https://www.agproud.com/rss en-us aadjesiwor@uidaho.edu Palmer amaranth continues to pose a serious and growing challenge to crop production systems in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). As of the fall of 2025, there have been more than 160 Palmer amaranth detections in PNW, affecting 9,000 acres of cropland in Idaho and nearly 700 acres in Oregon. Palmer amaranth continues to pose a serious and growing challenge to crop production systems in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). As of the fall of 2025, there have been more than 160 Palmer amaranth detections in PNW, affecting 9,000 acres of cropland in Idaho and nearly 700 acres in Oregon.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/63162 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/63162-palmer-amaranth-is-becoming-a-serious-threat-in-the-pacific-northwest Hamer Farms grows about 1,500 acres of potatoes, along with alfalfa, corn, wheat and mustard. The farm and packing operation together employ almost 60 people. Hamer Farms grows about 1,500 acres of potatoes, along with alfalfa, corn, wheat and mustard. The farm and packing operation together employ almost 60 people.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62958 Wed, 04 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62958-four-generations-deep-growing-potatoes-growing-family 62958-thomas-9474.jpg tyrell@agproud.com A potato is a wondrous thing, isn’t it? I mean, yeah, it’s just a potato. There’s nothing fancy about it, and it’s not trying to trick you into believing it’s anything more than what it is. More than perhaps any other food on the planet, a potato is at peace with itself, confident in what it is, neither seeking to rise above its station nor bowing to anyone. A potato is a wondrous thing, isn’t it? I mean, yeah, it’s just a potato. There’s nothing fancy about it, and it’s not trying to trick you into believing it’s anything more than what it is. More than perhaps any other food on the planet, a potato is at peace with itself, confident in what it is, neither seeking to rise above its station nor bowing to anyone.  

]]> http://www.agproud.com/blogs/21/post/63005 Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/21-idaho-ag-proud-from-the-editor/post/63005-the-reluctant-fame-of-the-humble-spud tyrell@agproud.com 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. 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.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62959 Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62959-water-and-prices-hot-topics-at-idaho-potato-conference kacy@msoilseeds.com 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. 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.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62908 Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62908-mustard-gains-ground-as-a-strategic-rotation-crop-in-idaho-potato-production 62908-gehring-must-sky.jpg jeff@millerresearch.com Some social media influencers have vocalized the idea that our current agricultural system needs an overhaul. I agree that we need to be using the best science available to improve crop production and minimize adverse effects on the environment. But pesticide use is condemned too quickly without understanding the benefit their use brings in protecting the crop. Some social media influencers have vocalized the idea that our current agricultural system needs an overhaul. I agree that we need to be using the best science available to improve crop production and minimize adverse effects on the environment. But pesticide use is condemned too quickly without understanding the benefit their use brings in protecting the crop.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62878 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62878-pesticides-potatoes-and-the-data-about-food-safety 62878-miller-infographic-1.jpg bwilder@uidaho.edu 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. 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.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62696 Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62696-the-financial-condition-of-idaho-agriculture-2025 62696-wilder-collage.jpg “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. “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.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62599 Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62599-field-scouting-idaho-ag-2025-in-review 62599-mccarthy-illustration.coreylewis.jpg 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.” 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.”

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62297 Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62297-ultra-processed-foods-maha-and-idaho-ag 62297-mccarthy-1.jpg cassidy@agproud.com Idaho’s ag leaders discuss the challenges and opportunities that arose from the trade policies in President Donald Trump’s previous term as well as how the shifting landscape affects their export market. Idaho’s ag leaders discuss the challenges and opportunities that arose from the trade policies in President Donald Trump’s previous term as well as how the shifting landscape affects their export market.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61274 Mon, 24 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61274-idahos-ag-leaders-weigh-in-the-impact-of-tariffs-on-dairy-wheat-cattle-and-potatoes At Ladd Wahlen Farms, it begins with roots (small r) and ends with Roots (capital R). At Ladd Wahlen Farms, it begins with roots (small r) and ends with Roots (capital R).

