A Lot Of Work & Liquor Privatization

A Lot Of Work & Liquor Privatization plus Food Forethought. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report.

The House may just earn their keep this week as deadline are looming for both the farm bill and government spending. Things seem to be cooling a bit when it comes to Syria and rumors are saying there maybe work done on the nutrition bill later in the week and Congressman Doc Hastings says there is a lot to be done.

HASTINGS: The agenda still is to try to get an immigration bill, obviously a farm bill. We have the debt limit coming up here in another month or so so all of those issues are kind of changing they dynamics but there is an expectation to get these other things done before the end of the year. I hope that happens.

Oregon has been following how Washington has fared since the privatization of the liquor industry in the last couple of years. Rob Partridge, the new head of the Oregon Liquor Control Board says that while they have not actually done a study on the effects privatization would have he does say it would not be good. To date there has not been any legislation brought forth but some say it could become a hot topic in the 2014 year. Washington's move to private alcohol says has allowed more retail businesses to sell product but higher taxes have been curbing sales.

Now with today's Food Forethought, here's Lacy Gray.

It's National Farm Safety and Health Week in the U.S. As an ag radio network we often run public service announcements on farm safety during spring planting and fall harvest times; reminding farmers to make sure equipment is in good repair, to wear protective clothing when working with and around agricultural chemicals, and to make sure all their workers are up to speed on farm safety protocol. But farm safety should be a number one priority all year long. Just as many accidents can happen in the dead of winter caring for livestock, fencing, and farm buildings as they do during peak planting and harvest times. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that over the last few years there has been a decrease in overall farm injuries, but there has been an increase in the number of "non-working" children being injured - children that are merely bystanders not engaged in actual farm work. Working farms are a wonderful place for children to grow up, but common sense measures need to be in place at all times - that way they'll be able to share those treasured memories of being a farm kid with their children and grandchildren.

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