10/08/08 Farm Bureau general election endorsements

Washington Ag October 8, 2008 The political action committee of the Washington Farm Bureau has endorsed several candidates for the upcoming general election. Farm Bureau PAC Chairman Bob Stuhlmiller says the PAC is confident that the endorsed candidates understand and are willing to address the various needs and concerns of the state's farmers and ranchers. At the federal level the Farm Bureau endorses John McCain for President. Endorsements in congressional races are Doc Hastings, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, David Reichert and Adam Smith. State race endorsements include Dino Rossi for governor, Rob McKenna for Attorney General and Doug Sutherland for Commissioner of Public Lands. A full list of endorsements, including state legislative and local races is at the Farm Bureau website at wsfb.com The Washington field office of the Agricultural Statistics Service reported this week that the value of agricultural production in Washington last year was a record 8.51 billion dollars with numerous commodities setting all time value records. Dennis Koong of the Washington field office points out however, that these values don't reflect the cost side of the ledger. Koong: "Fertilizers. Fuels, labor have also increased substantially. So these don't reflect any net returns to the growers. It is just a gross value of production number." I'm Bob Hoff.