Other Crops

Mustard gains ground as a strategic rotation crop in Idaho potato production

kacy@msoilseeds.com — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

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.

The advantage of winter-hardy cereals in fall forage systems

jspackman@uidaho.edu — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

As water resources become increasingly scarce in southern Idaho, producers are looking for forage options that make the most of limited irrigation. One strategy gaining traction is planting fall-seeded annual cereals for forage.

The camelina question

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

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.

Selecting cover crops for grazing

shines@uidaho.edu — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Whether you're aiming to enhance forage yields or build healthier ecosystems, cover crops offer a practical, proven path to unlocking soil’s full potential.

The glyphosate debate: Facts, risks and benefits

jeff@millerresearch.com — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

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.

Hemp’s future in Idaho

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500

While it’s not an experimental drug, it is still considered to be somewhat of an experimental crop within the state. However, a few brave farmers have dug in to try their hand at growing hemp, and so far, they are excited about its future in the field.

The evolving landscape of alfalfa seed farming in Idaho

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Alfalfa seed demand nationally has been declining gradually for the past 15 years, impacted largely by the dairy industry which moved to alternative feed sources (in part) as alfalfa prices climbed and freight rates rose.

'Lettuce' try something new in Idaho

Sun, 22 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400

The latest ag interest to discover Idaho is in lettuce production.

'Hagermelon' takes the lead in the Pacific Northwest

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0400

“Commercial watermelon farms in Idaho? Doesn’t that contradict some basic law of nature? I thought commercial watermelons were all grown in California,” says the native Idahoan. Well, this isn’t true anymore.

[Podcast] Hemp, organics and GMO with Tim Cornie, 1,000 Springs Mill

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Hemp, organics and GMO – 1,000 Springs Mill and Tim Cornie have their fingers in a lot of niche farm products. After their first year of growing hemp, Tim shares what went right, what went wrong and what he wants to improve. It’s not a fit for every farm, but it could be a value-added crop for many.

Huston Vineyards named 2023 Idaho Winery of the Year

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 20:41:50 -0400

Huston Vineyards, a second-generation family farm, vineyard and winery, has been named the 2023 Idaho Winery of the Year by Great Northwest Wines.

Purdy Farms tries sap analysis to optimize inputs

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 16:17:34 -0500

If the plant could talk in-season, what would it tell you about its needs? Sap analysis can find out.

GAP compliance opens more doors

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0500

More regulations mean more cost, with no compensating price increase, and businesses sometimes struggle to keep up.

Josh Jones: Advocate for farmers

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 15:12:34 -0500

Once in a while, you run across one of those farmers who will try a variety of crops and practices to look for profitable and sustainable opportunities. Josh Jones is one of them.

The 24/7 harvest at Jackson Hop Farms

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 09:52:10 -0500

"Intense" is the only word to describe the hop harvest. See Jackson Hop Farms in action and read about the hops process.

Cultivating a Christmas spirit

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 12:27:53 -0500

Cable Creek Farm is a popular destination for six days a year. Prospective Christmas tree hunters reserve time slots spread over two long weekends, beginning the day after Thanksgiving.

How ’bout them apples?

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 11:30:47 -0500

Can you name the oldest apple variety? How about guessing how many varieties are grown in Idaho?

Cover crop species observations in south-central Idaho

shines@uidaho.edu — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 17:08:09 -0400

When my colleagues and I first started working with cover crops, we all had experience with the usual mix of crops grown in the Magic Valley, either by growing up on farms or working with them in our professional careers.

Hybrid rye: A bane turned blessing

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 17:12:02 -0400

Interseeding cover crops into silage corn

shines@uidaho.edu — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 17:00:29 -0400

In 2013, a group of colleagues and I started demonstrating with cover crops, with help from a Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS) Conservation Innovation Grant to fund the work.

The hemp ship sails in untested waters

Sun, 10 Apr 2022 21:02:18 -0400

The 2018 Farm Bill gave states the authority to produce hemp but left regulation and licensing to state agriculture departments.

People in the News

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0500

On Jan. 21, 2022, in sunny San Diego, California, John and Diane Peavey were presented the American Sheep Industry Association’s (ASI) Industry Innovation Award.