National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association submitted comments on the USDA Agriculture Marketing Service’s National Organic Program; Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices proposed rule. NCBA President Tracy Brunner, said that voluntary agency marketing programs are not the place to codify animal production practices. “Organic programs are marketing […]

by Allison Smith Stoel Rives LLP – Renewalable & Law The California Air Resources Board (ARB) released draft amendments to California’s cap and trade regulation, including revisions to the current program in place through 2020, an extension of the program through 2030, and setting the stage for continued emissions reductions […]

By Oregonians for Food and Shelter The House passed the compromise GMO food disclosure bill, that passed the Senate last week. This means that the legislation now goes to the President who is expected to sign it. More details can be found in the first story below. Thank you to […]

By John A. Charles Jr. Cascade Policy Institute In his recent guest column, Director of the Oregon Department of State Lands Jim Paul summarizes the history of the Elliott State Forest. He correctly notes that the Common School Trust lands within the Elliott must be managed as an endowment asset […]

By National Association of Wheat Growers The House passed the GMO labeling agreement designed by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, by a vote of 306 to 117. The Senate passed the bill last Thursday by a vote of 63 to 30, advancing the agreement […]

By Healthy Forest, Healthy Communities This excellent document, from The Story Group, tells the stories of Colorado firefighters confronting the growing trend of larger and more severe wildfires. It is another reminder that we can mitigate the impacts of climate change and catestrophic wildfire through active forest management. Unacceptable Risk […]

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests and Mining held an oversight hearing on the Federal sage grouse plans and their impact to successful ongoing state management of the species. Brenda Richards, Owyhee County Idaho rancher and president of the Public Lands […]

By American Farm Bureau Federation The Senate did the right thing by voting to move toward a full debate on the merits of the GMO labeling bill. The legislation is not perfect, but it does take critical steps to prevent a confusing 50-state patchwork of laws disclosing the presence of […]

by Sen. Doug Whitsett The season for northwest wildfires has arrived, with two major forest fires already occurring in Northwestern Washington. Catastrophic wildfires have become progressively more destructive, causing enormous damage to both public and private forest and range lands, as well as posing severe risks to public health and […]

By Rick Sohn, PhD Umqua Coquille LLC Stud prices are up and most statistics are favorable for the economy, despite the fact the housing starts remain unchanged. Further improvements are expected over the next 4-years. Recent trends of lumber, logs, home construction, and housing markets, are compared to 2009 and […]