The Pacific Northwest Ag Network Report airs daily, Monday through Friday, during the 5, 6, and 7 AM hours on 920 News Now. Glenn Vaagen and the Pacific Northwest Ag Network team bring you the most in-depth ag news focused on products grown across the region each morning. They connect you with the latest research at WSU, OSU, and the University of Idaho, commodity group leaders, and state and federal lawmakers.
PNW AG Network News
Dry Conditions Reported Across The Northwest
As we start the month of May, several parts of the Northwest are already reporting dry soil conditions. According to the latest numbers from USDA, 46% of Idaho is Abnormally Dry, or under a D0 drought designation. Much of that ...
May 02, 2025
Backroom Tactics Will Be Exposed, Save Family Farming Says
Farmers are demanding transparency from the EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice and a perceived campaign against Washington’s Ag industry. Dillon Honcoop with Save Family Farming said public records indicate EPA has been pressuring Washington state agencies behind the scenes to assist their attacks on farms, s...
May 02, 2025
Fewer Potato Acres Expected In Idaho This Year
When compared to 2024 numbers, Idaho’s potato acres are projected to decrease by 15,000 in 2025. If realized, that would be a 5% year-over-year drop, according to the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation. In addition, total U.S. potato acres are ... Continue reading…
May 02, 2025
Wine Minute: Research At The NW Berry Foundation
Julie Pond, Executive Director of the Northwest Berry Foundation, says they conduct a lot of research that has a direct impact on the local wine industry. If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gle...
May 02, 2025
More Farm Bill Uncertainty on Capitol Hill
Lawmakers are sending signals that a new Farm Bill isn’t certain in 2025. Reports say Republican lawmakers are considering adding Biden-era conservation programs into their party-line megabill that may have otherwise been in a separate reauthorization of federal farm programs. Politico... Continue reading…
May 02, 2025
Potatoes In Storage Down From April '24
According to NASS, potatoes held in storage on April 1st, totaled 131 million cwt, down 6% year-over-year. Potatoes in storage accounted for 31% of the 2024 crop, virtually unchanged from the number reported in April 2024. As far as storage in the Northwest, Idaho had 47,000 cwt in storage, down from the 53,000 cwt rep...
May 02, 2025
China Releases Propaganda Against U.S. Tariffs
China and the U.S. have officially drawn lines in the sand regarding trade and tariffs. China seems to be digging in for the long term and looking for allies. Arlan Suderman, chief commodities economist a StoneX, watched a video released this week by the Chinese government. “China's Foreig... Continue reading&hel...
May 02, 2025
Bayer Exits Seed Treatment, Will Close Million Dollar Plant
Bayer announced it is leaving the seed treatment equipment business in the U.S. to help bolster the company’s finances. Reuters says a spokesman confirmed in an email that Bayer was exiting the business, which makes equipment designed to help treat seeds with products like fungicides and insecticides before the s...
May 02, 2025
Farmers Were Paid Less For Their Commodities In March, USDA Notes
According to the USDA’s latest agricultural prices report, producers nationwide received less for their commodities, on the whole in March. The price index was lowered just over 3% from the prior month, a reflection of reductions in both production indexes month over month. The L... Continue reading…
May 02, 2025
U.S. Ag Groups React to EPA Strategy
Thursday, we told you about the EPA releasing an updated draft Insecticide Strategy, and U.S. agriculture groups and supporters reacted to the news. "EPA's numerous pragmatic improvements to the draft Insecticide Strategy have created a final st...
May 02, 2025
Rural Mainstreet Index Stays Below Growth Neutral
The overall Rural Mainstreet Index fell below growth neutral in March. This marks the 18th time that’s happened in the past 19 months. When comparing 2025 farm income against 2024 farm income, only 3.7% of bankers expect an increase, while 63% predict an income drop. For the tenth time... Continue reading…
May 01, 2025
Newhouse: I'm Not Throwing In The Towel On The Farm Bill
The clock on 2025 is ticking, and there are still no signs of Congress getting closer to a new Farm Bill. Central Washington’s Dan Newhouse said it’s not easy, but he’s still confident an updated Bill will get done at some point. “This is not the f... Continue reading…
May 01, 2025
Mulrony: I'm Excited About the Cattle Industry
Cameron Mulrony, the Executive Vice President of the Idaho Cattle Association says despite challenges, now is a good time to be in the cattle industry. “Consumers are optimistic," he said. "You know, our markets look good. We have good d... Continue reading…
May 01, 2025
Focus On Fruit: 05/01/25
What are some of the newest cherry varieties that Washington State University is working on? Per McCord tells us when we may see these cherries in the orchard, or at our local grocery store. If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network,...
May 01, 2025
Wyden Urges Congress to Reassert Trade Authority
Oregon’s Ron Wyden went to the Senate floor Wednesday, asking lawmakers to affirm trade authority amid the crashing of global economies. In Wednesday’s remarks, Wyden said after three years of strong growth and rising jobs numbers, the U.S. economy shrank in the f... Continue reading…
May 01, 2025
Could Fresh Potatoes Be Japan Bound?
The potato industry is hopeful good news on the trade front could be right around the corner. The Trump administration has reportedly begun talks with Japan to eliminate tariff and non-tariff trade barriers. "Since it became obvious that there was g...
May 01, 2025
OWDF: Watch Out For Black Bears
As black bears wake up from their winter slumber, they are hungry, and that drives them potentially into town for an easy meal. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says with a sense of smell about seven times greater than a bloodhound...
May 01, 2025
Smart E-Tags Look To Increase Productivity, Reduce Costs, Increas
Smart e-tags are an emerging technology in the beef cattle industry. Mark Trotter, a professor of precision livestock management at Central Queensland University in Australia, has been researching smart e-tags. He spoke about the technology at th...
May 01, 2025
EPA Releases Better Strategy to Protect Endangered Species
The Environmental Protection Agency released its final Insecticide Strategy that identifies practical protections for federally endangered and threatened species from the use of insecticides. At the same time, the Strategy also provides flex...
May 01, 2025
Northwest Leaders Participating In Hong Kong Trade Mission
USDA's upcoming Ag trade mission this month looks to expanded export opportunities in Hong Kong and southeast Asia. "In 2024, Hong Kong ranked as the 18th largest market for U.S. Ag products, importing $1.4 billion in goods as a freeport and gateway ...
May 01, 2025
