Agriculture

In Oregon, farmers, educators and gardeners are exploring the benefits of dry farming to grow food using less water.

Oregon is starting a new meat inspection process with a view to boosting local slaughterhouse business and allowing local people to eat local beef.

When brothers Golden and Francis Nephi “Neef” Grigg began renting a frozen foods plant in the tiny Idaho border town of Ontario, Oregon, in 1949, they were hoping to expand their existing frozen corn business to include potatoes. Little did they know they’d taken the first step toward creating Oregon’s prodigal spud: the tater tot.

So far, about 58 million birds have died or been euthanized because of a bird flu outbreak across the U.S. since last fall. In the Northwest, 1,018,302 birds have died in Washington state and 1,798 birds have died in Oregon.

Global honeybee populations have been declining for many years, due to disease, loss of habitat and poor beekeeping practices. A newly approved vaccine helps fight American Foulbrood disease.

A legalization path for farmworkers failed to pass this month and faces an even steeper climb in a Republican-controlled House in the next Congress.

Opponents say industrial poultry operations planned for Scio and Aumsville are reinforcing a trend in Oregon agriculture where only the largest farms survive.

The state Department of Environmental Quality says it doesn’t have the staff or funding necessary to start a dairy emissions program.

Agriculture is a major industry in Florida and Hurricane Ian destroyed farms, killed livestock and toppled citrus trees. Farmers have faced challenges before and vow to come out stronger.

This is the first time avian flu has been confirmed in Tillamook County this year.