In today’s Ag News Roundup, drought and heat continue to impact ranchers, emergency drought grants announced, Oregon coast commercial fishing tours resume, crop insurance deadlines extended, and researchers studying dryland farming options.
Drought and Heat Impact Ranchers
Throughout regions of Oregon and Washington, drought and heat are impacting viable pasture for livestock, which has also led to a rise in the price of hay. From the Eastern Oregonian in collaboration with Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, ranchers are worried they might not find or be able to afford the food they need to feed their animals.
Emergency Drought Grants Announced in Washington
The Washington Department of Ecology has announced emergency drought grants. The $750,000 in grant funds is expected to aid farmers, ranchers, and local public health agencies impacted by the ongoing drought.
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Shop at the Dock Tours Return to Oregon Coast
The popular program from Oregon State University Extension Service in conjunction with Oregon Sea Grant is back in Newport, Oregon. The tours are designed to bring those in the fishing industry and the public together to discuss seafood and commercial fishing.
Crop Insurance Deadlines Extended by USDA
To help farmers and ranchers dealing with the effects of the ongoing drought, approved insurance providers were given the okay to extend payment deadlines for producers, including premium and administrative fee payments.
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Researchers Looking for Ways to Bolster Dryland Farming
Experimental fields and crops located in the Columbia Basin Agricultural Research Center near Pendleton may be the key to helping improve dryland farming in regions that get limited annual precipitation. The research is being conducted by scientists from Oregon State University and the USDA Agricultural Research Services.