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Cattle report for June 11, 2026
MARKET NOTES Not enough feeder cattle for accurate trend comparison Feeder cattle futures up $3.25–$5.27 CME Feeder Index: $370.10 (June 10) Cows 1.00–3.00 lower; bulls firm Active trade with good demand
As drought persists, Washington seeks new water strategies
With one year after another of high temperatures and low reservoir levels, growers and experts are looking for ways to adjust. “We’re in the fourth year of drought, and a lot of folks are asking questions about how agriculture can use water more efficiently,” said Jon DeVaney, director of the Washington Tree Fruit Growers Association. “One is, how can you run an efficient on-farm system when you have inconsistent water delivery? If you’re going to use the bare minimum, you have to make sure that bare minimum is really reliable. The broader context is looking at how, particularly in water-constrained areas like central Washington, we can make sure that we are going to have adequate water going forward as rainfall and snowfall patterns change.” The Washington Department of Ecology declared a drought emergency for the entire state in April, according to the agency’s website. The Northwest has had diminished snowpack in the mountains for several years, but this year is worse than in the past, Washington State Climatologist Karin Bumbaco said in June.
Employers required to monitor air quality during wildfire season
OLYMPIA — Wildfires are bad news, not only for firefighters and anybody that might be in their way, but also for people who work outdoors during the summer. “We’re lucky not to have had any smoke so far this year, but we’ve seen our fair share of wildfires,” said Lexi Smith, public information officer for the Grant County Health District, in mid-July. While technology has changed farming techniques for many crops, it hasn’t eliminated the need for farmers and farmworkers to be outdoors even when it’s smoky. There are ways to reduce the risks posed by smoky days, reflected in the work rules adopted by the Washington Department of Labor and Industries.
Visiting wineries in the Basin this summer
MOSES LAKE — Wine tasters around travelling the Basin have no shortage of options to choose from this summer. See below a list of local wineries from around the area.
Putting on a show: There’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes of a trade expo
When the harvest is over and winter sets in, that’s the season for agricultural trade shows. From crop-specific events to the enormous Spokane Ag Show, tens of thousands of people pour into expos, conventions and shows in Washington. Those don’t just spring up out of nowhere. “There are so many small things on the back end that people (don’t see)” said Sheri Nolan, an account manager at Ag Association Management. “(They just) walk up, they grab their name tag, they go to the meeting.” Nolan organizes seven shows every year as well as summer tours, field days and other public events, she said. Those include the Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association Conference in January, the Mint Convention in December, the Pacific Northwest Direct Seed Cropping Systems Conference, the Western Alfalfa Seed Growers Winter Convention and the International Fruit Tree Association Annual Meeting.
More thanpipes: How All American Plumbing is building a family legacy across the Columbia Basin
When a pipe bursts in Almira, a water heater fails in Grand Coulee or a homeowner in Mattawa needs help fast, Steve McUne doesn’t spend much time worrying about the miles. “If they’ll pay the drive, I’ll look out the window,” he said with a laugh. That willingness to go where he’s needed has helped All American Plumbing Services build a loyal customer base across the Columbia Basin, serving communities from Washtucna to Nespelem and from Ritzville to Mattawa. Nearly nine years after launching the business, McUne has become known for something increasingly rare in today’s fast-paced service industry: doing the job right the first time. “I will only do quality work,” McUne said. “It doesn’t matter what you do. Show pride in your work.”
The faces of the Grant County Fair
MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Fair is a celebration of livestock, exhibits and competition; but at its heart, it is a celebration of people. From first-time exhibitors to longtime volunteers, the fair brings together generations of community members whose stories are woven into one of Grant County’s traditions.
'Baby' and Humphreys win Best in Show
MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Fair had a large variety of animals on display from FFA students around the basin. One student, incoming Moses Lake High School junior Sarah Humphreys, earned a prize ribbon for Best In Show with her goose named Baby. “We’ve had her for maybe eight years,” said Humphreys. “She’s very much a family pet.” Humphreys said she has been showing animals for years, starting out with goats in her early years. After making the move into Moses Lake, she and her family took a break from showing animals, but she got back involved at the beginning of middle school.
Quincy Farmer Consumer Awareness Day celebration Sept. 12
QUINCY — Leia Watkins, chair of the Farmer-Consumer Awareness Day committee, said the purpose of the annual Quincy celebration is the same as it’s been since the first one in 1981. And it’s right there in the name. “The whole point is to connect the farmer with the consumer,” she said. Farmer Consumer Awareness Day 2026 is Sept. 12. Farmer-Consumer Awareness Day was founded to help people who aren’t farmers get a better understanding of agriculture, and where and how the food they buy is produced. Information is more readily available now, but many people still don’t understand, she said, and along with all the accurate information out there, there’s plenty of disinformation.
Ritzville Rodeo & Wheat Land Communities’ Fair set for Labor Day weekend 2026
RITZVILLE — The Wheat Land Communities’ Fair and Ritzville Rodeo will return to Ritzville over Labor Day weekend, Sept. 3-6, 2026, bringing together residents and visitors for one of Eastern Washington’s longest-running celebrations of agriculture, community and Western heritage. The fair will take place at the Wheat Land Fairgrounds in Ritzville and feature livestock shows, agricultural exhibits, commercial vendors, food concessions and live entertainment throughout the four-day event. Organizers describe the fair as a showcase of the region’s agricultural roots and a gathering place for families from across the Big Bend area.
