Agriculture

Jalandhar: Wheat procurement has finally kicked off in Punjab, after arthiyas or commission agents ended their strike on Saturday, April 10, against the Centre’s decision to exclude them from the minimum support price (MSP) payment for the crop. In Punjab, though wheat procurement officially started on April 10 but with arthiyas on strike, normal operations …

Punjab: A Day After Arthiyas Call off Strike, Wheat Procurement Kicks Off Read More »

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind./CHICAGO — The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose 12 points in March to a reading of 177, marking the highest reading for the barometer since October. The rise was attributed to producers’ more optimistic view of the future. The Index of Future Expectations snapped a four-month decline, rising 16 points to …

Good news boosting Ag Economy Barometer Read More »

Washington apple growers are shipping about 20 percent less fruit abroad now compared with this time last year. The result is a drop to export levels not seen since 2003-2004, according to Washington Apple Commission president Todd Fryhover. A boom in American consumers’ online shopping during the pandemic has prompted a boost in imports from …

Northwest apple exports are down as Eastern European growers crunch into US shipments Read More »

Washington State has the opportunity to become the second state to provide agriculture workers with overtime compensation. Currently, farmworkers do not receive overtime pay. In 1938, agriculture workers were specifically excluded from the Fair Labor Standards Act and many researchers have noted that New Deal-era legislation was crafted to block Black and other POC agricultural …

HISTORIC OVERTIME BILL FOR AGRICULTURE WORKERS PROVIDES A CHANCE AT EQUAL LABOR LAWS Read More »

Chander Payne digs dirt. The budding farmer’s fondness for linking humans to the promise of the oft-disregarded ground beneath their feet spurred him to launch a social — and earthy — enterprise as a high schooler in metropolitan Washington, D.C. His hands-on effort to connect farming with homeless shelters and schools in underserved communities has …

Young urban farmer plots growth of regenerative agriculture endeavor Read More »

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack’s choice of communications chief is rankling progressive and rural family farmers already concerned that Vilsack favors big agriculture at the expense of family farms. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Director of Communications Matt Herrick, appointed by Vilsack on Jan. 21, was previously a senior vice president at a national trade group called …

Small Farmers Balk at Another Big Agriculture Appointment Read More »

Fair organizers are forging ahead with plans to keep agriculture the star and focus of the Williamson County Fair and to provide great new agricultural experiences. “We’re rockin’ and rollin’ this year doing what we can to follow COVID-19 guidance but wanting to give plenty of ag experiences,” said Matt Horseman, UT Extension Service director …

Fair to keep agriculture events front and center Read More »