Pacific Northwest Ag Network

U.S. Wheat Associates and the National Association of Wheat Growers are pleased that U.S. wheat growers now have the opportunity to increase global food assistance and expand export market access under new USDA funding programs announced Oct. 24, 2023.

On October 19, 2023, the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) confirmed the first detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a non-commercial flock in Union County.

The Biden-Harris Administration announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is making nearly $50 million in grant funding available for proposals that support crucial links between resilient, healthy forests, strong rural economies and jobs in the forestry sector.

Global hunger and malnutrition pose significant threats to U.S. national security, according to a new report commissioned by Farm Journal Foundation.  The report, authored by researchers from Texas A&M University, examines how global food insecurity is linked to numerous geopolitical risks. Increasing i...

New research finds that increasing vegetable consumption has a positive effect on how happy a person feels.  USDA’s Agricultural Research Service said that holds true for adults who consume the daily amount of vegetable servings recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.  Researchers a...

Despite numerous headwinds in 2022, agricultural lending by U.S. farm banks increased by 8.1% last year to $103.1 billion.  The American Bankers Association’s annual Farm Bank Performance Report said the change is due to a 9.7% increase in outstanding loans, secured by farmland and a 5.9% increas...

Representative Josh Gotthemier this week urged electric vehicle manufacturers to include AM radio in their cars and trucks.  The New Jersey Democrat says, "I would think that if Elon Musk has enough money to buy Twitter and send rockets to space, he can afford to include AM radio in his Teslas."  H...

The Consumer Price Index rose 0.4% in February on a seasonally adjusted basis, after increasing 0.5% in January.  Over the last 12 months, the all-items index increased 6.0% before seasonal adjustment.  The food index increased 0.4% in February, and...

Global food costs moved lower again for the 11th consecutive month.  The Financial Post says while consumers are still spending more for food, prices are at their lowest level in the last 17 months.  The UN Food and Agricultural Organization’s Food Price Index dropped 0.6% in February,...

Economic Research Service publishes its price forecasts in the monthly Food Price Outlook report.  The FPO forecasts food-at-home prices will increase by 8.6% in 2023, with a prediction interval of 5.6%-11%.  Forecasts now include a midpoint and a prediction interval to represent the expected price change and range of likely prices. The pred...