House Poised for Farm Bill & WildFires plus Discover the Forest

House Poised for Farm Bill & WildFires plus Discover the Forest. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Northwest Report.

With the Senate version of the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act, better known as the Farm Bill, behind them all eyes have been turned to the House. Congressman Doc Hastings says they hope to get into discussion coming up next week.

HASTINGS: Well if things go on schedule the House will be taking up their version of the farm bill next week and we expect to be on the floor virtually all week for that. We will come up obviously with a different product that what the Senate is but that will allow us to go to conference and get a final bill before the end of September when the current farm bill expires. I’m encouraged at this point. There are some areas of controversy which is to be expected.

A recent wildfire only a mile or so from my home was a stark reminder that it is fire season here in the northwest. Lightning strikes have sparked two fires south of the Owyhee Reservoir in Eastern Oregon burning some 20-thousand acres after being fanned by winds up to 30 mph. Officials say the fire is threatening three ranches and numerous outbuildings in the area, but none have been damaged yet.

Now USDA’s Susan Carter says to Discover the Forest.

(USDA Report)

Thanks Susan. That’s today’s Northwest Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.