The regional head of the Environmental Protection Agency says he is willing to allow states or other agencies to take the lead when they have programs that are working.

AG MINUTE  07162015

Retailers are expanding antitrust litigation against dairy cooperatives.

Retailers expand dairy antitrust litigation. Ag Minute for July 21, 2015

USDA's July 1 cattle inventory report verifies beef herd expansion with increases in beef cow and heifer repplacement numbers.

Mid-year cattle inventory confirms expansion. Ag Minute for July 28, 2015

The world will need an additional 45 billion pounds of milk by 2020, offering a lot of opportunity for U.S. exporters. Consistency and the ability to withstand downturns will be key factors for success.

Opportunity knocks for U.S. dairy exports. Ag Minute for July 29, 2015

Nearly 30 states that filed lawsuits against EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers over a new rule defining federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act are requesting a delay in implementation to allow for judicial review of the challenges.

28 state AGs want WOTUS implementation delayed. Ag Minute for August 3, 2015

When asked to rate the importance of competing needs when water is scarce, 74 percent said agriculture should be a top or high priority.

Poll: Americans favor farmers and food during drought. Ag Minute for Aug 5, 2015

A U.S. District judge on Monday ruled against an Idaho law passed last year to protect farmers and ranchers from activists gaining access to their operations under false pretense to secretly obtain records or make recordings with the intent to cause injury.

Farm groups disappointed as Ag Security Act struck down. Ag Minute for Idaho Aug 8, 2015

A bill aimed at preventing massive disruptions of trade at U.S. ports, like the slow downs at West Coast ports last winter, has been introduced in the House. It's a companion to one introduced in the Senate two months ago.

Bill would allow governors to end port slowdowns. Ag Minute for Aug 7, 2015

The Washington apple industry is hoping for better prices in the 2015-2016 sales season off a 2015 crop expected to be 10.5 percent less than last year's crop.

Price rebound predicted for Washington apples. Ag Minute for Aug 11, 2015

Internal memos by Army Corps of Engineer brass sears EPA's disregard for Corps concerns over the final WOTUS rule and its portrayal that the process represented a joint endeavor.

Army Corps memos disparage EPA over WOTUS. Ag Minute for Aug. 14, 2015

Wildfires that quickly grew out of control around Chelan, Wash., on Aug. 14 destroyed a major apple packing plant, homes and businesses.

Wildfire claims apple packing plant. Ag Min for Aug 18, 2015

A large fire in Southwestern Idaho has destroyed tens of thousands of acres of grazing land and is threatening ranches and cows.

Idaho, Oregon ranchers fighting one of nation’s largest wildfires. Ag Weekly for Aug 18, 2015

China has overtaken the U.S. as the largest market for ice cream.

China licks other nations in ice cream consumption. Ag Minute for Aug 19, 2015

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said firefighting costs are consuming an ever-greater share of the agency’s budget, taking money away from programs that could help prevent wildfires.

Bad wildfire season is quickly burning through federal firefighting budget. Ag Minute Aug 20, 2015

Washington wholesale apple prices should rise this season due to a smaller U.S. crop, but they still may take time to rebuild.

Apple price recovery may take time, expert says. Ag Minute for Aug 25, 2015

"Basically, they had me over a barrel,” a Mesa, Wash., grower said after DOL stopped his apples from being packed.

Ag Minute  08282015

U.S. Climate Prediction Center issues two-week forecast that departs from region's summer long weather pattern.

Climatologists forecast brief break in the heat. Ag Minute Aug 31, 2015

Net farm income is expected to decline 36 percent to $58.3 billion, the USDA says.

Farm profits to fall second consecutive year. Ag Minute Sept. 9, 2015

A local dairyman opens up his family farm to the media with a new mind-set that transparency is key to consumer trust.

Transparency, education focus of dairy tour. Ag Minute for Sept. 10, 2015

Precipitation dampened large wildfires in Okanogan County, Wash., a large backburn was avoided and the U.S. Interior Department secretary visited. Locals told her forests need better management.

