Cattle production is often at the mercy of major influences, such as market volatility, government regulations and feed supplies and shortages. These prominent factors undeniably shape the industry and impact producer success on a broad scale.

Potato growers across North America are increasingly turning to mustard as a rotational crop, but nowhere is the opportunity more compelling than in Idaho. As the second-largest mustard-producing state in the U.S. and the nation’s leading potato producer, Idaho holds a unique position where mustard and potatoes can work jointly to deliver sustainable market advantages for both crops.

From diverse crop rotations to rotational grazing, the Neuharths are proving that regenerative farming builds resilience and sustainability.

“The ag community is all suffering. We all know this,” says Brandon Vining, president of ProGro Agronomy in St. Anthony. Agronomic outcomes differed by region, but low commodity prices and high input costs have most producers (outside of the beef industry) tightening their belts and hoping for better times.

Perennial forages improve soil structure, reduce compaction and help leach salts from the root zone. For producers committed to stewardship, perennials are more than cover – they’re a strategy for resilience.

A profitable, drought-tolerant crop can be a welcome addition to a dryland rotation in the arid Intermountain West. Particularly following a push for clean fuels created by the U.S. Energy Policy Act of 2005, camelina (Camelina sativa) entrepreneurs have been making the case for expanding acres of this oilseed.

Idaho’s barley fields became more than just a harvest site in 2024; they became a proving ground. For the first time, the state launched a barley yield contest, adding a competitive edge to the season and spotlighting the precise practices happening on local farms.

Wild oats (Avena fatua) – they’re fast, sneaky and persistent. If you’re a small-grain producer, you already know this grassy weed can rob you of yield, quality and profits. But here’s the good news: With smart strategies, you can turn the tables.

McGraw decided to pivot and instead “do what the farm wants to do.”

If you’re looking for an alternative crop to wheat, teff might be an option. But production-wise, Idaho growers want to know how it fits into a rotation, what the water and nutrient requirements are, what it looks like at harvest and what the market potential is.