THOUGHT PIECES

The USDA’s June Crop Production forecast is out.  What does it say about the winter wheat crop? 

Cherry producers from across the Northwest met in Richland, WA, this week, and rolled out the first estimate of the 2025 crop.

Sugarbeet planting recently wrapped up across Idaho.  Samantha Parrott, Executive Director of the Snake River Sugarbeet Growers Association said the spring weather was beneficial in a variety of ways.

In “Bridging the Water Finance Gap as Client Impacts Bite“, Scott  highlights the urgent need to bridge the massive financial gap in water infrastructure and management. With increasing droughts, floods, and water scarcity, traditional funding models are proving insufficient.

According to Farm Credit Services of America, farmland values held steady in 2024, but as we head into 2025 signs of a market shift are emerging. As grain margins tighten and buyer caution increases, it’s crucial to stay informed on land value trends.

Most categories see volume increases, overall dollar sales remain stable DENVER — U.S. retail sales volume of potatoes was up 5.4% in July–September 2024 compared to the same period last year. Every category where volume rose—including fresh potatoes, chips, frozen potatoes, refrigerated potatoes, and deli-prepared sides—saw increases of more than 5%. Total dollar sales were… Potato Retail Sales Volume Rises in July-September 2024

Washington apple growers expect to harvest 124 million boxes of fresh-market apples this fall, returning to a more average crop size after last year’s high of 136 million boxes. The August crop estimate released this week by the Washington State Tree Fruit Association is the first estimate of the season and is subject to change… Washington apple industry expects a 124-million-box crop

Transitions are hard. It doesn’t matter what the transition involves, the nature of moving from one thing to the next is complicated. Farmland may be one of the toughest, says Steve Bohr of Farm Financial Strategies in Lisbon, Iowa. JENNIFER SHIKE

Significant changes across various regions will set the global blueberry industry up for continued success. Key trends shaping the future of the industry include increasingly advanced genetics and growers’ heightened focus on labor productivity and efficiencies, according to a recent study by RaboResearch. After a pause in 2023/24, blueberry exports are set to grow again.

This year’s crop of apples from Washington, a slightly smaller crop than 2023-2024’s, is considered a good quality one that’s suitable for export. “Overall shipments so far have been pretty good, and they are keeping up with where we need to be,” says Steve Reinholt, export business development for CMI Orchards, LLC. “Though it is… Export tariff talk on watch for Washington apple industry