Agriculture

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House farm bill gains win for WA specialty crops, but Senate fight looms
(Seattle Times, May 26) Washington’s specialty crop growers stand to gain from roughly $1 billion in federal support under the House Republican farm bill — if Congress can break through a partisan impasse over food assistance cuts and agricultural spending.

The war in Iran has Washington farmers bracing for even higher costs amid what are already record-low prices for their crops
(The Inlander, May 28) Many farmers are experiencing a triple hit on their finances from the U.S. and Israel attacks on Iran, with higher costs for fuel, shipping and fertilizer. “Unless you have perfect insight” and bought your fertilizer and stocked up on diesel fuel before the war in Iran began, explained T. Randall Fortenbery, professor and Thomas B. Mick Endowed Chair of the Washington State University’s School of Economic Sciences.

Why a stockpile of Washington Cosmic Crisp apples is good
(Capital Press, May 27) More fresh market Cosmic Crisp apples — about 7.15 million bushels — are in storage than any other variety.

More bird flu cases found in Idaho dairy cattle
(Capital Press, May 26) Idaho reported 13 new cases of avian influenza in dairy cattle May 11-12, according to USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

With harvest underway, Anderson Hay seeks longer-term spending permission (Capital Press, May 29) With the alfalfa harvest underway, Anderson Hay is seeking longer-term authorization to spend cash during bankruptcy proceedings and reassure farmers they’ll be timely paid for crops.

Washington ranchers get their day in court—to fight for their day in court
(Pacific Legal Foundation, May 27) The King family has worked the same stretch of Central Washington for more than 70 years, running cattle across Grant and Douglas counties on land they’ve ranched since the 1950s. On May 21, a Grant County Superior Court judge heard oral argument on whether the Kings are entitled to defend that legacy before a jury—or whether Washington State can force them into an administrative proceeding where no jury will ever set foot.

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Washington Politics​Is dividing WA in two a ‘win-win’ or ‘lose-lose’? Why some want a new state map
(The Olympian, May 26) November 2024’s presidential election, which secured Donald Trump’s return to the White House, felt like a slap in the face to Stead: “This doesn’t seem like my America anymore.” So when Stead learned about the Cascadia bioregion, the concept resonated.

Farmers in Iowa are struggling in Trump’s economy, but many say they still support him
(NBC, May 28) NBC News spoke to 13 farmers across Iowa this week. Eleven voted for Trump in the past and still largely back him, hoping “to God,” as one put it, “that he follows through” on his promises by the end of his term.

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Climate & Endangered Species

 

Chemicals from Longview mill blast reached Columbia River, officials say
(OregonLive, May 27) Contamination from the catastrophic chemical tank failure at a southwest Washington pulp and paper mill has flowed into the Columbia River, officials confirmed Wednesday, opening a troubling new chapter in what could become the region’s deadliest industrial accident in modern history.

Horse Heaven case pits climate change v. environmental justice
(Capital Press, May 28) The court will hear arguments June 11 on whether to cancel the permit then-Gov. Jay Inslee issued for the 1,150-megawatt Horse Heavens wind and solar installation in south-central Washington. Yanking the permit could be the final blow to the state’s already flagging drive to develop green power, according to renewable energy advocates and producers.

WA Fish and Wildlife authorizes killing of one wolf after suspected cattle attacks
(Washington State Standard, May 26) Washington will permit the killing of a single gray wolf in the state’s northeastern corner following three suspected attacks on livestock.

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Trade & Markets

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Trump struck a deal for China to buy $17B a year in US agricultural products. Farmers are skeptical
(Washington State Standard, May 27) In a deal that could provide a major trade boost for American farmers, the White House said that during the recent summit, China committed to buying at least $17 billion in additional U.S. agricultural products annually for three years. But Beijing has not confirmed the figure and farm groups expressed skepticism that the deal would materialize.

Trump administration proposal aims to accelerate drilling amid Alaska oil industry’s revival
(Washington State Standard, May 28) As major oil companies eye new drilling on Alaska’s North Slope, the Trump administration is now working to accelerate their projects by streamlining environmental reviews on federal land. It’s a move that could boost production amid what leaders describe as a “renaissance” of North Slope oil. But opponents call it an alarming escalation of the administration’s push to open new areas of Alaska to oil and gas development.

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Research

 

Western Innovator: High school students work on AI decision tool for irrigators
(Capital Press, May 26) Helping farmers irrigate more efficiently can’t wait, as Boise high school students Henry Turcotte and Marco Trotta see it.

Alumni establish endowment to support WSU organic farm for years to come
(WSU Insider, May 28) A new $150,000 endowment from Washington State University alumni Jim Huff and Sue Fairbanks will ensure the Eggert Family Organic Farm continues to thrive and grow well into the future. For more than two decades, the farm has served as a learning and research facility for students and faculty. It’s also a place where locals and visitors alike can buy vegetables, pick cherries, or search for the perfect pumpkin.​

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This week in history

On June 1, 1979, the Seattle SuperSonics beat the Washington Bullets 97-93 in Landover, Maryland, and won the team's first (and only) NBA championship. This was the city's first major professional sports trophy since the Seattle Metropolitans hockey team won the Stanley Cup in 1917. [Historylink.org]