agr.wa.gov

Santa’s reindeer cleared to fly into Washington State on Christmas Eve

Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph received clearance from the State Veterinarian to fly into Washington state. (PHOTO COURTESY OF ED AND SONYA BENHARDT/ ...
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Animal health considerations after a flood

Pets, livestock, residents, agricultural workers and their families have been impacted by the recent atmospheric river flooding event in Western Washington. People and animals are displaced, feed ...
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WSDA confirms HPAI in domestic flocks in three Washington counties

OLYMPIA, WA. — Nov. 20, 2025 — Fall migration of wild waterfowl is peaking in Washington State bringing high risk of avian influenza (bird flu) to domestic flocks statewide. Washington State ...
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WSDA confirms HPAI in Grant County

OLYMPIA – October 10, 2025 – The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) confirms Grant County’s first detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI or H5N1), commonly known as bird ...
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Washington farmers featured in school lunches on Taste Washington Day

This week, school cafeterias across Washington state will spotlight and serve locally grown foods as part of the annual Taste Washington Day celebration. More than 35 farms and food producers and over ...
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Farm to table: A partnership rooted in local food

September is officially Eat Local Month in Washington, which provides an opportunity to pause and recognize the people behind Washington’s local food. For Genine Bradwin, co-owner of Kirsop Farm and ...
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West Nile virus detected in Yakima County horse

OLYMPIA, WA – Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has reported the first case of West Nile virus (WNV) in a Yakima County horse this year. On September 11, the Washington Animal Disease ...
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New World Screwworm: An emerging threat to mammals

The New World Screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) may have an unusual name but it’s a very real parasitic fly that poses a serious threat to both animals and people. Although the U.S. successfully ...
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New plants added to state quarantine list

After months of public and industry outreach, investigations into the impact on small businesses, and receiving petitions from the community, the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s (WSDA) ...
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Washington Bee Atlas nets over 25 new or rare bee species in its first year

OLYMPIA – After only its first full program year searching for and documenting Washington’s native bees and their host plants, volunteers with the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s (WSDA) ...
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Protect your horses: Don’t skip the West Nile Virus vaccine

While most cases in Washington are concentrated in Central and Eastern Washington, they can occur anywhere mosquitoes are active—from late spring through fall. WNV is spread by mosquitoes that have ...
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Report highlights voices of food assistance clients in rural Washington

OLYMPIA, WA — Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Food Assistance has released a new report highlighting the perspectives of food bank clients in rural Northeast Washington. The report, ...