Pacific Northwest Ag Network

What might weather look like where you are at at this month and the summer months? USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey offers an outlook, including:   “We are watching the western and central U.S. for the possibility of drought expansion or intensification. We do exp...

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and mental health has never been a more important topic for U.S. farmers and ranchers.  Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins said farmers are suffering through tough times.   “The suicide rate among our farmers is similar to that of our veterans, and it's stunningly and heartbreakingly high, and we have to realize that something has to be done," she noted.  "

Food-at-home prices increased in April at a 2% annual pace, down from 2.4% in March, according to Consumer Price Index data.  According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, across-the-board inflation ticked down last month to 2.3%, its lowest rate since February 2021.  It’...

Bayer is continuing its push to resolve lawsuits linking Roundup, its popular weedkiller, to cancer.  People familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal that the company is also exploring a bankruptcy filing for its Monsanto agriculture business in case the settlement plan fails.  Bayer i...

Clutter and disorganization aren’t just physical issues.  They can cause stress, anxiety, sleep issues, and other mental health challenges.  But getting rid of the clutter can be overwhelming. Oklahoma State AARP Director Sean Voskuhl said as people age, they can face very big challenges around downsizing.   “AARP ...

In 2023, the USDA said 9.3% of U.S. households with an adult aged 65 and older were food insecure at some time, meaning they had difficulty providing enough food for their members due to inadequate resources.  This prevalence of food insecurity in households with an adult 65 and over in 2023 was similar to 9.1% in 2022 but...

House Republicans are proposing a $290 billion cut from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program over the next decade.  The GOP plan uses some of the money saved to increase spending on commodity programs, crop insurance, and other farm bill programs.  The dra...

Five U.S. states have now officially banned lab-grown meat.   Last week, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte signed a bill prohibiting the manufacture, sale, and distribution of the product.  Earlier this week, Indiana Governor Mike Braun signed a two-year ban into law, followed by strict labeling laws after the law expires.   “The ...

China and the U.S. have officially drawn lines in the sand regarding trade and tariffs.  China seems to be digging in for the long term and looking for allies.  Arlan Suderman, chief commodities economist a StoneX, watched a video released this week by the Chinese government.   “China's Foreig...

Lawmakers are sending signals that a new Farm Bill isn’t certain in 2025.   Reports say Republican lawmakers are considering adding Biden-era conservation programs into their party-line megabill that may have otherwise been in a separate reauthorization of federal farm programs.  Politico...