Podcast: Covering farm subsidies

The Capital Press has a special report on agricultural subsidies this week, including how subsidies affect California rice farmers, Northwest wheat growers, and the economy at large. There's also a history of how current policies developed.

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Podcast: Farm groups keep an eye on Idaho’s redistricting process

According to the 2010 census, Idaho’s population grew 21 percent since 2000. While Idaho won't gain or lose any seats in Washington, D.C., Capital Press reporter Sean Ellis says some ag groups fear there may be big changes at the state Capitol.

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Podcast: Feeling the burn of ethanol subsidies

As lawmakers in Washington, D.C., spar over federal spending and taxes, attention has focused on farm subsidies — including the various federal support programs for corn-based ethanol.

Reporter Tim Hearden and copy editor Will Koenig discuss how different groups see ethanol subsidies and how federal supports affect livestock producers.

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What do you want lawmakers to do on ethanol policy?

Podcast: Farms, greenhouse gas emissions and polar bears

The California Cattlemen's Association has lost a lawsuit challenging the listing of the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Reporter Mateusz Perkowski discusses how ranchers and environmentalists have shifted their stances in the three years since the listing.

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Podcast: Changing times for the Oregon grass seed industry

Oregon lawmakers passed a bill this session — House Bill 2159 — that most believe will dramatically change the working relationship between grass seed growers and seed dealers. Capital Press reporter Mitch Lies asked Roger Beyer, executive secretary of the Oregon Seed Council, and Mark Simmons, executive director of the Oregon Grass Seed Bargaining Association, what this legislation means for the industry and how it evolved.

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Podcast: Pacific Northwest wheat and Ug99

While wheat is a key commodity for the Pacific Northwest, disease threats remain for the crop. Ug99 presents a threat to world wheat production and stripe rust is a current problem for Washington, Idaho and Oregon growers. Reporter Matthew Weaver discusses some current and future problems and opportunities.

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