By Cindy Corn Commentary National Association of Wheat Growers A growing number of organizations are coming out against a ballot initiative in California that would require labeling of many products containing genetically-engineered (GE) food. While those in favor of Proposition 37 include trial lawyers,  those urging Californians to vote No […]

Wall Street Editorial, 9-14-2012 Small business owners and farmers have been some of the hardest hit by the tough economy, and those who stay afloat increasingly worry they won’t be able to pass on their enterprises to the next generation. In liberal Oregon, of all places, a measure will be […]

New Oil Industry Paper Favors Gasoline Imports, Higher Diesel Prices Over RFS Renewable Fuels Association A report released this week by EPRINC, an oil industry-funded research group, suggests a multi-year suspension of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) could reduce U.S. ethanol use by more than half. To offset this loss […]

By National Farmers Union National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson issued the following statement following U.S. House of Representatives Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s announcement of the remaining votes in the House, which does not include the 2012 Farm Bill: “The 2008 Farm Bill expires on Sept. 30. Congress is […]

by Rex Storm, Forest Policy Manager Associated Oregon Loggers Congress Attempts to Defund USFS Planning: When the US House Interior Appropriations Committee passed its FY2013 budget for the US Forest Service in June, it eliminated all funding for national forest planning and implementing its horrible new Planning Rule. The Committee […]

By Kurt Kipp, Daily Digger Oregon Association of Nurseries The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries has announced that the state minimum wage will rise by 15 cents to $8.95 per hour, effective January 1, 2013. The annual wage hike is mandated by Chapter 653 of the Oregon Revised Statutes, […]

Business and Labor leaders to testify in support of shipping terminals and coal exports and a new radio ad featuring the Democratic co-speaker of Oregon House is released touting the benefits of coal export terminals to rural communities Alliance for Northwest Jobs & Exports Touting the job creation and tax […]

By Rick Sohn, Umpqua Coquille LLC Strong product prices and a Building Permits record high for this recovery are positive, while interest rates have hit bottom, and average home price gains are deceptive. Four-year market trends of lumber, logs, housing, and mortgage statistics are shown below. Interpretation.

By Curt Kipp Daily Digger Oregon Association of  Nurseries Pete Brentano, co-owner of Brentano’s Tree Farm LLC in St. Paul, Ore., has been appointed to the 10-member Oregon Board of Agriculture. Brentano has a long record of nursery industry involvement, including serving one year as president of the Oregon Association […]

As promised, the Renewable Fuels Association submitted an opinion piece for publication in the Wall Street Journal. After all, in a recent editorial, the Journal editorial staff said they were more than happy to give RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen space to voice his opinion.Not surprisingly, the Journal rejected […]