As the Administration continues its push to reduce the government workforce, hop growers are feeling the impact.
The Washington Hop Commission says more than $1.5 million was spent on a lab at Washington State University, but now, their researchers no longer work there.
“So that’s establishing a lab, all the instruments that go in the lab, a six-acre research plot, as well as a hop yard, as well as a hop picker, and a kiln facility. There’s a lot of infrastructure that went into place, which was meant to serve him his entire career and to help us with this research. Unfortunately, as of now, that laboratory is empty, and all of his research work is indefinite. We don’t know what’s going to happen next,” said Maggie Elliott.
That facility was established as a hop stress physiology lab. Elliott says the Washington Hop Commission along with other groups invested around $300,000 to launch the program.
Mike Steenhoek with the Soy Transportation Coalition joins us to discuss the proposed federal gas tax suspension, fuel cost pressures, and what the policy could mean for agriculture and transportation.
Officials say the tool could give Florida citrus growers another option against a disease that has devastated production for decades.
Farmdoc economist estimates 2024 colony stock losses at roughly $175 million, with rebuilding and renovation costs near $161 million.
China’s soybean buying is shifting hard toward Brazil, leaving U.S. shipments at risk of slowing as South America’s record crop reaches export channels
Lower wheat production, smaller stocks, and higher projected prices explain the rally and put more attention on Plains crop conditions.
U.S. grain export inspections stayed solid for the week ending May 7, with corn still leading the export pace and soybeans posting a strong weekly rebound.
