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
Chobani Announces Expansion of Twin Falls Facility
Last week, Chobani announced a 500,000 square foot expansion of its Twin Falls, ID plant, which company officials say will increase production by 50%. “It is for a new innovation in the protein area, which we're extremely excited about. It is an ... Continue reading…
21h ago
DOJ: OSHA Acted Within Its Authority
The Oregon Department of Justice confirmed last week the state OSHA has the authority to adopt rules for farm worker housing. Opponents claimed OSHA had reached beyond the agency’s legal authority when ag labor housing rules were crafted. The DOJ said ... Continue reading…
21h ago
Washington Farmers Asked To Participate In Ag Viability Survey
The Washington farming community is being asked to participate in a survey in an effort to help lawmakers better understand the challenges of the Ag industry. The survey, hosted by the Washington state Department of Agriculture, is open tree...
21h ago
Bass: Cattle Producers Continue To Enjoy Success
Cattle producers across the northwest, and across the country have enjoyed good returns over the past couple of years, and it looks like that trend may continue for the foreseeable future. Phil Bass, University of Idaho Associate Professor said betwee...
21h ago
Future of Farming: Take That Risk
The 2024-2025 Oregon state Sentinel Taft Rice says while it can be challenging, he encourages everyone to speak up and advocate for agriculture. If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@...
21h ago
USDA Updates Public on Avian Flu Strategy
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins hosted a stakeholder update last week to provide a progress report on USDA’s five-pronged strategy to combat Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and lower egg prices. Less than a month after the plan’s rollout, USDA reports significant advancements across all five areas. “Egg...
21h ago
Schrier Rolls Out Innovative FEED Act
Last week, Central Washington Representative Kim Schrier introduced the Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development Act, the Innovative FEED Act. Schrier said this bipartisan legislation would update FDA processes to create a m...
21h ago
Proposal Would Trim Property Taxes For Oregon Seniors
A bill being debates in the Oregon Legislature would create a special tax exemption for some older homeowners. House Republican Leader Christine Drazan said she wrote the bill after talking with aging constituents struggling to stay in their...
21h ago
Kotek Shares Rural Homeless Data
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek is touting the impact of her homelessness emergency order, reporting rural communities have exceeded the goals she set two years ago. Kotek said last week more than 380 emergency shelter beds were created in rural ...
21h ago
Report Shows How Agriculture Impacts The U.S. Economy
As part of last week's National Ag Day, a broad range of 36 food and agriculture organizations collaborated to produce the 9th annual Feeding the Economy Report. One of the groups sponsoring the report is the Corn Refiners Association, and CRA President and John Bode said the report comes to some important conclusions....
21h ago
Legislation Looks To Alter Idaho's APAs
Earlier this week, the Idaho senate held a hearing on Senate Bill 1133A, legislation looking to refine the state’s Agricultural Protection Areas, or APAs. Dex Lake with the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation said this bill looks to clarify the APA application process at the county level, ensuring efficiency and transpa...
Mar 21, 2025
Oregon Grower Concerned About Available Labor This Season
Oregon berry farmers will start hiring for summer in just a few months, but some worry new federal immigration policies will lead to a labor shortage. Narendra Varma grows a variety of vegetables and berries at his Sherwood farm and said it’s always a challenge to ramp up hiring ahead of summer. But this seas... ...
Mar 21, 2025
Wine Minute: Future Of Mealybug Research
Oregon State University's Alexander Butcher is doing extensive research on mealybugs and the damage they do to vineyards across the state. Where would he like to see this research go into the future? If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsqu... Continue reading...
Mar 21, 2025
Idaho's HJM4 Delivered to D.C.
Last week, Idaho senators passed House Joint Memorial 4 which asks the federal government to remove the grizzly bear from the Endangered Species List. The Memorial, which already cleared the House, says grizzly bears have reached recovery goals in Ida...
Mar 21, 2025
Crews Investigating Wolf Killed Near Sisters, OR
U.S. Fish and Wildlife is looking for the person or persons who killed a gray wolf in Central Oregon. Investigators say on March 10th, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and State Police were called to a report of a dead male gray wolf near S...
Mar 21, 2025
Nooksack Adjudication Forums Set To Arrive In NW Washington
The Washington Department of Ecology say water users in the Nooksack watershed and adjacent areas should begin receiving their adjudication claim forms via certified mail this week. The mailing list includes about 30,000 landowners. &nb...
Mar 21, 2025
USDA, AFBF Mark National Ag Day
It wasn't just local organizations that marked National Ag Day on Tuesday; the USDA and American Farm Bureau made sure to offer recognition to those that produce the nation's food, feed, fiber, fuel and forestry products. "Every day through challenge...
Mar 21, 2025
Australia's Beef Production and Exports Set Records
Beef output and exports from Australia, the world’s second-largest meat shipper, are expected to set records this year amid increased slaughter rates for female animals. A USDA report from the agency’s office in Canberra, Australia, said production will be 2.65 million metri... Continue reading…
Mar 21, 2025
Applications Open for Trade Mission to the Dominican Republic
The USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service is accepting applications for its agribusiness trade mission to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, scheduled for July 13-17. Current and potential U.S. exporters interested in exploring trade opportunities in the region must apply by April 2nd. “... Continue reading&h...
Mar 21, 2025
U.S. Produce Market Sees Mixed Price Trends and Rising Imports
Produce movement and pricing across U.S. markets are showing mixed trends as import volumes shift and seasonal changes take effect. Avocado shipments from Mexico are increasing with varied pricing, and movement from Mexico's crossings through Texas is expected to increase. Tr... Continue reading…
Mar 21, 2025
