Organic administrator faces backlash. Ag Minute for Oct. 30, 2015

Many organic groups that once praised USDA deputy administrator Miles McEvoy are now fighting his policies in federal court. Click here for full story.

New Christmas tree checkoff prepares for fee collection. Ag minute for Oct. 29, 2015

Assessments will be collected on Christmas trees for the first time after the 2015 harvest to fund a checkoff program to promote the crop. Click here for full story.

Stink bug may meet its match in tiny wasp. Ag Minute Oct. 28, 2015

The spread of a non-stinging Asian wasp has U.S. scientists hopeful that it could control the crop-destroying brown marmorated stink bug. Click here for full story.

Grant will help researchers identify insects causing zebra chip. Ag Minute Oct 27. 2015

Washington State University researcher Bill Snyder has received a $2.7 million grant to research which psyllids may be causing zebra chip. Click here for full story.

Industry responds to ‘Toxic Taters’ campaign. Ag Minute for Oct. 26th

A group calling itself Toxic Taters, funded by pesticide opponents, is casting potatoes in a negative light. Click here for full story.

Organic administrator faces backlash. Ag Minute Oct. 23, 2015

Many organic groups that once praised USDA deputy administrator Miles McEvoy are now fighting his policies in federal court. Click here for full story.

Governors urge action on Cuba for ag’s sake. Ag minute for Oct. 22, 2015

Washington, Idaho and California governors support lifting trade restrictions blamed for limiting U.S. food exports to Cuba. Click here for full story.

ITC affirms sugar dumping claims against Mexico. Ag Minute for Oct. 21, 2015

The U.S. International Trade Commission has affirmed conclusions that the dumping of subsidized Mexican sugar hurt the U.S. sugar market. Click here for full Story.

TPP seen as longer term help to tree fruit. Ag Minute Oct. 20, 2015

The Trans-Pacific Partnership doesn't include China and isn't likely to push pears and apples into Japan, but it may help Northwest tree fruit exports to Southeast Asia. Click here for full story.

U.S.-Mexico apple dumping still unresolved. Ag Minute Oct. 19, 2015

Nine months after it started, a case alleging U.S. apple dumping in Mexico still hangs over the Washington apple industry. Washington hit record shipments there last season but is unlikely to this season. Click here for full story.

Idaho farm leaders happy with new ag college dean. Ag Min for Idaho Oct. 16, 2015

Idaho farm industry leaders are happy with University of Idaho's decision to appoint Michael Parrella as the new dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Click here for full story.

CPoW drops out of wolf advisory group, wants it abolished. Ag Minute for Oct 16, 2015

A cattle group drops out of Washington's wolf advisory group and calls for its abolition. Another group, the Washington Cattlemen's Association, says the advisory group is finally beginning to make progress. Click here for full story.

Commodity groups urge extension of looming rail safety deadline. Ag Minute Oct. 15, 2015

Several lawmakers and agricultural organizations from the Northwest are advocating for a bill to extend a deadline for railroads to implement safety upgrades, hoping to avoid freight disruptions. Click here for full story.

Ag groups cheer as appeals court puts hold on WOTUS regs. Ag Minute for Oct. 14, 2015

A panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati put the regulations on hold nationwide until the court decides whether it has jurisdiction to consider lawsuits against them. Click here for full story.

Monsanto to eliminate 2,600 jobs following 4Q loss. Ag Minute Oct. 13, 2015

Monsanto has struggled in recent quarters to deal with slumping corn prices in the U.S., which have reduced demand for its best-selling product: genetically enhanced corn seeds. Click here for full story.
http://www.capitalpress.com/Business/20151007/monsanto-to-eliminate-2600-jobs-following-4q-loss

Vilsack: TPP text available in next 30 days. Ag minute Oct. 12, 2015

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership will be made available in the next 30 days. Click here for full Story.

WSDA studies how to keep waste from spreading apple maggots. Ag Minute for Oct. 9, 2015

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has hired three experts to study how to keep organic waste from spoiling the state's $2 billion apple industry. Click here for full story.

Biotech developers may have duty to prevent export disruptions. Ag Minute October 8, 2015

Biotech developers may have a duty to prevent export disruptions from GMO crops, even if the products are approved by USDA, according to a court ruling. Click here for full story.

United States, 11 Pacific Rim countries reach trade deal. Ag Minute for Oct. 7, 2015

The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal still has to be approved by the U.S. Congress, where opposition is widespread. President Obama has to wait 90 days after agreement before signing the pact, and only then will Congress begin to debate it. Click here for full Story.http://www.capitalpress.com/AP_Nation_World/20151005/united-states-11-pacific-rim-countries-reach-trade-deal

USDA proposes more scrutiny for biotech wheat field trials. Ag Minute October 6, 2015

The USDA is considering requiring permits for growing biotech wheat, which is more rigorous than the current system of notifying the agency of field trials. Click here for full story.

New federal pesticide regs set age limit, boost training requirements. Ag Minute for October 5th, 2015

New pesticide regulations announced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Labor will bar many children under 18 from working with pesticides and boost training and reporting requirements. Click here for full story.

Hops carryover less than last year. Ag Minute for October 2, 2015

The inventory of old crop hops is down in the U.S. from last year and this year's production is likely to be up in the U.S. and down in Europe. Click here for full story.

Idaho moisture outlook better in south than north. Ag Minute for October 1, 2015

An Idaho hydrology expert says conditions are favoring another dry winter in Northern Idaho but the possibility of good moisture in Southern Idaho. Click here for full story.