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 […]

By Oregon Farm Bureau, The Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) recently released draft rules to implement the new minimum wage law passed in Feb. 2016. We need your help to make sure the voice of small businesses and farmers is represented during the public comment period! BOLI’s draft rules […]

By the Oregon Department of Agriculture The Oregon Department of Agriculture has adopted temporary administrative rules to implement legislative changes to the state’s industrial hemp program. The rules, which take effect immediately, modify production and handling requirements for registered growers and handlers of industrial hemp. Several modifications are now in […]

By American Farm Bureau Federation Agency delays in processing visas for workers who tend and harvest America’s food crops are fast approaching crisis proportions, all but guaranteeing that crops will rot in the field on many farms this year, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said today. Communications with […]

By Oregon Cattlemen Association Everyday Congress waits to pass the Trans Pacific Partnership; the Oregon cattle industry is hurt by export tariffs that could be addressed with the passing of TPP. Jerome Rosa, executive director of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, is currently in Washington D.C. with 6 other OCA members. […]

State Senator Doug Whitsett, Even though the 2016 Oregon Legislative Assembly has adjourned, many of its committees, task forces and work groups continue to meet in the interim between sessions.  I was back in Salem for three interim meetings that covered a variety of topics of interest to residents throughout […]