WACD Reading List

After the H5N1 avian flu virus jumped from birds to dairy cattle in Texas last December, it was spread across the country by infected cows, contaminated machinery, and people who inadvertently carried the virus on their clothes and footwear from farm to farm, said USDA scientists on Thursday.

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 12, 2024 CONTACT: Candice Abinanti candice-abinanti@nacdnet.org NACD Commends Proposals in Senate Ranking Member’s Farm Bill Framework, Urges Bipartisan Action to Pass a Final Bill Washington, D.C. – Today, Senate Committee on Agriculture Ranking Member John Boozman released a framework outlining Senate Republican farm bill priorities. NACD commends that the framework

In a number of states, opponents of diversity, equity and inclusion policies are enjoying growing success in dissolving the programs at public universities.

As the state looks at drawing new wildfire risk maps and new building codes, local governments want more say.

Central Washington farmers with junior water rights in the Yakima River basin had their water supplies cut again, as the Bureau of Reclamation told irrigators to expect 47% of their full allotments.

The House Agriculture Committee early today approved a new farm bill by a vote of 33 to 21. Four Democrats joined all Republicans to vote for the bill. The four Democrats were Rep. Sanford Bishop,...

Public power officials dispute Washington Gov. Jay Inslee's claim that the Horse Heaven wind and solar project would make the electric grid more reliable, calling it "utter nonsense" and "fanciful."

Thanks to heavy use of nitrogen fertilizer, tiny organisms that flourish in farm fields emit nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas that can warm the planet more than carbon dioxide and stay in the atmosphere for over a century.

Join the conversation on the endangered status of the Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit and have your voice heard! Learn about the upcoming Periodic Status Review by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. #EndangeredSpecies #Conservation

Part 2 of MyBellinghamNow’s new series, “Adjudi-what?!” tackles farmers, municipalities and water associations impacted by water rights adjudication in Whatcom County.

CAFO permits aim to protect Oregon waters from agricultural pollution. The rules for CAFOs are changing, and that could bring new accountability — and new costs — to some of the state's larger farms.

Washington's grass seed industry is developing new varieties to serve farmers and consumers, with the help of Washington State University's rejuvenated grass breeding program. "It's grasses for the future, both for the consumer and the farmer," said Orlin Reinbold, one of the owners of Clearwater Seed in Spokane. "We have consumers that want low-maintenance lawns. And it's got to be able to yield, and the farmer has to make money growing it."

Electrical customers may have power turned off as part of a program to reduce wildfires caused by their equipment.

Global warming has unleashed a cascade of unintended consequences and whipped up climate anxiety. CNN Chief Climate Correspondent Bill Weir has five tips to weather it.

Federal environmental regulators are pressing ahead with plans to cancel a fungicide used in Northwest orchards despite the USDA’s concerns about unintended consequences.

USDA is seeking nominations for four positions on the Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production May 7, 2024, to July 7, 2024.

Rolling blackouts will now be part of the plan to combat Spokane area wildfires, according to an announcement Wednesday by officials at Avista Utilities.

Washington’s state government is in for much change this election season due to officeholders leaving and pursuing new political posts.

As climate change drives an increase in spring rains across the Midwest, it can mean more anxiety for farmers eager to carry out the ritual of spring planting.

(The Center Square) - After years of discussion and public meetings, the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have signed a final agreement to bring grizzly bears

Yakima River basin irrigators with junior water rights will receive only 54% of normal water supplies, the worst May outlook since the historic 2015 drought, the U.S. Bureau Bureau of Reclamation projected.

Pack an emergency kit with food, important documents a battery powered radio, and any medications needed.

(The Center Square) – Farmers in the central and eastern portions of Washington state are hoping recent developments related to the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program will mean the eventual completion

Hikers have more to watch out for than bears this summer.

More than 1 million young Chinook salmon died following a major mechanical failure at a hatchery in Skagit County.

With the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture expected to begin discussions on the federal Farm Bill later this month, farmers and leaders from Clark County and farther afield gathered at the Second Mi

Fire officials are preparing for a hot, dry summer that could leave the region in danger of wildfires.

Bigger and more intense wildfires across much of the West, including Hawaii, are leading to higher premiums and more restrictive terms for property insurance, participants in an insurance forum said

Grizzly bears will be brought to Washington from elsewhere over the next five to 10 summers. The goal is to rebuild a population of 200 bears in a century.

Washington’s agriculture industry has been hit hard by climate change. Growers are working to develop crops that can thrive in shifting landscapes.