Rain, snow dampen N. Washington fires. Ag Minute for Sept 11, 2015

Mexican dry bean industry leaders on a four-day trade visit to Idaho said they were impressed with the quality of bean seed and the measures that are in place to certify it is disease-free.

Visiting bean industry leaders impressed with Idaho seed. Ag Minute For ID Sept 11, 2015

U.S. potato exports dropped for the first time in a decade, according to to new estimates.

Strong dollar, port slowdown reduce U.S. potato exports. Ag Minute Sept 17, 2015

Interior Secretary Jewell and others have called the public and private land collaboration a new model for conservation.

Sage grouse won’t be added to endangered species list. Ag Minute Sept. 25, 2015

The Oregon business has been a leader in adopting cage-free egg production techniques.

Willamette Egg Farms purchased by Midwest Ag giant. Ag Minute for Sept. 29, 2015

The USDA is considering requiring permits for growing biotech wheat, which is more rigorous than the current system of notifying the agency of field trials.

USDA proposes more scrutiny for biotech wheat field trials. Ag Minute October 6, 2015

The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal still has to be approved by the U.S. Congress, where opposition is widespread. President Obama has to wait 90 days after agreement before signing the pact, and only then will Congress begin to debate it.

United States, 11 Pacific Rim countries reach trade deal. Ag Minute for Oct. 7, 2015

A panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati put the regulations on hold nationwide until the court decides whether it has jurisdiction to consider lawsuits against them.

Ag groups cheer as appeals court puts hold on WOTUS regs. Ag Minute for Oct. 14, 2015

Idaho farm industry leaders are happy with University of Idaho's decision to appoint Michael Parrella as the new dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.

Idaho farm leaders happy with new ag college dean. Ag Min for Idaho Oct. 16, 2015

Nine months after it started, a case alleging U.S. apple dumping in Mexico still hangs over the Washington apple industry. Washington hit record shipments there last season but is unlikely to this season.

U.S.-Mexico apple dumping still unresolved. Ag Minute Oct. 19, 2015

The Trans-Pacific Partnership doesn't include China and isn't likely to push pears and apples into Japan, but it may help Northwest tree fruit exports to Southeast Asia.

TPP seen as longer term help to tree fruit. Ag Minute Oct. 20, 2015

The U.S. International Trade Commission has affirmed conclusions that the dumping of subsidized Mexican sugar hurt the U.S. sugar market.

ITC affirms sugar dumping claims against Mexico. Ag Minute for Oct. 21, 2015

Washington, Idaho and California governors support lifting trade restrictions blamed for limiting U.S. food exports to Cuba.

Governors urge action on Cuba for ag’s sake. Ag minute for Oct. 22, 2015

Many organic groups that once praised USDA deputy administrator Miles McEvoy are now fighting his policies in federal court.

Organic administrator faces backlash. Ag Minute Oct. 23, 2015

A group calling itself Toxic Taters, funded by pesticide opponents, is casting potatoes in a negative light.

Industry responds to ‘Toxic Taters’ campaign. Ag Minute for Oct. 26th

Washington State University researcher Bill Snyder has received a $2.7 million grant to research which psyllids may be causing zebra chip.

Grant will help researchers identify insects causing zebra chip. Ag Minute Oct 27. 2015

The spread of a non-stinging Asian wasp has U.S. scientists hopeful that it could control the crop-destroying brown marmorated stink bug.

Stink bug may meet its match in tiny wasp. Ag Minute Oct. 28, 2015

Assessments will be collected on Christmas trees for the first time after the 2015 harvest to fund a checkoff program to promote the crop.

New Christmas tree checkoff prepares for fee collection. Ag minute for Oct. 29, 2015

Many organic groups that once praised USDA deputy administrator Miles McEvoy are now fighting his policies in federal court. 

Organic administrator faces backlash. Ag Minute for Oct. 30, 2015

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