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Port of Kennewick celebrates launch of Vista Field redevelopment of former airport.
The post Vista Field is officially open for business appeared first on Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business.
Pam Lewison is of two minds when winter gives way to spring. She’s thrilled by the sweet smell of freshly plowed fields, the green fuzz in the orchards, the newborn livestock. She’s less thrilled by the daunting challenges facing Washington agriculture in 2022. The state’s 35,300 farms and ranches collectively raise more than 300 products.…
The post Politics, weather and inflation put the squeeze on Washington ag appeared first on Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business.
By Derek Sandison When it comes to growing food, it all starts with the weather. No doubt, the weather is having a substantial impact on agriculture of late. In 2021, the lack of spring rains and low soil moisture resulted in difficult growing conditions for dryland agriculture, leading to a reduction in wheat yields of…
The post From heat domes to supply chain woes, state agriculture weathers a challenging year appeared first on Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business.
By Mary Coffman Like all agricultural producers in the state, Washington’s wine grape growers have faced myriad challenges since the onset of the pandemic. Tasting room closures, hot temperatures, wildfires, inflation. “It won’t go back to what the market looked like prior to Covid,” said Vicky Scharlau, executive director of the Washington Wine Growers Association.…
The post Grape growers face a future altered by Covid, weather, smoke appeared first on Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business.
Washington state saw the value of agriculture exports increase by more than $1 billion in 2021. There’s a big asterisk tied to the impressive $7.7 billion figure for agricultural products originating in Washington. “Be clear that while values are up, volumes are predominantly down,” said Rianne Perry, manager for international marketing at the Washington State…
The post Value of ag exports is up, but there’s a hitch appeared first on Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business.
It’s hard to say how 2022 will play out for Washington’s cherry growers. “It’s always a weather-vulnerable crop, and there are many ways the cherry crop can be sabotaged by weather,” said Jon DeVaney, president of the Washington State Tree Fruit Association. “The joke is that cherry growers don’t have to travel to Las Vegas…
The post Growers report good volumes despite chilly spring appeared first on Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business.
So many variables can send farmers’ careful preparations sideways. It’s been a common refrain this spring among leaders at many of the state’s commodity groups. Shipping delays affecting the export market. Inflation gobbling up profitability. The war in Ukraine creating market instability. Unpredictable and unseasonable weather. Despite the challenges, potato growers are ready to produce…
The post ‘Perfect growing season’ is on potato farmers’ wish lists appeared first on Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business.
By Jared Balcom Despite all the changes the nation has experienced over the two-plus years of this pandemic, the U.S. potato industry remains as committed as ever to fighting for federal policies that protect our businesses, our families and the communities we support. Years ago, when I first attended the potato industry’s leadership development course…
The post Pasco farmer says U.S. potato industry is focused on the future appeared first on Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business.