Agriculture
Funding for drought package less than half of what bipartisan authors proposed
Democratic leaders in the Legislature have announced they’d allocate $110 million to confront Oregon’s drought and water security issues for the next two years. It’s less than half of what the budget’s authors, Reps. Ken Helm, D-Beaverton, and Mark Owens, R-Crane, had initially proposed in March. The two wanted $250 million for at least 25 […]
The U.S. is undergoing its worst bird flu outbreak ever. Is a poultry vaccine the answer?
WASHINGTON — The deadliest outbreak of bird flu in U.S. history is prompting growing concern in Congress, and Department of Agriculture researchers are awaiting the preliminary results of four trials of vaccines for poultry. Some lawmakers are warming to the idea of a vaccination campaign, long considered a fringe idea due to the cost and […]
Agriculture leaders urge a stronger farm safety net at U.S. Senate farm bill hearing
WASHINGTON — Farm and commodity trade association leaders lobbied for updating commodity programs and strengthening crop insurance programs at a hearing of the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry committee. The industry officials said federal crop insurance and the Department of Agriculture’s Price Loss Coverage and Agriculture Risk Coverage programs are not serving as a […]
Ag leaders lobby for better risk management programs at U.S. House farm bill hearing
WASHINGTON — Commodity trade group leaders at a U.S. House Agriculture subcommittee hearing this week advocated for bolstered risk management programs and maintaining foreign market access as tools to support farmers amid volatile times. The industry representatives said supply chain disruptions and increased production costs have tightened margins for large-scale farmers, and decreased the effectiveness […]
Prepare for more extreme weather, report warns
It’s likely to be hot again this summer in Oregon, and that trend is likely to continue. An Oregon State University study on climate change released earlier this year estimates that temperatures will rise 5 degrees Fahrenheit by the 2050s, with more surges ahead. ”Heatwaves are becoming more frequent,” said Erica Fleishman, director of OSU’s […]
With suicide rates high among farmers, ranchers, lawmakers consider a remedy
Surviving as a farmer takes grit. Profits are vulnerable to extreme weather conditions, and a drought has persisted for years. Commodity prices fluctuate, while the costs of fertilizer and other supplies keep going up. And when those difficulties become overwhelming, agriculture workers don’t run to a therapist, experts say. They bear it alone. But that […]
Kotek declares drought emergencies in Harney, Wasco counties
Gov. Tina Kotek has declared two new drought emergencies in Harney and Wasco counties. These mark the fifth and sixth such emergencies this year. She declared drought emergencies in Jefferson and Crook counties in February and followed with declarations in Deschutes and Grant last month. The drought conditions in these areas are likely to affect […]
Biden vetoes attempt to repeal WOTUS rule on wetlands
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Thursday vetoed a measure that would repeal a rule expanding which types of wetlands can be regulated under the Clean Water Act. Biden promised to veto the legislation that saw Democrats crossing party lines in both chambers to join Republicans in rolling back a rule that is unpopular with […]
Chicken industry officials host tour of mega chicken facility as part of a lobbying effort
BROWNSVILLE – Donning plastic booties and coveralls, about 30 state lawmakers, agency officials and industry executives gathered in a control room on Randy Hiday’s chicken farm in Linn County. The room, equipped with temperature and other monitors, looked into a 600-foot-long steel barn housing about 48,000 fuzzy chicks. Hiday, who runs the largest broiler chicken […]
Feds allocate $2 million to Oregon farmers and ranchers for bison, yak products and more
The federal government has allocated more than $2 million to Oregon farmers and ranchers in seven counties to expand marketing and sales of various items, including of bison meat and yak products. Oregon’s U.S. senators, Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, announced the funding on Wednesday. The $2.1 million in grants are part of the U.S. […]
Lawmakers consider shrinking proposal to pause new large animal farms
Lawmakers have amended a controversial proposal that would have paused new permits for all large animal operations for eight years by trimming it back. A Senate Bill 85 amendment submitted by state Sen. Jeff Golden, D-Ashland, would halt new permits only for large chicken operations and limit the permit suspension to two years. Golden said […]
Limits on foreign ownership of U.S. farmland gain support in Congress, despite skepticism
WASHINGTON — Bipartisan momentum is building in Congress to restrict China and other foreign adversaries from purchasing U.S. farmland, a reflection of a similar push by some states as well as apprehension over Chinese spy balloons, rising land prices and growing international competition. “Foreign ownership of agricultural land threatens small family farms and the overall […]