Tom Shellhammer, a fermentation scientist at Oregon State University, is pictured. (Photo by Lynn Ketchum) By Oregon State University Extension Office To fill a knowledge gap among both professional and hobbyist beer-makers, Oregon State University has created several online and on-site short courses for brewers who want to refine their […]

Newly published Oregon Agripedia now available By Oregon Dept. of Agriculture Ag Stats, Oregon Farmers’ Handbook, and Ag Resources Directory in one book The sixth edition of a popular, all-purpose guide providing comprehensive statistical, regulatory, and contact information is now available from the Oregon Department of Agriculture. The Oregon Agripedia […]

By American Farm Bureau Securing adequate land to grow crops and raise livestock was the top challenge identified in the latest survey of participants in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmers & Ranchers program. That challenge was identified by 20 percent of respondents, followed by burdensome government regulations and […]

By Oregon Congressman Kurt Schrader   U.S. Representatives Kurt Schrader (D-OR) and Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-PA) today introduced the Forest Products Fairness Act of 2013. The legislation opens new market opportunities for the American forestry industry by allowing forest products to qualify for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Biobased […]

Oregon Farm Bureau Priority Bills By Oregon Farm Bureau Alarming Water Bill This bill is sponsored by Senator Floyd Prozanski. If passed, this will make it very difficult for a water user to get a transfer approved by WRD. SB 425 – Requires that application to change place of use, […]

By Rick Sohn, PhD Umpqua Coqullie LLC Markets are strong and log shortages are driving prices up.  Comparison to 2006 data shows striking differences.  Seven-year trend of lumber, logs, housing, and mortgage statistics are shown below.                                                                        Prices in Dollars per Thousand Board Feet Feb ‘13 Jan‘13 Dec’12 Nov‘12 […]

By Cindy National Corn Growers Association Most of us know where the drought hit the hardest last year, but it’s always more interesting to see it in living color. The University of Illinois’ FarmDoc Daily did just that by comparing state corn yields last year with trend yields, showing how […]

ASA Joins Fellow Farm Groups in Opposing Lopsided Farm Program Cuts By American Soybean Association In a letter sent to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid the American Soybean Association (ASA) joined 11 other national farm groups in opposing disproportionate cuts to farm programs as part of the recently-introduced American Family […]

By David Deming Geologist at the University of Oklahoma, Watching the political and scientific debates concerning energy and the environment for the past 20 years has led me to one conclusion: The fossil-fuel industry—which could be the most powerful lobby in Washington—is hopelessly ineffective and self-defeating. I once attended a […]

Cattle ranchers lose optimism as dry spell continues By California Farm Bureau Ranchers say that despite strong demand for beef, dry rangeland conditions have dimmed their outlook for the year. Unless California sees another “Miracle March” with ample rainfall, the feed available for cattle will dwindle quickly, and the cost […]