Latest news with #OregonDepartmentofAgriculture
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Oregon Dept. of Agriculture warns of possible spotted lanternfly sighting in Portland
PORTLAND, Ore. () – The Oregon Department of Agriculture is warning about an unconfirmed sighting of a spotted lanternfly in a Portland residential park – posing ecological and economic threats to the state. In a Thursday press release, the department said it was made aware of an online report from — a platform where community members can share observations from the outdoors — with an image of a spotted lanternfly at Colonel Summers Park on May 12. That week, ODA and the United States Department of Agriculture conducted visual surveys of the park and surrounding neighborhood to find signs of the insect, set monitoring traps and conduct outreach with neighbors. Esquire names 2 new Oregon hotels among the best in the world But after two surveys, ODA said there were no signs of the spotted lanternfly, leaving the iNaturalist report unconfirmed. The state and federal agencies will continue conducting surveys and trap the area in the coming weeks, officials said, noting until ODA collects a 'physical specimen,' and has confirmed the sighting, the spotted lantern is not considered to be present in the state. While ODA has not documented any living spotted lanternfly populations in Oregon, staffers in the agency have 'intercepted multiple dead adult SLF and a live egg mass on incoming equipment from outside Oregon in recent years,' ODA said. Longstanding summer festival will return to North Portland after 1-year hiatus 'These interceptions highlight the risk of introducing SLF into Oregon, as rail cars, trucks, other cargo, and even personal vehicles move from infested states to the West, where SLF is not known to occur,' ODA explained. According to the agency, SLF pose an ecological and economic threat to the state because the insect attacks a variety of plant species and are known to impact the grapevine and nursery industries. ODA explained the lanternfly is known to exist in 18 states in the mid-west and eastern parts of the United States. The agency asks residents to report potential sightings to the Oregon Invasive Species Hotline. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
With Trump tariffs, Oregon wine is over a barrel
President Donald Trump's tariffs are hurting Oregon's wine business. (Oregon Department of Agriculture/Flickr) One of the first Oregon impacts of this year's international trade wars came to our house in a pleasing way: in the form of a few bottles of good wine, gifts from friends who work in that industry. We live in the north Willamette wine country, where personal connections to the wine industry are not hard to find. Those bottles were emblematic, though, of a bigger situation not nearly so benign. Some weeks ago, as wineries in our region packed and sent crates of wine north to Canada as they long have done, they encountered a surprise. The border was as far as many of them got, and their wine had to be trucked back, unsold, to Oregon. Canada had essentially stopped accepting alcohol from the U.S., including Oregon alcohol. The response and rules at the border have shifted, but sales are being heavily impacted by President Donald Trump's recent tariff announcements. Many Oregon winemakers are accumulating a wine surplus. Some, probably small but unknown numbers of cases, may be turning into giveaways, pleasant for the recipients but lousy for a wine producer's bottom line. The massive worldwide tariffs Trump promised — and then announced he would pause for 90 days — can be expected to further dampen the state's wine trade. Wine is a smaller part of Oregon's trade picture than some other commodities, but it offers a useful insight into how the tariffs are affecting the state. And it is a major industry in Oregon, with about 1,100 wineries statewide. Last week, a friend who had worked in wine import and export described for me how the system worked. When shipped internationally, the product changed ownership — from the producer or wholesaler to my friend's own company — before it crossed the border, so that when the shipment cleared customs, his company paid the tariff or fees (where they existed). That was the first impact of a tariff. Companies ordinarily factor tariffs into the retail price, and individual wine buyers ultimately pay most or all of that cost. That boosted purchase price is how most people experience tariffs. The existence of a tariff doesn't keep something from crossing national lines, and a small tariff may not matter much, but large ones can change the business incentives for all parties. Oregon wine makers might in one way, at first, benefit from higher tariffs on the countries (such as Italy, Chile, Australia, Argentina and many more) that import wine into the U.S where they are imposed. That might drive some domestic wine drinkers toward more American producers, which could help Oregon wine producers, though it usually has the effect of raising domestic prices as well. Other aspects of higher border-crossing prices are likely to cut against the industry. Some of those are smaller and might not be especially visible outside the industry, such as higher prices paid by the Oregon industry for imported barrels, steel for supplies and equipment, production equipment and more. Oregon's leading export targets overall are (in order) Mexico, China and Canada, and about 81,000 jobs are reliant on that export trade. The impact on trade may be easier to observe in the wine industry, because close to half of all Oregon wine exports go (or in recent years have gone) to Canada: In 2022, that was 73,323 cases of a total export of 162,939. 