Pacific Northwest

Almond irrigation effort among recipients of on-farm conservation grants

$25 million for 18 On-Farm Trials projects across the country will help partners work with producers to test and adopt climate-smart systems. more »

$2M electric weed control study pursued by OSU

Costs and resistance to herbicides are rising, so researchers are now revisiting a method first patented in the late 1800s – electricity for weed control. more »

Block grants to assist California, Oregon producers in Klamath River Basin

USDA is investing $15 million for a new drought pilot to assist those affected. The pilot is part of a broader suite of programs available to producers to help recover losses from drought. more »

Potential shown for bee-impersonating flies to help pollination

Bees are still the most common pollinators, but a large number of other pollinators include the bee-mimicking syrphid flies, other insects and spiders. more »

Almonds could be Idaho’s next cash crop

After seven years in trial in growing conditions very different from California's, Idaho researchers are seeing a new crop on the horizon. more »

Hazelnut stewardship initiative highlights Oregon’s sustainable practices

Ranked third in the world for production, Oregon's hazelnut industry hopes to step out strong with the Oregon Hazelnut Sustainability Program. more »

Drought affecting farms from the Oregon border to the Mexican border

The 2020-21 California drought has led to significant water cutbacks, compelling farmers to fallow ground and public officials to respond with legislation intended to address the state's chronic water... more »

Western Growers launches Global Harvest Automation Initiative

With specialty crops needing to solve labor issues by implementing automation, Western Growers is pushing for 50% automated harvest within 10 years. more »