Food, agriculture and animals

A possible real-life cougar is stalking farm animals at Washington State University in Pullman.

Cherry season is upon us as the summer weather warms up east of the Cascades.

Washington and Oregon dairy farmers say they’re stressed out – the threat of bird flu in cattle is just adding to their woes.

As migratory birds make their way north to Alaska, Canada and the Arctic for the summer, they often fly over and stop in the Northwest. The birds could spread avian flu in cattle. Northwest dairy managers are encouraged to up their biosecurity measures in preparation.

In a world of calamity and climate change, just don’t mess with my fries! A hundred Northwest farmers and scientists stood in a Quincy-area field recently to make sure the golden goodness lives on despite future restrictions on pesticides, diminished ag lands, limits on water and a changing climate.

Light wheat is a problem this summer harvest in the Northwest. Farmers say the plants are stressed by heat and little rain. A fresh U.S. Department of Agriculture report says winter wheat crops in the Northwest are forecast to be down this year.

It’s peak cherry season in the Northwest. The fruits are typically grown outdoors in an orchard. This business in southeast Washington is doing things a little differently.

Across the Northwest crops are late. Cool spring weather has held back asparagus, potatoes and alfalfa. Even tree fruit blooms were late to flush open. Then, record-warm weather hit.

At issue are fertilizer leaks at the former Lost Valley Farm. The Easterdays, who now own the site, say they’re not responsible.

During spring’s prime calving season, lots of newborn calves have been dying from the cold.