Oregon Association of Nurseries Growers face dwindling worker availability, growing worker expense, and the need to consider workflows and automation. Workers dig out bare-root trees at Carlton Plants in Dayton. Photo by Denise Ruttan A crew of workers slogs boot-deep through sloppy, clay-rich mud beside rows of bare-root trees at Carlton […]

By American Farm Bureau Federation There are some things you should not read at bedtime. One of them is The Worldwide Threat Assessment by the U.S. Intelligence Community, an annual report of threats to the United States. In testimony before Congress, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said, “In my […]

By Oregonians for Food and Shelter This week legislators were in town for the May “Legislative Days.” This is an opportunity for committees to hold hearings on various issues. Termed “informational”, these hearings are made up of set panels that discuss a given issue. While no bills are actually considered, […]

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Statement by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Tracy Brunner on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies mark-up of the fiscal 2017 spending bill: “The spending bill marked up by the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee contained a number of priorities for cattlemen and women. […]

By Oregon Farm Bureau, When some Oregon farmers discovered an ad by Fred Meyer for “GMO-free” herbs, tomato, and cucumber starts last month, they were not impressed. Why? Because of the nine GMO crops that are commercially available, these are not among them. Even if they were, a grocery store […]

By Oregonians for Food and Shelter Josephine County Circuit Court Judge Pat Wolke granted plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment yesterday, overturning the county ballot measure that banned farmers from growing genetically engineered crops in the county. Judge Wolke made clear that the crop ban is expressly preempted by state law. […]

By American Farm Bureau Federation Three Farm Bureau members today called on the federal government to use more carrots and fewer sticks with farmers who care for land that has often been in their families for generations. Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Richard Ebert, former Ohio Farm Bureau President Terry McClure […]

The Oregon Department of Agriculture The Oregon Department of Agriculture has approved $129,664 in funding distributed to 13 counties as part of the Oregon Wolf Depredation Compensation and Financial Assistance County Block Grant Program. Funds for 2016 have been distributed for actual livestock losses or injuries caused by wolves, for […]

By Rick Sohn, PhD Umqua Coquille LLC Timber Industry Report April 27, 2016 While lumber production is slow and prices are low, there are favorable trends in mortgage rates and steady increase in home value nationally. Pockets of demand for homes and apartments in cities has created serious localized shortages […]

 By American Farm Bureau Federation Farmers and ranchers want to control the information their equipment collects every time it passes through a field, a survey released today by the American Farm Bureau Federation shows. Farmers also believe that creating a cooperative-style central repository for their data is the best way […]