A Washington state representative is advocating for updated cattle methane emission data. The bill could increase the cost of beef, cheese, milk, and more.
However, its sponsor argues having up-to-date methane data will go a long way.
“Let’s see what the data says. Where does it lead us? Do we need to do any policy beyond monitoring? And that’s where I’m at. I don’t like to make decisions, especially about something like climate change or anything else that’s not scientifically backed up. And if we find and discover that the methane in Washington on these feed lots and these dairy farms aren’t worthy of anything further than monitoring— that’s great! We’ve done what we asked,” Rep. Lisa Parshley explains.
She says that she does not want to negatively impact food production or availability, but no policy is perfect from the start.
“If we don’t start with monitoring, we could end up with a policy based on assumptions, innuendos, and data from another state, which may have different production methods, may have difference size dairies and feed lots, and they may have corporations which are much, much larger and have much more of an impact,” she adds. “Let’s start with understanding what Washington has.”
Opponents call it an attack on Washinton state’s farmers and ranchers.
Dr. David Anderson with Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension discusses how geopolitical tensions and the Middle East, along with export disruptions in the Chinese market, will shape cattle markets in the months ahead.
March 12, 2026 12:54 PM
·
A man accused of orchestrating a nationwide cattle investment fraud scheme has been arrested in California after being on the FBI’s wanted list.
March 12, 2026 11:33 AM
·
Ben Kurtzman with American Farmland Trust discusses the growing pressure on farmland and ranchland and the steps being taken to help conserve farms and ranches across the country ,as unrest in the Middle East adds more obstacles for producers.
March 11, 2026 03:18 PM
·
Jake Charleston of Specialty Risk Insurance offers his perspective on current cattle market conditions and shares advice for producers seeking to stay protected in an uncertain market.
March 10, 2026 03:08 PM
·
National Pork Producers Council incoming president Rob Brenneman shares insights from the National Pork Industry Forum in Kansas City, where producers gathered to discuss Farm Bill policy, sustainability, and other priorities for the year ahead.
March 10, 2026 01:44 PM
·
USDA’s March WASDE report leaves U.S. corn, soybean and wheat ending stocks unchanged while adjusting global production estimates for South America.
March 10, 2026 01:01 PM
·
