News
Read recent and past articles from Basin Business Journal here
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 way…
WSU plant pathology graduates lead crop-defending clean plant programs
SPOKANE — Viral diseases cause multi-billion-dollar damages to global food crops annually. Scientists at Washington State University are training the next gene…
CWU BCS sets national example for community engagement
ELLENSBURG — Since its inception in 2023, the Business and Community Services (BCS) department at Central Washington University has been facilitating conversat…
Cattle market produces good returns in 2025
ELLENSBURG — Improved cattle prices resulted in a better year for ranchers in 2025. “Cattle prices have been record-setting over the last year,” said Exec…
RODEO SCHEDULE: Columbia Basin Circuit
MOSES LAKE — With the new year finally upon us, a new rodeo season is on the horizon. The Columbia River circuit provided a lot of entertainment for local fans throughout the 2026 season and this year should be no …
Klompen Farms: Family-run hay producer turns decades of know-how into repeat wins — and loyal customers
ROYAL CITY — For nearly four decades, Klompen Farms has been a name synonymous with meticulous haymaking in the Columbia Basin. Co-owner Bob Wieldraayer said h…
Commodity report for Jan. 9, 2026
Apples, pears, other crops
Powering predictions for potato farmers
Potato growers in Washington have a powerful new tool to help them make decisions about their crops, one that’s saving the industry in the state nearly $10 mil…
U of I researchers target mounting fungal threat to Idaho potato industry
University of Idaho Extension soil sample testing reveals that three-quarters of Idaho potato fields are now infected with some level of the pathogen Spongospo…
Pesticide pioneers: University of Idaho research team taking novel approach to develop new fungicides for potato farmers
A University of Idaho research team is pioneering the use of computer molecular modeling to develop new agricultural fungicides, including some that will attac…
Potato talk: Washington-Oregon Potato Conference highlights one of the Pacific Northwest’s greatest crops
The Pacific Northwest as a whole is known for agriculture in general with forestry, ranching and farming everywhere, and potatoes is a strong crop throughout t…