'We're just watching it play out in real time, and it's not pretty,' Alex Sokol Blosser, president of Sokol Blosser Winery in Dayton, Oregon, said in a recent KGW interview. 'All that business we worked for, and the president lit a match to it.' Anne Amie vineyards, near Carlton, has been moving from local tasting room sales toward an all-wholesale model, and one significant element of that has been a large prospective sale — thousands of cases — to a buyer in Quebec. Negotiations had been active for months, but after recent Trump trade announcements, Canadians ended them. Other wineries have had comparable experiences. There are ripple effects through many other industries as well. The US Wine Trade Alliance argued on April 2 that 'restaurants will suffer, domestic producers will face new obstacles in bringing their wines to market, and retailers, importers, and distributors across the country will be placed at serious risk. With their biggest profit center decimated, many restaurant investors will decide to take their money elsewhere.' Last week, thousands of Oregonians showed at up the Hands Off anti-Trump rallies around the state, and plenty of signs criticized the new tariffs. I didn't see any that complained specifically about administration impacts on the wine industry. But it wouldn't be surprising if, in coming weeks, they start to appear. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Globe and Mail
09-04-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Seed-to-Shelf Transparency: Tracing Oregon's Hemp Flower Supply Chain
"In a rapidly growing industry, Oregon's hemp producers are raising the bar for product quality and consumer confidence through 'seed-to-shelf' transparency." How Local Regulations, Rigorous Testing, and Consumer Transparency Shape Product Quality In a rapidly growing industry, Oregon's hemp producers are raising the bar for product quality and consumer confidence through 'seed-to-shelf' transparency. From the moment a hemp seed is planted to the final packaged product, every step of the supply chain is meticulously tracked, tested, and documented to comply with regulations set by the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and federal guidelines. Hemp Flower Co., a regenerative farm nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, is one of several Oregon-based operations embracing this holistic approach. According to Michal P., Co-Founder of Hemp Flower Co., meeting the ODA's stringent standards involves more than routine testing; it requires a deep-seated commitment to responsible cultivation and open communication with consumers. 'From our perspective, transparency begins long before the seeds go into the ground,' says Michal P. 'We start by selecting high-quality, genetically stable hemp strains that thrive in Oregon's climate. Every strain is documented for origin and authenticity, ensuring farmers, distributors, and end users know exactly what they're getting.' The Role of Rigorous Testing One of the central pillars of seed-to-shelf transparency lies in rigorous laboratory testing. The ODA mandates that growers submit samples of hemp flower for potency, pesticide, and contaminant analysis to ensure compliance with both state and federal regulations. These tests verify that hemp products remain under the 0.3% Delta-9 limit set by the 2018 Farm Bill and are free from harmful pesticides or heavy metals. 'We perform multiple tests throughout the growing season and again just before harvest,' explains Michal P. 'By doing so, we guarantee that our hemp flower meets both ODA and USDA standards for purity and safety. After harvesting, we maintain detailed batch records so customers can track a product's journey back to its exact harvest date and lab test results.' Labeling and Traceability Measures In addition to stringent testing, labeling plays a crucial role in providing transparency. Every Hemp Flower Co. product undergoes a clearly labeled process: from lot numbers and QR codes on packaging to readily accessible laboratory reports hosted online. These features give buyers instant access to critical data, such as cannabinoid profiles and exact harvest information. 'Oregon's labeling requirements are designed to reassure consumers,' says Michal P. 'When a customer scans a QR code or reads a label, they should feel confident that they're purchasing a compliant, high-quality hemp product backed by verifiable records.' Building Consumer Trust This seed-to-shelf methodology is more than a regulatory obligation; it's a testament to the ethical standards driving Oregon's hemp industry forward. By combining best-in-class cultivation practices with transparent recordkeeping, producers like Hemp Flower Co. aim to maintain a safe, trustworthy marketplace while highlighting Oregon's leadership in hemp innovation. For more information on Oregon's hemp regulations, visit the Oregon Department of Agriculture website or contact your local ODA representative. Additional interviews, farm tours, and product samples are available upon request. Disclaimer: All hemp products referenced above are cultivated, processed, and distributed in accordance with the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill, which requires that any hemp-derived product contain no more than 0.3% Delta-9 on a dry-weight basis. At the same time, these products are federally legal.
