THOUGHT PIECES

This Week’s Market Overview With the season wrapped up outside of the Desert Southwest, more growers are reporting average to below-average alfalfa hay yields. Intense summer heat hindered plant growth, and many growers opted for shorter cutting intervals to target higher-testing hay. The summer was relatively dry, so there was less rain-damaged hay in the… The Hoyt Report Oct 25,2024

Members of groundwater, surface water districts will be asked to ratify the potential agreement in mid-November BY: CLARK CORBIN

While this year is a totally different apple year for Washington state compared to last year, concerns and challenges remain. “Last year, there were just too many apples in the market, which made it a really terrible year for growers,” says Chris Ford with Viva Tierra Organic. Supply exceeded demand, grower prices were extremely low,… U.S. apple industry impacted by overproduction and competition from other fruits

Kate Prengaman The Washington Apple Commission met Oct. 15 in Ellensburg for the first time with new president Michael Schadler on board and discussed the ongoing harvest, the promotional budget for the 2024–25 crop year and how the success of those programs is measured.

Executive summary Economic growth has exceeded most expectations over the past several quarters as consumers maintain spending levels. Despite choppy data, the growth trend is slowly moderating due to financial headwinds, political uncertainty, fading fiscal tailwinds, increases in the unemployment rate and the accumulated impact of high consumer inflation over the last four years. Rising… Quarterly Economic Update: October 2024

by AgWest Farm Credit Profitability in agriculture is largely down despite rising food prices. On average, farmers, processors, packers and retail outlets are receiving less revenue as a percentage of total spent on food by U.S. consumers, whereas food services and advertising are receiving more. Also, food prices have not kept pace with rising input costs… Why aren’t farmer incomes keeping up with food prices?

Woody Lane Many cattle producers are now planting brassicas as forages and cover crops. These are great annual forages, but they can include a couple of “gotchas” that cattlemen should be aware of. Lots of farmers and ranchers are planting the new hybrid varieties of forage brassicas and other plants in the cabbage family. These… Dr. Brassica and Mr. Hyde

U.S. apple industry is at a critical crossroads of difficult choices. —by Todd Fryhover, Washington Apple Commission As apple harvest began this year, over 17 million bushels of 2023 Washington apples remain to be sold. To say the 2023 Washington apple crop was challenging is a monumental understatement. Conversations of late with growers highlight the difficulties… Fryhover: Supply, demand, decisions

Organic apples are “catching fire with consumers.” Though the total 2024 Washington apple crop is forecast to be about 10% lighter than the record volume produced in 2023, the organic apple harvest is expected to be very similar to the previous year. The Washington State Tree Fruit Association (WSTFA) recently released its 2024 estimate, pegging… Washington 2024 organic apple crop gains momentum

Daniel Munch USDA’s September 2024 farm income forecast projects this to be yet another challenging year for American farmers, who are expected to lose nearly a quarter of their income in two years. Net farm income, a key measure of profitability, is forecast at $140 billion for 2024, marking a $6.5 billion decline (4.4%) from… Agriculture in the Red: Net Farm Income Drops Again in 2024 Forecast