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
Schoesler: HB 1921 Is A War On Rural Washington
Last week, Tacoma Representative Jake Fey, chair of the House Transportation Committee, introduced legislation establishing a Road Usage Charge in Washington. Fey said a RUC is a "fair and sustainable way" to fund Washington’s transportation system as gas tax revenue declines. He added with gas tax reve...
8h ago
Western Washington Potato Workshop Set For Friday
Washington State University Skagit County Extension will host the 43rd annual Western Washington Potato Workshop this Friday, February 21st. The morning starts at 9 a.m. at the Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center in Mt. Vernon. WSU’... Continue reading…
8h ago
DOGE Looking At USDA
The Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency recently announced on X that it wanted help examining the USDA, and those opposed to checkoff programs used the opportunity to voice their concerns. Sunday’s post on X read: “DOGE is seeking help from the public! Please DM this account wi... Con...
8h ago
Sandison To Remain Head Of WSDA
Wednesday, Washington State Department of Agriculture Director Derek Sandison was confirmed by the Senate to continue leading WSDA. Since Sandison took the position, WSDA has expanded support for local food systems, worked on strengthening p...
8h ago
Oregon GOP Wants Wildfire Hazard Map Pulled
Republicans in Oregon’s Legislature are calling for the Wildfire Hazard Map, which shows properties in the state at high risk of wildfire, to be repealed. House Minority Leader Christine Drazan said rural residents feel targeted. "Orego... Continue reading…
8h ago
Wine Minute: Addressing Smoke Exposure
Unfortunately, Smoke Exposure has become a frequent problem for the Northwest wine industry. Melissa Hansen with the Washington state Wine Commission talks about efforts to keep grapes safe and Northwest wines tasting great. If you have a ...
8h ago
Legislation Would Require Food Recycling In Oregon
Under a bill in the Oregon Legislature, restaurants and other food producers in the state would be required to recycle food waste. Mandatory commercial food waste recycling would be phased in starting in 2028, under the bill. State Representative Courtney Neron also wants to reduce food waste with a label change. "...
8h ago
AFBF Chicken Egg Production Down In 2024
Earlier this week, the USDA released its annual Chicken and Eggs Summary, which has the latest numbers of egg layers, egg production, and the total U.S. chicken inventory as of December 1st, 2024. “According to this report, layers in 2024 ...
8h ago
ILA Set To Vote On New Contract Next Week
On February 7th, the International Longshoremen Association’s Wage Scale Committee unanimously approved a new six-year contract between the ILA and the U.S. Maritime Alliance. The next step is a ratification vote on Tuesday February 25th by the ILA rank-and-file membership. Assuming rank... Continue reading&helli...
8h ago
Legislation Would Allow Year-Round E15 Sale
Senators Chuck Grassley and Deb Fischer, both from Iowa, and both Senate Ag Committee members, reintroduced the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025. The legislation is currently the only permanent, nationwide solution to unle...
8h ago
ODA Points Out The Importance Of An Updated Farm Bill
It wasn't done in 2023; It wasn't addressed in 2024. The hope is that Congress will take on the issue of crafting an updated Farm Bill within the first couple of months of 2025. Oregon Department of Agriculture Director Lisa Charpilloz Hanson said th...
Feb 20, 2025
This Is Idaho CSA Week
Governor Brad Little has proclaimed this Idaho Community Supported Agriculture Week, celebrating "the vital role of local growers in strengthening Idaho's economy, food systems and communities". "ISDA Idaho Preferred is proud to promote and...
Feb 20, 2025
Washington Farming Community Must Advocate In Olympia
It’s a common story every legislative session in Washington; Olympia just doesn’t understand what farmers go through these days. And that’s an easy narrative to believe, especially with fewer and fewer Americans having a connection to rural life, let alone agriculture. But that means the Washin... Con...
Feb 20, 2025
Focus On Fruit: 02/20/25
Washington State University has several asks before lawmakers this session in Olympia. John DeVaney, President of the Washington State Tree Fruit Association, talks about these projects, and how they can help growers and the industry across the s...
Feb 20, 2025
OSU: Agritourism Continues To Grow
Not only is agritourism as an industry growing, so is data to better recognize and understand the sector and its trends. Audrey Comerford of Oregon State University Extension broke down the data from the USDA’s 2022 Census of Agriculture. “1.9 m... Continue reading…
Feb 20, 2025
Idaho Lawmakers Want Grizzly Bear Delisted
Idaho House Joint Memorial 4 was introduced earlier this month, asking the federal government to remove the grizzly bear from the Endangered Species List. The Memorial said grizzly bears have reached recovery goals in Idaho, Montana, and Wyo...
Feb 20, 2025
Rollins Addressing Food Prices A Priority
One of the top issues for new Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins is sticker shock many Americans have grown accustomed to at their local grocery store. “Clearly one of the key issues facing all Americans right now, is the price of food and grocery prices,” Rollins said recent. The secretary noted... Conti...
Feb 20, 2025
Ranking Members of Ag Committees Want Answers
The Ranking Members of the Senate and House Agriculture Committees are pressing the Trump administration for answers on international food aid disruptions. Senator Amy Klobuchar and Representative Angie Craig, both Minnesota Democrats, asked for an e...
Feb 20, 2025
Nevada Rolls Back Cage Free Law
In 2021, when the national average of egg prices was under $2 a dozen, Nevada joined several other states requiring that eggs sold in the state come from cage-free chickens. However, a dozen eggs costs an average of nearly $5 ...
Feb 20, 2025
Idaho Snowpack Makes Big Improvement From January
After months of concern, it looks like irrigators in Idaho can breathe a small sigh of relief, after the snowpack made considerable improvements between January and February. “We've had a lot of big storms come through the area and so we've seen the snowpack really improve, especially from the Salmon Basin throug...
Feb 19, 2025
