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By Diana Carlen WAWG Lobbyist With less than a week remaining in the 60-day session as of March 7, the 2026 legislative session enters the home stretch. The Legislature reached two major milestones this past week. The first was March 2, the last day to pass opposite chamber bills from…

By Dr. Xianming ChenUSDA-ARS Research Plant Pathologist Wheat stripe rust is forecasted to be in the upper range of severe epidemic (40-60% yield losses on susceptible varieties) in the 2026 growing season for the eastern Pacific Northwest, based on the predication models using the weather data from November 2025 to February 2026….

Part 3 of 4 – Arlington, OR to Cascade Locks, OR On day three, we travel through the tallest navigation lock in the western hemisphere, sail over the historic site of Celilo Falls, learn about the Long Narrows of the Columbia, and pick up a fourth grain barge while parallel…

On March 5, the House Committee on Agriculture passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567) with a vote of 34-17. In response, National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) President and Idaho farmer Jamie Kress made the following statement: “NAWG thanks Chairman Thompson for his leadership…

Part 2 of 4 – Lyons Ferry, WA to Arlington, OR On day two, we see Lower Monumental Dam, Ice Harbor Dam, and the legendary Wallula Gap on the Columbia River. As the sun goes down, we pass through McNary Dam and enter the Columbia River Gorge to see the…

By Diana Carlen WAWG Lobbyist Washington State legislators have completed their seventh week of work in Olympia as of Feb. 28. There are less than two weeks remaining in the legislative session. The Legislature passed a major cutoff Feb. 25, the last day to pass policy bills from the opposite…

From PNW Ag Network When it comes to addressing the concerns of Washington’s farmers and ranchers, Olympia has not always moved quickly, or sometimes at all.  But, during a recent trip to the state capital, Michelle Hennings, Executive Director of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers said she had the opportunity to speak before…

The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) welcomed its new officer team on Feb. 27 at the 2026 Commodity Classic in San Atonio, Texas. These officers will begin their one-year terms, continuing NAWG’s mission to promote the needs of our nation’s wheat growers. Jamie Kress of Idaho will serve as…

From the Capital Press U.S. District Court Judge Michael Simon has mostly agreed to plaintiffs’ requests to increase spill over dams and lower reservoir levels on the Columbia and Snake rivers, in an injunction issued Feb. 25 in Oregon District Court. Stakeholders say the order will further hamper navigation on…

On Feb. 26, 2026, the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) expressed disagreement regarding the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon’s decision to grant a preliminary injunction in litigation involving the four lower Snake River dams. Overall, the ruling will increase the risk of harm to infrastructure, listed species,…