Trade

The U.S. farming community is preparing for the possibility of new tariffs, and possibly trade wars, when Donald Trump returns to the White House.  The president-elect has announced he plans to slap tariffs on China, Mexico, Canada and others, for a variety of reasons.   ...

Trade is always on the mind of Northwest Ag leaders, since the region is so dependent on overseas buyers.  But more and more, the American farming community as a whole is talking about trade, and what’s being done to open up new markets, or expand existing ones.  Derek Sandiso...

Earlier this fall, Michael Schadler was named the new President of the Washington Apple Commission, taking over a roll that’s been filled by Todd Fryhover for the past four decades.  Schadler said while there’s much to learn, one of his priorities is to continue to educate the consumer, in the Northwest and internationally, about the Washington apple industry.   “We've got a...

The agriculture community is still holding its breath that Congress will pass a one-year Farm Bill Extension, allowing lawmakers to address the issue in 2025.  But, what happens if the extension gets tied up in D.C. bickering?   Washington State Department of Agriculture Director Derek Sandison said the state will feel a direct impact in a variety of ways.   “Our ...

Representative Dan Newhouse said he thinks the farming community will benefit greatly with the return of President Trump.  The Central Washington Republican said trade has been one of his biggest frustrations with this current administration, which as he pointed out is vital for the state’s farm economy.   “I rea...

Earlier this week, southwest Washington representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Senator Patty Murray announced a $22.5 million grant through the EPA’s Clean Ports Program for the Port of Vancouver to purchase and install two new electric mobile harbor cranes and improve shore power.    With...

American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall said America is bracing for the impact of the massive dockworker strike that threatens to paralyze goods in and out of the U.S.  He pointed out that our nation relies on international trade for everything from electronics to machinery.   “...

To say oil prices have been volatile to start the month of August may be a bit of an understatement.  After dropping notably, oil prices rallied in the past week to nearly $80 per barrel.   “Week before last, we saw a better than expected jobless figure that added to concerns that potentially we wouldn't see the Fed cut interest rates," noted Patrick DeHaan is with GasBuddy.com.  "And th

Applications are currently being accepted for the latest round of USDA Regional Agricultural Promotion Program grants, better known as RAPP.  The deadline to apply is Friday, October 4th, and the USDA will accept applications through the Unified Export Strategy System; the Application portal.  Foreign...

The Senate Agriculture Committee once again released a newsletter entitled "Farm Bill 101: Forestry." The one-pager is designed to be easily digestible and explain how the bill helps in forestry.