— Farmers sigh relief over USDA deregulation of Biotech Alfalfa — USDA decision on Biotech Alfalfa here By National Association of Wheat Growers USDA said it is granting deregulated status to Roundup Ready alfalfa, meaning growers won’t face isolation distances and other restrictions on planting of the genetically modified crop. […]

Light brown apple moth shows up in an Oregon trap By Oregon Dept. of Agriculture The Oregon Department of Agriculture has confirmed a single detection of light brown apple moth, marking the first time the insect pest has been found in the state. However, ODA officials emphasize there is no […]

Update on HB 2229: The big re-zoning bill By Oregonians In Action In the past we’ve discussed the provisions of House Bill 2229, the bill passed by the 2009 Oregon legislature that made important changes to Oregon’s land use laws. The most important change resulting from HB 2229 is a […]

The state Board of Forestry Wednesday selected Doug Decker, a Department of Forestry executive and leader of several major agency initiatives in recent years, as Oregon’s next state forester. By Oregon Forestry Dept. Decker will assume his duties on February 1, succeeding Marvin Brown, who resigned effective last December 31. […]

By Rick Sohn, Umpqua COquille LLC Strength continues in lumber and log prices. Building permits took a large jump. See below for details and a six-year span of prices and analysis of lumber, logs, housing, and mortgage stats.

Proposed New State Rules Allow Expanded Use of “Graywater” and Water Reuse Systems in Oregon — DEQ seeks comments on proposal through Friday, March 11 Dept. of Environmental Quality As Oregon sees increasing demand on the state’s limited water resources, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is proposing new rules […]

Registration opens for OSU’s Feb. 26 farm conference (01/19/2011), U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader, veterinarian, farmer and member of the House Committee on Agriculture, will deliver the capnote address at the Feb. 26th conference. CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Oregon State University Extension Service has opened registration for its 11th annual Oregon […]

By Erik L. Ness American Farm Bureau Federation Politics have been part of irrigated agriculture since the first Sumerian ditch bosses controlled the waters of Mesopotamia. The importance of irrigation can be seen throughout the history of mankind as farmers and engineers worked to provide reliable water resources for food […]

Washington Farm Bureau Comments on Proposed 2011 Workers’ Compensation Rates Dear Director Schurke: By Washington Farm Bureau Comments:  On behalf of farmers and ranchers across Washington state and our more than 40,000 member families, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to submit comments regarding the proposed increase […]

Watch Out For These Issues In The 2011 Legislature By Oregonians In Action As many of you know, the Oregon legislature will meet again starting in January, 2011. Oregon property owners need to keep a very close eye on Salem, as efforts will be made to pass new laws that […]