Idaho Ag Industry News

Idaho sets animal entry requirements following New World screwworm detection

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 11:37:05 -0400

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) announced additional state entry requirements for animals in response to New World screwworm (NWS) detections in Texas and New Mexico.

Ag legislative update 2026 – end of session

cassidy@agproud.com — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The Idaho 2026 legislative session has concluded, with some of the bills and resolutions relating to agriculture recapped here. To access the full details or to learn how your legislators voted, visit the Idaho Legislature website.

Ag Proud – Idaho donates more than $1,500 to Idaho FFA chapters following subscription drive

cassidy@agproud.com — Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Ag Proud – Idaho magazine announced recently that FFA chapters have received donations totaling $1,527 following the publication's 2025 subscription renewal drive.

How weight loss drugs could reshape food demand

rjmyers@beobank.com — Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Growing use of GLP-1 weight loss drugs is reshaping food demand, pushing consumers toward smaller portions and healthier foods while forcing farmers, ranchers and food companies to adapt production strategies.

Introducing the Idaho FFA state officers 2026-27

Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

It is that time of year once again. Six accomplished individuals have been named Idaho FFA state officers for the 2026-27 school year.

Idaho Falls processing plant closes abruptly

cassidy@agproud.com — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

American Farmers Network, a beef and bison processing plant formerly known as Intermountain Packing in Idaho Falls, abruptly closed its doors in early April.

Precision decisions: How AI will shape dairy performance in 2026

mulloago@purdue.edu — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 14:38:11 -0400

Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging in 2026 not as a futuristic concept but as a practical response to the complexity of dairy farming. Its primary value is not automation for its own sake but the ability to improve decisions across thousands of animals and management variables.

Water and prices hot topics at Idaho Potato Conference

tyrell@agproud.com — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

As it does every year, the Idaho Potato Conference, held in Pocatello Jan. 21-22, delivered vital educational opportunities for growers, agronomists and the allied industry. With the potato industry facing some of the highest supplies and lowest prices it has seen in years, wise producers are taking any opportunity to gain an edge in the coming year.

Canal lining project underway in Twin Falls County

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Water shortages have been a rising concern throughout Idaho during recent years. What makes this matter even worse is when a canal is unable to effectively hold all the water that it does contain. Twin Falls Canal Company (TFCC) is in the process of solving that issue for many of their shareholders.

Performance report highlights conservation districts’ impact

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Idaho conservation districts are locally led and meet the unique needs of a specific area, whether those needs are education, watercraft inspection, invasive species management, irrigation improvement, healthier soils, fuel reduction, tree planting or fish habitat improvement.

The financial condition of Idaho agriculture: 2025

bwilder@uidaho.edu — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Idaho has a new top ag commodity: beef cattle. Livestock sector gains led Idaho farmgate cash receipts to a second consecutive all-time high in 2025. Net farm income is forecast to see a small year-over-year increase, with livestock sector gains outweighing losses in the crop sector.

Legislative ag roundup: Priorities in 2026

cassidy@agproud.com — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Leaders from some of Idaho’s agricultural sectors share their expectations and priorities for the 2026 legislative session.

Celebrating the future of Idaho ranching: ICA 2025 Heifer of the Year

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

For Avery Oswald of Rigby, Idaho, winning the Idaho Cattle Association (ICA) 2025 Heifer of the Year (HOY) program was a key milestone in her dream of running her own cattle operation someday.

Interest rate outlook for 2026: Lower but not low

doug.robison@agwestfc.com — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Looking ahead, current Federal Reserve forecasts project only one more 0.25% rate cut in 2026 and a final 0.25% cut in 2027. In contrast, CME fed fund futures anticipate two rate cuts in 2026, with the first likely at the March or April FOMC meeting.

Fuel prices and what’s shaping the market

qizhang@uidaho.edu — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Producers should expect gradual price improvements in the coming year, while also preparing for seasonal volatility and the possibility that global events may quickly alter fuel availability and costs.

