Tsunami watches are issued for large portions of the Western U.S. coast

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins has issued a message this morning after a magnitude 8.8 earthquake rocked the Bering Sea, raising concerns for farmers and ranchers along the Western U.S. seaboard.

The earthquake struck around 300 miles East of Russia’s coastline last night, around 6:30 PM Eastern. NOAA has been tracking the aftermath, issuing tsunami watches and warnings for Hawaii and Alaska, as well as trading partners like Japan.

Secretary Rollins says USDA is closely watching the developments, making sure all USDA employees and partners are safe. She is urging prayers for all those impacted.

RFD-TV Meteorologist Kirk Harnack gives the latest news for farmers and ranchers along the coast, as well as what he has heard from colleagues.

Related Stories
Spring Weather Shapes Planting Pace Across U.S. Regions
The 91st anniversary of Black Sunday highlights how the Dust Bowl disaster led to modern soil conservation programs still shaping U.S. agriculture today.
A late-season freeze in northeast Louisiana has forced farmers to replant thousands of corn acres, adding costs, straining seed supplies, and raising concerns about shifting to soybeans.
Texas continues to play a critical role in the U.S. beef supply chain, with both cow-calf operations and feedlots contributing significantly to national production.
A Nebraska rancher says his land may not support cattle this year after 2,000 acres were burned in recent devastating wildfires across the state.
Brandy Carroll with the Arkansas Farm Bureau shares an update on planting conditions and what producers are facing this season.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

With the Farm Bill now in the Senate’s hands, industry groups say the stakes are high—and timely action could be critical for producers navigating a difficult economic environment.
Tennessee corn and soy farmer Josh Ogle joins us to discuss rapid planting progress in the state, improving moisture conditions, and early crop development challenges in the MidSouth region.
Paul Neiffer joined us to explain how USDA’s base acre expansion will be calculated, outline key deadlines for farmers, and discuss how the changes tie into farm program decisions and the broader Farm Bill outlook.
Chad Fiechter joins us to discuss Purdue’s precision ag study, challenges in capturing value from technology, and what farmers should consider when investing in and adopting these tools.