Washington State Farm Bureau Report
The focus of this report is to keep local farmers, ranchers and agribusiness men and women up to date on agriculture industry issues which affect the Washington states rural economy. Bob Larson host of the program covers a broad array of topics; from farm human interest stories, to labor issues, state sponsored trade missions, crop outlook assessments, USDA risk management announcements and animal health stories are examples of the types of news topic categories covered each month.
Potato Wart and PEI Imports
The National Potato Council, and 13 state potato organizations, have formally requested the USDA immediately reinstate a previous ban on fresh potato imports from the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island.
CCA Tax Funds Videos
More news about the documentary we told you about recently, produced by the “farm activist” group We Are ELLA and the nearly half million dollars in funding they received from the state Department of Health.
Farm Aid Now
Senate Ag Chair John Boozman says USDA efforts and proposed bills to boost fertilizer supplies and reduce prices may help in the long-term, but farmers need help now.
BASF and Nutrien Partnership
BASF and Nutrien have teamed up to collaborate on advancing sustainable agriculture through digital tools.
CCA Funds Abuse
The Washington State Department of Health has reportedly given nearly a half million dollars from Climate Commitment Act funds to a farming activist group that used it for spreading anti-farming information.
House Vs Senate Farm Bill
Prospects for the farm bill are not looking good in the Senate according to one longtime senator.
Potatoes and USMCA
While potato growers look to open up market demand overseas, in places like Japan and South Korea, industry officials are also monitoring the upcoming review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement scheduled for this summer.
Ag & War
International events are increasingly putting U.S. agriculture in the crosshairs of foreign policy.
Mental Health Awareness Month
During Mental Health Awareness Month, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall wants farmers and ranchers across the nation to know that it’s okay to admit you’re not okay.
Farm Bill Passage to Senate
Now that a new Farm Bill has passed the House and has moved on to the Senate, many are asking if the two chambers can agree on enough to get this done.
Potato Concerns
Mike Wenkel, Chief Operating Officer of the National Potato Council, says some of the industry’s biggest concerns mirror other segments of agriculture.
Tariff and Trade Wins
One year after President Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, a key member of his trade team says it’s a win for agriculture, even as experts signal continued uncertainty.
ESA Reform
The Endangered Species Act is currently under review in the House Natural Resources Committee, with new legislation aimed at updating a law that has seen few significant changes since its passage in 1973.
Farm Bill on to Senate
Now that the 2026 Farm Bill has passed out of the House, it now moves on to the Senate.
House Farm Bill Passage
After several months of work and negotiation, the House of Representatives passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, also known as the farm bill, with a bipartisan vote.
Glyphosate Debate
Sparks flew at the House Rules Committee Monday over whether the pending farm bill includes a lawsuit shield for makers of the key farming herbicide glyphosate or Roundup.
Domestic Ag Possibilities
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall says there are opportunities we should be taking advantage of for new markets right here in the United States.
Aid for Farmers
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer assured lawmakers the administration is both aware of and working to help struggling farmers.
Input Cost Fits
When it comes to the mounting frustration of high input costs and chronically low prices, Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, says he’s hearing repeatedly from farmers who are at their wits’ end.
Ag Trade Deficit Down
Big news from the USDA that America’s ag trade deficit has dropped significantly in the past year.
Fixing Ag Labor
While it’s not the only challenge facing farmers and the ag industry today, ag labor reform is probably at the top of the list.
AgWorld Golf Classic 2026
AgWorld Support Systems wants to remind all you golfers out there in the ag community, the 2026 AgWorld Golf Classic is fast approaching in a little over a month.
Trump to China
President Trump plans to visit China next month and his U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer spoke recently about what to expect from the summit.
Fertilizer Unaffordable
The American Farm Bureau Federation surveyed more than 5,000 farmers and ranchers across the country about the rapidly increasing price of fertilizer
Farm Bill Renewal-AFBF
The American Farm Bureau Federation is urging Congress to continue work on a new farm bill.
King Ranch Motion Filed
Wade and Teresa King continue their fight after the Washington Department of Ecology accused the King’s Ranch stockwater ponds of disturbing regulated wetlands.
USMCA Doubts
U.S. Trade Ambassador Jamieson Greer says it’s likely the July 1st deadline to renegotiate the USMCA will pass without a final agreement.
E15 is a Win-Win
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall says permanent year-round E15 would benefit everyone, not just farmers!
New Tax Benefits
With the April 15th tax deadline in a couple of days, farmers are looking for shelters and other benefits they may not have had in the past.
Ceasefire Impact on Agriculture
A two-week Iran war ceasefire and opening of the Strait of Hormuz is bringing new hope of relief for farmers and consumers.
Payment and Tax Changes in OBBBA
Payment limit relief and new tax breaks will help producers this season under the president’s tax and spending bill, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
War and Agriculture
The Iran war, Congress’s fight over Homeland Security funding and the voter ID SAVE Act are complicating farm struggles.
Year Round E15 Importance
Brian Glenn, director of government affairs at the American Farm Bureau Federation, says Congress needs to quickly pass year-round E15.
Ag Overtime Problems
A Central Washington lawmaker says he continues to hear from growers across the state who are struggling under Washington's agricultural overtime law.
Farm Bill and Specialty Crops
The need for disaster aid in agriculture is not in question this year, but a more efficient and effective system of distribution could be a difference maker for many farmers.
NWFM Technology
We are seeing today’s technological advancements everywhere, even in agriculture where AI and automation are becoming increasingly common.
Washington Ag Wage Crisis
Wages for ag workers in Washington state are pushing the limits of affordability for farmers.
EPA and Pesticides
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin says his agency’s made big progress in reducing the backlog of pesticide registration reviews, while some remain controversial.
Pass Farm Bill Now
House Ag Chair GT Thompson says both sides agree on the need for a farm bill; we need it now!
Drones and AI in Agriculture
Artificial intelligence is changing how we see the world and how we look at the crops in our fields.