Pesticide Permit Updates, Spring Planting Estimates & Federal Funding Available

The Washington Department of Ecology is inviting comment on updates made to the Irrigation System Aquatic Weed Control General Permit, a permit required by the Washington State Water Pollution Control Act. The permit regulates pesticide use in controlling algae and aquatic weeds in irrigation systems in seventeen irrigation districts in Eastern Washington. An informational workshop and public hearing on the proposed draft permit will be held at the Department of Ecology Central Regional Office in Yakima, March 27. Public comments will be accepted by the WDE until 5 p.m. March 30.

This time of year finds Washington farmers determining what amounts of what crops they will plant. USDA Chief Economist Joe Glauber shares his first estimates on spring planting for the nation as a whole.

GLAUBER: We’re estimating corn plantings at about 94 million acres, the largest planting since 1944. We’re projecting soybean area at 75 million acres, that’s very similar to last year’s levels.
Wheat acres increasing about 3.6 million acres to 58 million.

USDA staff is currently surveying farmers on their spring planting intentions and will release their findings the end of March.

Reminder that farmers and ranchers in the Hangman Creek watershed should apply by March 16 for federal money available to install water quality conservation measures in that area. These measures could include direct seeding, fencing cattle out of the creek, and constructing cattle watering facilities away from the creek. To apply contact the Spokane Conservation District.

I’m Lacy Gray and that’s Washington Ag Today on the Northwest Ag Information Network.