Globe and Mail
08-04-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Oregon Leading the Charge in Hemp Genetics: New Strains and Breakthrough Research
"Through careful collaboration, transparent testing, and a willingness to push regulatory boundaries, local growers and researchers remain focused on elevating standards and inspiring national conversations around hemp's versatile potential." How Specialized Varieties Are Reshaping Consumer Demand and Regulatory Frameworks Oregon's hemp industry is taking bold strides toward the future, thanks to the pioneering efforts of local growers and research institutions developing specialized hemp strains. From sativa-like and indica-like varieties to unique flavor profiles, these genetic innovations could reshape everything from consumer preferences to the state's hemp regulations. Hemp Flower Co., a regenerative farm Oregon, stands at the forefront of this movement. According to Michal P., Co-Founder of Hemp Flower Co., the combination of targeted breeding and climate-adaptive research is bringing unprecedented diversity to the hemp market. 'Oregon's climate and regulatory environment provide the perfect breeding ground for experimentation,' says Michal P. 'We're collaborating with universities and independent labs to create strains that not only meet legal thresholds but also offer robust cannabinoid content, a range of terpene profiles, and even pest resistance.' The Importance of Specialized Strains While many people associate hemp -rich varieties, Oregon-based breeders are delving into more nuanced genetic traits. This includes developing sativa-leaning strains for those seeking an energizing effect and indica-like strains designed for more calming properties, though all remain within the legal definition of hemp. By fine-tuning cannabinoid ratios and terpene combinations, growers can tailor their crops to specific consumer demands in wellness, textiles, or even culinary applications. 'The real magic happens when we can introduce consumers to flavor notes they didn't know were possible in hemp,' Michal P. explains. 'From citrusy and floral aromas to earthy, pine-like undertones, the terpenes we isolate or emphasize have the potential to redefine what people expect from hemp flower.' Collaboration with Research Institutions Local colleges and agricultural research centers in Oregon play a pivotal role in advancing hemp genetics. These partnerships often involve sharing germplasm, conducting field trials, and analyzing data on pest resistance, growth cycles, and yield outcomes. The results inform future breeding programs and guide best practices in cultivation. 'We're not just experimenting for the sake of novelty,' notes Michal P. 'By pairing with academic institutions, our work is grounded in verifiable data—whether it's about plant resilience, cannabinoid content, or environmental impact. That scientific rigor ultimately benefits both the industry and consumers.' Shaping Regulations and Consumer Expectations As new hemp strains enter the market, regulators must keep pace. The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) is tasked with ensuring all hemp products remain within legal Delta-9 levels, an area that becomes increasingly intricate when farmers cultivate strains with varied cannabinoid profiles. Oregon's proactive stance on research and testing has been vital to maintaining both consumer safety and market dynamism. 'These forward-thinking breeding programs can influence future guidelines,' Michal P. says. 'We're already seeing robust discussions about terpene labeling, potency classifications, and expanded product categories—all spurred by the arrival of these new genetics.' A Look Ahead With consumer interest in hemp expanding beyond unique flavors, wellness applications, and textile fibers, Oregon's continued investment in research-driven breeding places the state at the cutting edge of hemp innovation. Through careful collaboration, transparent testing, and a willingness to push regulatory boundaries, local growers and researchers remain focused on elevating standards and inspiring national conversations around hemp's versatile potential. For more information on Oregon's hemp regulations, visit the Oregon Department of Agriculture website or contact your local ODA representative. Additional interviews, farm tours, and product samples are available upon request. Disclaimer: All hemp products referenced above are cultivated, processed, and distributed in accordance with the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill, which requires that any hemp-derived product contain no more than 0.3% Delta-9 on a dry-weight basis. At the same time, these products are federally legal.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Yahoo
How high: OLCC detects excessive levels of THC in products advertised as hemp
PORTLAND, Ore. () — Oregon's cannabis regulators are sounding the alarm on 'widespread non-compliance' in the hemp market. Despite the fact that hemp is defined as a cannabis plant with less than 0.3% of THC, the Oregon Department of Agriculture's Cannabis Reference Laboratory found that all of the hemp flower samples it tested exceeded this threshold. And some contained as much as 30.5% THC. Portland agencies to remove returned payment fees after investigation dinged water bureau These findings, along with several other cases of non-compliance, were uncovered in the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission's on Wednesday. In the report, the commission notes that the prominence of hemp products aimed to offer consumers a non-intoxicating substance — but many brands have wrongly sold marijuana-derived products while advertising them as hemp. Both the OLCC and ODA probed into 'concerns of contamination and product misrepresentation' in the market by testing 151 cannabis product samples. Researchers found that 72% of the hemp edibles they successfully purchased for the investigation were prohibited from being sold to Oregon customers. This was due to the amount of artificially derived cannabinoids or delta-9-THC — the primary active ingredient giving users the 'high' feeling — they contained. Former Clackamas County Commissioner defrauded mother's 83-year-old boyfriend out of over $30K, records show And only 10% of the edibles researchers purchased had a 'clear' potency label that matched the test results. The investigation also found that one batch of marijuana contained nearly 10 times the amount of pesticides that is legally allowed. The product has since been recalled, according to officials. In addition to concerns with the legality of the product samples, the commission also raised red flags over the hemp industry's age verification processes. The commission claimed it was able to purchase 91% of the hemp edible samples and 87% of the flower samples it attempted to buy online, without having to adequately verify its age. University of Oregon faculty threaten to strike for fair contract OLCC Commission Chair Dennis Doherty these findings point to an industry-wide need for 'stronger oversight.' Officials have worked toward this since the 2023 passage of House Bill 2931, which established the laboratory used for the report. 'The new legislative measures will help protect consumers, particularly minors, and ensure the industry operates responsibly,' Doherty added in a statement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
