Administration won’t seek high court review in immigration case - May 29, 2015

The Justice Department will instead focus on defending the merits of the executive action in an appeal that will be argued the week of July 6 before the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Click here for full story.

Fight over Clean Water Act rule enters new phase-AgMinute May 28, 2015

The fight over EPA's Clean Water Act rule is likely to heat up on the political and legal fronts now that the regulation is final, experts say. Click here for full story.

Northwest farmers wary about Obama’s expected water rule - AgMinute for May 27, 2015

The rule has also drawn criticism from property rights groups and praise from environmentalists. Click here for full story.

Wal-Mart presses meat suppliers on antibiotics, treatment. AgMinute May 26, 2015

Wal-Mart is the first major retailer to take a stance to limit the use of the antibiotics. Click here for full story.

Idaho ag exports set record for fourth straight year Ag Minute May 25, 2015

Idaho set another record for total agricultural exports in 2014, despite a slowdown in sales of dairy products, which are the state's top farm export. Click here for full story.

New Ag director moves over from Ecology Department AgMinute May 25, 2015

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has chosen a new agricuture director from the state Ecology Department. Click here for full story.

Early crop gives NW cherry growers high hopes-Ag Minute May 22, 2015

Pacific Northwest cherry growers are just starting to harvest a lighter crop with more defects but are delighted by the prospect of record June volume and good prices. Click here for the full story.

Organic checkoff draws supporters, detractors - AgMinute for May 21, 2015

The Organic Trade Association has petitioned USDA for a checkoff program for organic after more than 5,000 organic farms and businesses weighed in on the proposal and supported it 2 to 1. Click here for the full story.

Governor, farm leaders say trade mission will benefit producers AgMinute for May 20, 2015

Members of an Idaho governor's trade mission to Mexico and Peru said they're hopeful more Idaho farm commodities will be sold in those countries as a result of the trip. For full Story Click here.

WTO rules against country of origin labels on meat - AgMinute for May 19, 2015

The ruling is a victory for the U.S. meat industry, which has said the labels are burdensome and challenged them in court. Click here for the full story

USDA researcher has hope for new insect deterrant - AgMinute for May 18, 2015

Since appearing in West Coast fruit fields and orchards several years ago, the spotted wing drosophila has forced growers to increase their chemical usage. For more information visit www.capitalpress.com

Analysis shows COOL costs outweight benefits - AgMinute for May 15, 2015

An analysis by university ag economists contracted by USDA has found that the economic benefits of mandatory country of origin labeling would be insufficient to offset the cost of the requirements. For more information visit www.capitalpress.com

Online sales disrupt grocers, profit farmers - AgMinute for May 14, 2015

Grocers are expecting a disruption from online sales in coming years, but experts say the shift will likely profit farmers and food processors. For more information visit www.capitalpress.com

Study predicts Ag jobs available, not enough graduates to fill them - AgMinute for May 13, 2015

The USDA study predicts nearly 58,000 job openings annually through 2020 in food, agriculture, natural resources and environmental fields – and not nearly enough college graduates to fill them. For more information visit www.capitalpress.com

Apple growers on fire blight watch - AgMinute for May 12, 2015

Washington state may escape its fire blight danger zone relatively unscathed, but growers in New York are on the bubble, a tree fruit specialist says. Click here for the full story

Youths learn life lessons raising livestock - AgMinute for May 11, 2015

Pacific Northwest youths learn life lessons raising animals for the Junior Livestock Show of Spokane. Click here for the full story

Whole Foods targets budget-conscious shoppers with new chain - AgMinute for May 8, 2015

In an attempt to attract younger shoppers, Whole Foods is planning to open a new chain of stores geared toward budget-conscious millennials. For more information visit www.capitalpress.com

USDA seeks input on new GMO rules - AgMinute for May 7, 2015

The USDA wants the public to weigh in on its authority to regulate biotech crops, possibly setting the stage for newly proposed genetic engineering rules. Click here for the full story

Reps say wolf management should be turned over to states - AgMinute for May 6, 2015

A bill introduced by Oregon, Washington and Utah congressional representatives would turn wolf management over to their states. Click here for the full story

USDA to make $18.3 million bonus apple buy - AgMinute for May 5, 2015

The USDA is making its largest bonus buy of apples and processed apple products in history to help out with an oversupply of apples from the 2014 harvest. Click here for the full story

East Coast braces for bird flu - AgMinute for May 4, 2015

Bird flu appears to have subsided in the Pacific Northwest, but its most virulent form is ravaging chicken and turkey operations in parts of the Midwest, leading to the deaths of 13 million birds in Minnesota, Iowa, North and South Dakota and Wisconsin. For more information visit www.capitalpress.com

Tyson Foods hopes to rid chicken of antibiotics by 2017 - AgMinute for May 1, 2015

Tyson will also begin looking at ways to reduce antibiotic use in cattle, hogs and turkeys. Click here for the full story