Barley

Profitability considerations of cereal-pea intercropping for organic transition

xliang@uidaho.edu — Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Organic certification requires that land be free of prohibited substances for three years (36 months) before the harvest of an organic crop. A common strategy among agricultural producers in Idaho and other semiarid agricultural regions is to plant an alfalfa hay stand and keep it in production for three or more years after establishment.

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 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.

Field-scouting Idaho ag: 2025 in review

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

“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 importance of a grain marketing plan

bwilder@uidaho.edu — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Crop prices are volatile, and for many producers, the market price at harvest in 2025 was below their cost of production. While no one has a crystal ball, a producer with a basic marketing plan can take steps to mitigate their price risk and increase their chances of long-term profitability.

New barley contest raises the bar for yields

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

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.

Managing wild oats: Winning the war in your small grains

aadjesiwor@uidaho.edu — Fri, 16 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

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.

Field scouting Idaho ag: 2024 in review

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500

“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.

Are soil wetting agents worth the investment?

matt.yost@usu.edu — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Should growers be treating their fields more like golf courses? A common solution to this problem in golf courses is the application of products known as soil wetting agents that reduce the surface tension of soil.

The growing challenge of herbicide resistance in Idaho's beets and beyond

Wed, 22 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

“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.

Profitability maps: A tool for informed farm management in Idaho

lschott@uidaho.edu — Tue, 14 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

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.

University of Idaho barley agronomy program update – nitrogen fertility

jspackman@uidaho.edu — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The Idaho Barley Commission Endowed Barley Agronomy program has been researching sustainable barley and wheat production strategies, focusing on nutrient management practices for improved yield, quality, and soil and water health in both irrigated and dryland settings.

3 barley growers reflect on the 2023 season and plans for 2024

cassidy@agproud.com — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Despite a late spring, early-season hail damage and late-season rains, the 2023 barley crop in Idaho had a record-breaking year for average yield, making it the second-largest harvest in the state’s history.

Grain inspection: Monetizing what's in the grain bin

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 15:34:18 -0400

“Say a guy over here is offering [a price] for this protein, or a guy over there's offering [a different price] for a little lower protein. If you know what you have, you can go different directions with it,” Dustin says. “It's always smarter to know what you have in a bin.”

How much does the ‘natural hedge’ apply in Idaho?

phatzenbuehler@uidaho.edu — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 16:25:08 -0400

A common concept introduced in agricultural economics courses that focus on risk is that of the “natural hedge.” To summarize, the natural hedge relates to the commonly observed phenomena in some crop markets in which prices and yields tend to have an inverse relationship.

Grain cart maintenance for an efficient harvest

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 10:36:38 -0400

Harvest season is still a little ways away, but it’s never too early to get your grain cart ready for this year’s haul. Addressing the maintenance needs of your combine is typically the first line of business for most farmers, but don’t forget about your grain cart.