for March 12, 2015

A comprehensive review of Washington's watersheds confirms that conditions are pointing toward the state's first drought in a decade. Click here for the full story

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Hard cider makers lobby for their own association - AgMinute for February 27, 2015

Washington hard cider makers are lobbying to break away from winemakers and form their own marketing association. For more information visit www.capitalpress.com

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$100 million or more at stake in Washington piece-rate case - AgMinute for February 13, 2015

A lawsuit over whether piece-rate pay includes compensation for rest breaks will be heard by the Washington Supreme Court. If growers lose, it could cost them $100 million or more in back pay to employees. Click here for the full story

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‘Dryland’ makes waves across region - AgMinute for January 26, 2015

The agriculture-themed documentary, "Dryland," about two Lind, Wash., farmers coming of age, screens Feb. 6 at the Spokane International Film Festival. That's one of the latest stops for the film around the Pacific Northwest. Click here for the full story

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On need for manure bill, farm lobbyists say bull - AgMinute for January 21, 2015

Farm groups are lobbying against a proposal to set up a new state program to regulate manure applications. Click here for the full story

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Washington lawmakers push for higher minimum wage - AgMinute for January 19, 2015

Washington lawmakers propose gradually raising the minimum wage to $12 an hour by 2019. Click here for the full story

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Washington lawmaker introduces ag-gag bill - AgMinute for January 15, 2015

Washington Rep. Joe Schmick has introduced a bill modeled after Idaho's law. Click here for the full story

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Bird flu barrier forces Washington hatchery to kill healthy chicks - AgMinute for January 14, 2015

A Bellingham, Wash., hatchery was forced to euthanize 22,000 healthy chicks Jan. 9 because of trade restrictions imposed by Canada after bird flu was found in non-commercial flocks in south-central Washington. Click here for the full story

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