Food and Agriculture

Farmed Trout Go Vegetarian (Sort Of), Taste Virtually The Same

Tom Banse — Thu, 30 May 2013 14:30:55 +0000

The search is on for a cost-effective alternative fish food. And we don't mean the Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream flavor. What we're talking about is the pellets fed to farmed fish. A key ingredient in commercial feed is other fish caught in the wild. Northwest trout farmers - and some salmon growers - recognize that practice is unsustainable. But trout are carnivores. They can't just become vegetarians, or can they? Correspondent Tom Banse joined a taste test to see if seafood consumers can tell any difference.

Wheat Export Choke-Point Could Drive Down Prices For NW Farmers

Anna King — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 01:36:05 +0000

A possible strike at Northwest grain terminals would have a profound effect on U.S. wheat exports. Longshoreman in Portland are in tense labor negotiations that could affect six grain terminals including Portland, Vancouver and Puget Sound.

Minute Traces Of Radioactivity Found In Pacific Tuna

Tom Banse — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 23:48:17 +0000

Researchers with Oregon State University and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration say they’ve detected minute amounts of radioactivity from the Fukushima reactor meltdown in albacore tuna caught along the West Coast. It's not considered a health threat at all.

Northwest Wild Mushrooms In Short Supply

Anna King — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 00:27:37 +0000

Northwest wild mushrooms are in short supply this year. That’s had a big impact on the region’s lucrative mushroom hunting industry. It’s also changed what’s on fall restaurant menus in the Northwest and across the nation.

Labor Shortage Hits Some Apple Growers Hard

Anna King — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 23:52:08 +0000

The apple harvest season is starting to wrap up across the Northwest. Despite record yields, many farmers had trouble getting their time-sensitive crop off the trees because of a short labor supply.

Consumers Could See Higher Apple Prices This Year

Anna King — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 23:31:04 +0000

Moms and dads hoping to pack an apple in their children’s lunches might have to budget a bit more this year. That’s because even though the Northwest has seen a bumper crop in apples, elsewhere there’s a shortage.

WSU To Dedicate Richland Site For Wine Science Center

Anna King — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 00:18:08 +0000

Washington State University is known for its study of agriculture. This week, the university is dedicating a site that will be a research hub for wine.

Wounded -- And Possibly Cranky -- Grizzly Bear Loose In Idaho

Jessica Robinson — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 00:16:12 +0000

Idaho wildlife officials are worried a wounded grizzly bear on the loose could be a danger to people. A group of hunters shot the bear after it charged them in the eastern part of the state, across the border from Yellowstone National Park. Apparently, both the hunters and the bear were after the same elk.

County Takes Hard Line Against Leaving Fido In Hot Car

Jessica Robinson — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 00:44:49 +0000

One Northwest county is taking a hard line against dog owners who leave man’s best friend in the hot car this summer. Animal protection officers in Spokane County, Wash., say a prolonged trip to the mall could earn you criminal charges for animal cruelty – and a broken window.

South Korea Ban On Fresh Northwest Potatoes

Emilie Ritter Saunders — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 00:31:04 +0000

Starting Friday, fresh potatoes from Idaho, Oregon and Washington can no longer be exported to South Korea. As Capital Press reported earlier this week, Korea’s export ban results from concerns over an insect-borne disease that causes light yellow potato flesh to darken and stripe — the zebra chip.