Marketing meat poses challenges

Cattle producer Bette McKibben has a simple marketing strategy for approaching restaurants with her beef: She doesn't bother. It's not that their business doesn't appeal ...

Direct sales channels have own challenges

Selling meat directly to the public sounds like pretty straightforward concept, but it's typically much more complex in practice. Farmers are exploring various channels ...

Timing is key to impact of dairy slaughter

With its latest herd retirement under way, Cooperatives Working Together will have sent about 250,000 dairy cows to slaughter over the past year. The impact on beef pro ...

Animal ID system approaches crossroads

Cattle groups are hoping that actions by Congress and input from producers will put an end to talk of making participation in the National Animal Identification System mandat ...

A matter of timing

AURORA, Ore. -- Reducing production costs on nurseries can mean the difference between sinking or swimming. One place growers can look for cost savings is in pest contro ...

Nursery industry 'retrenching'

America's foundering economy, especially the housing and landscaping sectors, is doing no favors for nurseries that specialize in container and field stock. The greenhou ...

Native plants take root on the road

Growers of native plants and seeds have found an expanding market in government roadside revegetation projects. In 2007 U.S. Forest Service botanist Scott Riley co-wrote ...

Program would fight new diseases

A citrus-disease bill should be a sure thing this year, barring any bad luck. Last year, with California in the earlier stages of a continuing budget crisis, Gov. Arnold ...

Researcher varies alley management

Two and a half years of alley-management studies in vineyards have revealed some valuable data. Oregon State University Extension viticulture specialist Patricia Skinkis is lo ...

East Willamette Valley wineries

East Willamette Valley wineries Oswego Hills Winery in West Linn; Kings Raven in Oregon City; Christopher Bridge in Oregon City; St. Josef's Winery in Canby; Hanson Vineyards ...

Madera vintners find 'sweet spot'

It seems the only thing California's Madera County wine country lacks are limos, tour buses and a crush of tasting room visitors. But amid the quiet and the grapevines n ...

U.S. preferences keep wineries hopping

The "big four" of Chardonnay, Cabernet, Merlot and white Zinfandel are still the kings of wine as far as American consumers are concerned. But other wines are gaining in ...