Timber Industry Report By Rick Sohn, PhD Coquille Lumber Log prices are at record highs, and mills are in extreme competition for logs. The log shortage is leading to maintenance shutdowns, extended Christmas holidays, and one mill closure. Recent trends of lumber, logs, home construction, and housing markets, are compared.

Survey Shows Massive Opioid Impact in Farm Country; Farm Groups Call for Dialogue, Action American Farm Bureau  The opioid crisis has struck farm and ranch families much harder than the rest of rural America, a Morning Consult survey shows. While just under half of rural Americans say they have been […]

Barley no longer an afterthought in beer flavor by Lynn Ketchum Oregon State Extension Services Barley has always played second fiddle to hops and yeast when it comes to flavoring beer. Now the grain is ready for its solo. In two studies published this week in the Journal of the […]

Oregon cranberry industry grows with the times Oregon Department of Agriculture  Growing cranberries on Oregon’s south coast is a challenge– not because it can’t be done or done well, but due to competition with states that have larger production and lower costs. Nonetheless, Oregon remains fourth in the nation in […]

Bonamici, Kaptur, Joyce Introduce Ocean and Lake Health Legislation Bipartisan effort improves harmful algal bloom response Representatives Suzanne Bonamici Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), and David Joyce (R-OH) introduced bipartisan legislation to better prepare for, mitigate, and respond to harmful algal blooms, especially in coastal communities and the […]

Buying local is always the best choice for firewood Oregon Department of Agriculture Simply put, firewood is a great vehicle for invasive species to slip into the state. As winter approaches, consumers may be in the market for something to put into the fireplace. The same advice used for firewood […]

Time for Turkey Trivia By Cyndie Shearing American Farm Bureau Looking for some interesting, lesser-known facts related to Thanksgiving? Check out the turkey trivia below.

Regional conference focuses on women in agriculture Oregon Department of Agriculture “We can do it!” is the theme of an upcoming regional conference of women in agriculture. Oregon is one of the states able to show that it’s being done when it comes to successful women connected to one of […]

Timber Industry Report By Rick Sohn, PhD Coquille Lumber Extreme weather is credited with a near-term reduction of new homes, but otherwise statistics remain quite strong, with a 12-year October record for studs and a seasonal record for logs. Recent trends of lumber, logs, home construction, and housing markets, are […]

Secretary Perdue Launches Veteran Resources at USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the launch of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) resources to provide comprehensive and timely support to veterans interested in opportunities in agriculture, agribusiness, and in rural America. The resources include a new […]