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60849 Mon, 03 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60849-ladd-wahlen-farms-its-really-about-the-roots 60849-jaynes-wahlen-family.jpg “Overall, it was an average to average-plus year,” says Terry Helms of Simplot Grower Solutions in Oakley. Helms has been an agronomist in south central Idaho since 1985 and deals with a range of crops including potatoes, sugarbeets, corn, dry beans and small grains. “Overall, it was an average to average-plus year,” says Terry Helms of Simplot Grower Solutions in Oakley. Helms has been an agronomist in south central Idaho since 1985 and deals with a range of crops including potatoes, sugarbeets, corn, dry beans and small grains.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60723 Thu, 26 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60723-field-scouting-idaho-ag-2024-in-review 60723-mccarthy-1.jpg How do we preserve the individual farm legacy while preparing the farm for future generations? It was this question that brought 10 potato farmers together in the late ’70s and early ’80s to attempt to operate a fresh-pack potato shed together. How do we preserve the individual farm legacy while preparing the farm for future generations? It was this question that brought 10 potato farmers together in the late ’70s and early ’80s to attempt to operate a fresh-pack potato shed together.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59884 Mon, 05 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59884-inside-the-fresh-pack-potato-market-the-mart-group-journey 59884-jaynes-image0.jpg “The bottom line is,” says Mike Thornton, “if you have a lot of smoke, you can expect potatoes to be less productive, especially top-grade potatoes.” He found that yield in the smoke-treated plots dropped 2% to 3% each year. “The bottom line is,” says Mike Thornton, “if you have a lot of smoke, you can expect potatoes to be less productive, especially top-grade potatoes.” He found that yield in the smoke-treated plots dropped 2% to 3% each year.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59929 Tue, 16 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59929-smoking-out-our-spuds 59929-mccarthy-3.jpg Standard varieties, like Russet Burbank, Russet Norkotah and Ranger Russet, are still widely grown even with agronomic issues including high input requirements, internal and external defects, lower yields and disease susceptibility. Despite their widespread use, these standard varieties are slowly being displaced by new varieties that have been selected and developed to address detrimental issues and improve grower returns. Standard varieties, like Russet Burbank, Russet Norkotah and Ranger Russet, are still widely grown even with agronomic issues including high input requirements, internal and external defects, lower yields and disease susceptibility. Despite their widespread use, these standard varieties are slowly being displaced by new varieties that have been selected and developed to address detrimental issues and improve grower returns.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59681 Mon, 27 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59681-the-next-generation-of-high-performance-potato-varieties “I’m an optimist, but I have seen fields overrun by kochia, and last year we learned that we have Palmer amaranth and waterhemp,” says Dr. Albert Adjesiwor, University of Idaho Extension weed scientist in Kimberly. “I’m an optimist, but I have seen fields overrun by kochia, and last year we learned that we have Palmer amaranth and waterhemp,” says Dr. Albert Adjesiwor, University of Idaho Extension weed scientist in Kimberly.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59649 Wed, 22 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59649-the-growing-challenge-of-herbicide-resistance-in-idahos-beets-and-beyond 59649-mccarthy-alder-research-plot.jpg lschott@uidaho.edu Profitability maps can be helpful for determining the relative extent to which different areas in a field are profitable or not, which can provide insights regarding whether there are any actions that can be taken to increase profitability in lagging areas. Profitability maps can be helpful for determining the relative extent to which different areas in a field are profitable or not, which can provide insights regarding whether there are any actions that can be taken to increase profitability in lagging areas.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59631 Tue, 14 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59631-profitability-maps-a-tool-for-informed-farm-management-in-idaho 59631-hatzenbuehler-getty.jpg jeff@millerresearch.com With glyphosate, many see only the risks and not the benefits. A closer look at glyphosate shows that the safety concerns are not scientifically supported, and that the benefits are worth the perceived risk. With glyphosate, many see only the risks and not the benefits. A closer look at glyphosate shows that the safety concerns are not scientifically supported, and that the benefits are worth the perceived risk.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59471 Tue, 16 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59471-the-glyphosate-debate-facts-risks-and-benefits 59471-miller-sprayer-getty.jpg jwoodhall@uidaho.edu The ongoing collaboration between researchers, growers and the larger potato industry in southern Idaho continues to advance the region’s potato production. The ongoing collaboration between researchers, growers and the larger potato industry in southern Idaho continues to advance the region’s potato production.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/58760 Wed, 03 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/58760-advancing-potato-pathology-research-in-southern-idaho 58760-duellman-6114.jpg tyrell@agproud.com On Nov. 15, the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) hosted its annual Big Idaho Potato Harvest Meeting in Idaho Falls. The “state of the industry” meeting welcomed growers, packers and processors from across the state gathered to network and learn about how the larger industry affects their operations and vice versa. On Nov. 15, the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) hosted its annual Big Idaho Potato Harvest Meeting in Idaho Falls. The “state of the industry” meeting welcomed growers, packers and processors from across the state gathered to network and learn about how the larger industry affects their operations and vice versa.