Idaho FFA well represented at the 2025 National Convention

cassidy@agproud.com — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

The 98th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, wrapped up at the end of October with several standout moments from Idaho members. Out of the Idaho FFA members competing in 26 different Career and Leadership Development Events (CDEs), 10 teams or individuals placed in the top 10 nationally.

New forage harvester series debut in Idaho

cassidy@agproud.com — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

It was a big year for the forage harvesting industry, with both John Deere and Claas unveiling new series this summer. Several operators across southern Idaho had the opportunity to demo these machines while on tour in September.

Idaho’s brucellosis rule under review this year

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In 2020, Gov. Brad Little signed Executive Order 2020-01, known as Zero-Based Regulation. The order requires every Idaho administrative rule to be repealed and either allowed to expire or reissued after a complete and thorough evaluation.

Know an FFA student? Help their chapter earn cash

cassidy@agproud.com — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

This fall, your local FFA chapter has the opportunity to earn a significant cash donation by participating in Ag Proud – Idaho’s subscription drive.

Ultra-processed foods, MAHA and Idaho ag

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

As the Make America Healthy Again Commission (MAHA) makes headlines, Idaho producers may wonder where changing policies and recommendations leave them. One article of particular interest is the disavowal of “ultra-processed foods.”

A Q&A with Dan Salmi on advancing animal disease readiness in Idaho

cassidy@agproud.com — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) announced in July that its Animal Health Laboratory has officially been accepted as a member of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN), becoming the first laboratory in Idaho to earn this designation.

Simplot Grower Solutions celebrates 80 years with a tour of new upgrades in Caldwell

cassidy@agproud.com — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Growers and community leaders, along with generations of the Simplot family and Gov. Brad Little, attended the event.

Innovation and efficiency considered hallmarks of nation’s largest research dairy at the University of Idaho

kimmi@agproud.com — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Construction continues at the Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (Idaho CAFE), a University of Idaho-led facility in Rupert, Idaho, that will include the nation’s largest research dairy. Phase II is currently underway and includes construction of a commodity barn, a calving and research barn and a classroom building.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Impacts on U.S. agriculture with a focus on Idaho

riley.griffin@agwestfc.com — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

No doubt "The One, Big, Beautiful Bill" is big. Beauty? Well, that’s in the eye of the beholder.

Anderson Ranch Dam raise continues to move forward

cassidy@agproud.com — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

“As everyone knows the Treasure Valley is rapidly growing,” says Idaho Water Resource Board (IWRB) staff member Justin Ferguson. Based on a water demand survey completed in 2016 for the IWRB, the Treasure Valley is projected to increase in population to 1.57 million people by 2065, and with that increase comes an estimated need for an additional 81,000 acre-feet of water.

Federal budget cuts impact Idaho agriculture

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Federal budget cuts in 2025 are impacting Idaho agriculture through the loss of critical funding for research, conservation and support programs. Additionally, the USDA is facing budget cuts across various programs that support schools, food banks and local farmers, potentially creating uncertainty for agriculture operations. This could lead to decreased support for farmers and potentially impact food security.

Gov. Brad Little highlights American Falls Dam and Magic Valley water infrastructure projects

cassidy@agproud.com — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

On June 16, Gov. Brad Little and Idaho Water Resource Board (IWRB) Chairman Jeff Raybould visited American Falls Dam and the Highline Canal south of Buhl to highlight two major projects funded through the state’s Modernizing Water Infrastructure grant.

Applications sought for Idaho CAFE director of operations, finance

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

University of Idaho is seeking applicants with dairy management experience to serve as director of operations and finance over a new Magic Valley research dairy, called the Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (Idaho CAFE).

New hire: Pramod Acharya, University of Idaho Extension

cassidy@agproud.com — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Ag Proud – Idaho would like you to meet Pramod Acharya.

Dairy West, Dairy Farmers of Washington move toward unified future; Seppi appointed CEO

kimmi@agproud.com — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 15:09:39 -0400

Board leadership from the Dairy Farmers of Washington and Dairy West recently announced they will be joining forces under the Dairy West brand. Additionally, Steve Seppi, who previously served as the executive director of Dairy Farmers of Washington, has been selected as the new CEO of Dairy West.