Ecology officials are seeking public feedback on an updated clean water permit for Simplot Feeders, the largest feedlot in the state. The 705-acre feedlot typically has 40,000 head of cattle on site with capacity for 100,000.
High school students in Kennewick School District’s FFA programs have been growing and caring for a variety of plants – from flowers to vegetables – and now they are sharing them at upcoming plant sales.
A Richland-based agricultural company is reforming its hiring practices and paying a fine to the state Attorney General’s Office after an investigation into discriminatory employment practices and misrepresentations to local farmworkers about job opportunities.
Washington is among the most trade-dependent states in the nation, with more than $58 billion in exports in 2024 and 40% of jobs tied to trade. According to the governor’s office, new and retaliatory tariffs could cost the state’s agriculture sector $7.5 billion, with significant hits expected to apples, cherries, potatoes, wheat and dairy.
Drought impacts in the Yakima Basin have far-reaching effects for the rest of the state. The region’s agricultural economy generates $4.5 billion each year, producing 71% of the nation’s hops, 63% of apples, 62% of cherries, and significant portions of other crops like pears, raspberries, blueberries, and asparagus, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
In Washington state, 14 farms in Benton, Franklin, Yakima and Walla Walla counties participated in LFPA while Rowley & Hawkins Fruit Farm in Mesa, Royal Ranch outside of Royal City and The Herd ranch outside Ritzville participated in LFS as recently as the 2023-24 school year.
French fry producer Lamb Weston is beginning to see its financials turning a corner. But its corporate leaders acknowledge that they don’t anticipate smooth sailing just yet.
The applications will begin this week in Pasco, Prosser, Sunnyside, Grandview, Mabton and Wapato. The state also continues to encourage private landowners in the treatment areas to sign up to have their properties sprayed free of charge.
A variety of factors could be causing or combining to kill off honeybees at a faster pace this year. Known stressors include nutrition deficiencies, mite infestations, viral diseases and possible pesticide exposure during the previous pollinating season.
Potential impacts to research funding at Washington State University from recent federal directives are being lessened, but university leaders say that projects and programs are still expected to lose millions of dollars.