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/58795 Mon, 11 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/58795-key-takeaways-from-the-big-idaho-potato-harvest-meeting 58795-marchant-2.jpg gteixeira@uidaho.edu Losses in potato storage equate to losses of the crop and money. Having a working knowledge of how much you have to start with and what is causing the losses in storage will allow management to be fine-tuned to minimize loss and maintain quality. Losses in potato storage equate to losses of the crop and money. Having a working knowledge of how much you have to start with and what is causing the losses in storage will allow management to be fine-tuned to minimize loss and maintain quality.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/58651 Tue, 21 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/58651-potato-loss-in-storage 58651-olsen-potato-storage.jpg Idaho was again ranked as the No. 1 state in U.S. potato production, according to the USDA Annual Potato Summary for 2022, released in September. Idaho was again ranked as the No. 1 state in U.S. potato production, according to the USDA Annual Potato Summary for 2022, released in September.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/58402 Fri, 06 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/58402-idaho-annual-potato-summary-2022 58402-jaynes-potato.jpg It turns out that the diners' question “Do you want fries or chips?” starts not in the kitchen, but with the breeder. It turns out that the diners' question “Do you want fries or chips?” starts not in the kitchen, but with the breeder.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/57711 Tue, 13 Jun 2023 11:50:28 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/57711-the-right-potato-for-your-plate 57711-mccarthy-01.jpg Doug Gross specializes in all things potatoes on his Wilder farm. “We learned early that there were some things I wasn’t good at and shouldn’t be growing,” he says. Rather than doubling down on those weaknesses, he focused on his strengths. Doug Gross specializes in all things potatoes on his Wilder farm. “We learned early that there were some things I wasn’t good at and shouldn’t be growing,” he says. Rather than doubling down on those weaknesses, he focused on his strengths.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/57306 Mon, 15 May 2023 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/57306-spuds-by-the-gross 57306-mccarthy-gross-1.jpg With the significant years-long drought in the Pacific Northwest, Idaho water users have once again had to fine-tune water efficiency. With the significant years-long drought in the Pacific Northwest, Idaho water users have once again had to fine-tune water efficiency.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/57337 Fri, 31 Mar 2023 19:37:58 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/57337-fine-tuning-water-efficiency-in-hammett 57337-jaynes-img-7956.jpg jeff@millerresearch.com If you try to improve your farming or ranching practice and it doesn’t work, realize you had a good learning opportunity. With eyes open, who knows what great things you will learn from failure? If you try to improve your farming or ranching practice and it doesn’t work, realize you had a good learning opportunity. With eyes open, who knows what great things you will learn from failure?

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/57200 Fri, 17 Mar 2023 15:29:02 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/57200-having-a-prepared-mind-and-a-little-luck 57200-miller-gettyimages-1389308675.jpg From farmer to academia, back to farmer and expanding researcher, Miller Research history has covered the agricultural spectrum. Using conditions as close to commercial production as possible with field plots, Jeff Miller shares their research efforts into potato seed and pathologies, fertilizers, pesticides and green manures. He also advocates for “regenerative ag” or “sustainability” even when the terms are defined differently or nebulously, and he shares why. From farmer to academia, back to farmer and expanding researcher, Miller Research history has covered the agricultural spectrum. Using conditions as close to commercial production as possible with field plots, Jeff Miller shares their research efforts into potato seed and pathologies, fertilizers, pesticides and green manures. He also advocates for “regenerative ag” or “sustainability” even when the terms are defined differently or nebulously, and he shares why.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/56843 Tue, 24 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/56843-podcast-potato-sugarbeet-and-small-grains-research-with-miller-research More regulations mean more cost, with no compensating price increase, and businesses sometimes struggle to keep up. More regulations mean more cost, with no compensating price increase, and businesses sometimes struggle to keep up.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/56654 Mon, 09 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/56654-gap-compliance-opens-more-doors 56654-williams-brackett-workers.jpg Potato varieties are developed constantly to help farmers raise quality raw products economically, but the process still takes about a decade. Potato varieties are developed constantly to help farmers raise quality raw products economically, but the process still takes about a decade.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/55890 Wed, 16 Nov 2022 16:02:25 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/55890-bringing-new-potato-varieties-to-a-french-fry-near-you 55890-JAYNES-French-Frys-1.jpg “Using Agriculture Conservation Dogs to detect PVY and BRR” was a symposium topic at the annual Idaho Seed Potato Growers seminar in January. Andrea Parish gave the presentation/demonstration, using dogs she trained to sniff out potato diseases. “Using Agriculture Conservation Dogs to detect PVY and BRR” was a symposium topic at the annual Idaho Seed Potato Growers seminar in January. Andrea Parish gave the presentation/demonstration, using dogs she trained to sniff out potato diseases.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/55885 Sun, 10 Apr 2022 19:19:32 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/55885-dogs-sniff-out-potato-diseases 0422ap-thomas-1.jpg