Agriculture and Animals

Dog Fur Knitting New Craft, Old Northwest Tradition

Deena Prichep — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 01:45:52 +0000

As the cold winter weather rolls around, you may pull your warm wool sweater from the back of the closet. But these days, some people are knitting sweaters out of a different animal: dogs. It's a new craft movement that is actually part of a very old Northwest tradition.

Study: GMO Crops Need More Herbicide To Fend Off 'Superweeds'

Jessica Robinson — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 23:22:56 +0000

Farmers of genetically engineered crops are dramatically increasing their use of herbicides. That’s according to a new study out of Washington State University. Researchers say farmers are spraying more in response to the rise of so-called “superweeds.”

Alpha Male Wolf In Wedge Pack Killed, Ending State Hunt

Jessica Robinson — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 00:38:03 +0000

Washington wildlife managers say the hunt for a pack of grey wolves is over. A state marksman killed the alpha male of the pack Thursday in far northeast Washington. The department has killed a total of seven wolves from the Wedge Pack since August.

Northwest Fire Season Overlapping With Hunting Season

Jessica Robinson — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 00:19:45 +0000

Evacuation notices around the Northwest have subsided as fire crews beat back the threat of wildfire to homes and subdivisions.

Wolf Kills Create Blowback For State, Conservation Group

Jessica Robinson — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 00:52:07 +0000

Washington wildlife officials killed three more grey wolves near the Canadian border Wednesday . That brings the total kill to five this week. The state’s decision to take out an entire wolf pack is causing blowback for state wildlife managers, and for one environmental organization that supported the action.

Anti-Gillnet Coalition Suspends Ballot Measure Campaign

Chris Lehman — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 23:40:21 +0000

The group that's asking Oregon voters to ban the use of gillnets along the Columbia River says it's suspending its ballot measure campaign. The sponsors of the measure say they're instead backing a separate effort by Oregon’s governor to do essentially the same thing.

Much Of Washington’s Apple Crop In Danger Of Going Unpicked

Anna King — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 23:52:40 +0000

Washington state apple farmers have the second largest crop in history but too few pickers to get it all in this harvest. A worker shortage means there won’t be enough people to get the fruit off the trees quickly enough.

Oregon On The Lookout For Fertilizer Fraud

Chris Lehman — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 00:09:13 +0000

The state of Oregon is on the lookout for fraudulent fertilizer. State regulators say it’s a growing problem for indoor gardeners. The Oregon Department of Agriculture recently cracked down on a California company that it says was selling a potentially harmful product.

Northwest States Ask Public To 'Squeal' On Feral Pigs

Jessica Robinson — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 00:32:53 +0000

Washington, Oregon and Idaho are joining forces to track populations of feral pigs across the Northwest. These “hogs gone wild” can do massive damage to the landscape. And wildlife agents want to know where swine are on the move. They’re even launching a so-called “swine line” for people to call with sightings.

Northwest Wine Industry To Get Boost From Rail Shipping Expansion

Anna King — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 23:13:05 +0000

A company that ships Northwest produce to East Coast markets by rail plans an expansion that will benefit the region's wineries. Railex has reached an agreement with Ste. Michelle Wine Estates to build a massive wine storage warehouse in southeast Washington.