Idaho Agribusiness Features

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.

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.

A combination of two legacies: BTR Manufacturing acquires Double L

cassidy@agproud.com — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Since 1979, Double L has been recognized worldwide for its potato equipment – including planters, harvesters and conveying and handling systems. Now, the company begins a new chapter under the ownership of another longstanding Idaho business, BTR Manufacturing, based in Paul.

The power of the boot: The Jae Foundation builds mental wellness strength in Idahoans, one boot at a time

david@agproud.com — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Since its arrival three years ago in Twin Falls, the Jae Foundation has built a footing from the ground up to preach the importance of affirming mental health. And by ground up, that goal starts straight from the boots.

Growing more than beets: Amalgamated Sugar's youth grower program

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Many of today’s youth are served well through 4-H and FFA programs throughout the state and nation, but those aren’t the only successful youth programs available in agriculture. Several commodity or livestock groups tailor specific programs to encourage youth involvement beyond 4-H or FFA, and Amalgamated Sugar Youth Grower Program is one example of these outstanding programs.

Jerome feed mill expansion adds new options for dairy and beef producers

walt.cooley@agproud.com — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Steam-flaked corn and barley, and custom pelletized calf feeds, are three new options available to Idaho beef and dairy producers through Scoular’s latest expansion in Jerome.

Inside the fresh-pack potato market: The Mart Group journey

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400

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.

Magic Valley dairy duo vertically integrate with new Burley milk plant

walt.cooley@agproud.com — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Dairyman Jesus Hurtado’s fate was intertwined with the late John Reitsma and his dairies for nearly three decades. Now Hurtado and John’s son Dirk Reitsma and their dairy futures are connected again through co-investment in a new milk plant in Burley, Idaho.

Fighting fire with unity: Idaho's Rangeland Fire Protection Associations

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The first line of fire defense in many rural areas are Rangeland Fire Protection Associations (RFPAs). These groups of volunteers, mainly farmers and ranchers, are trained and authorized to respond to fires and help protect 9 million acres of Idaho lands.

Breaking ground: Jessie Jarvis' commitment to a stronger agriculture industry

matti@agproud.com — Mon, 20 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

“I couldn’t get it out of my head,” says Jarvis. “One day I sat down with Justin and told him, ‘I think we need to act on this. There’s a lot of opportunity here to help create a stronger industry – both in the present and in the future.’ We both decided to go all in on that. From June to December we spent our time building the platform that is Of The West and then launched in January of 2021.”

Idaho dealer builds new store, service shop in Jerome

walt.cooley@agproud.com — Thu, 02 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

A 50-plus-year-old Idaho equipment dealership has a new location for its sales and repair shop in Jerome, Idaho. Mountain View Equipment moved into a brand-new $10 million facility just off I-84 Exit 165 in Jerome in April.

Using drones to spray weeds and spread seeds

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Today, drones have the ability to spray herbicides, pesticides and fungicides at 8 feet off the ground. They also can spread solids like seeds, bugs and compost. They do it quietly, quickly and precisely.

Idaho influencer’s tribute to farmers nationwide

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Newdale native Ashlie Sutton’s Thank-A-Farmer campaign raises $34,000 to provide treats, cold drinks or warm meals to harvest crews.

An Idaho Christmas dinner

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500

A traditional Christmas dinner features turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and vegetables. Why not spice up the Christmas dinner table with Idaho commodities?

MazePlay’s fantastic corn mazes

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Creating mazes in 42 states, Stolworthy says, “When I started, many people thought corn mazes were just a fad, but I decided to do them anyway, thinking that it would be a great career for a few years – but it kept going.”

FFA students learn and earn through wheat marketing

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400

The program started in response to frequent requests from student groups for financial support. “We wanted to add an education piece to donations. This is a way to cultivate our community and involve producers.”

New hire: Donald Miller, Mountain View Seeds

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Ag Proud – Idaho would like you to meet Donald Miller.

Idaho dealership opens its second shop in Jerome

walt.cooley@agproud.com — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 14:56:40 -0400

Farm Equipment USA recently moved into a new 6,400-square-foot office and shop building in Jerome along I-84. They invited customers and local farmers to a Friday afternoon barbecue to check out their now second location in the state.

The first private school to establish an FFA chapter

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 11:49:03 -0400

Private schools and FFA – is that even a thing?

Sugar policy matters

samantha@snakeriverbeet.com — Thu, 04 May 2023 12:51:38 -0400

Did you know that the American sugar industry contributes $23.3 billion annually to the U.S. economy and employs more than 151,000 people?

Now online: Meat processing plant in Idaho Falls

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Intermountain Packing is in full swing with a new beef/bison packing plant in Idaho Falls. They fill a specific market niche.

Opening the valve on the irrigation market

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 14:59:34 -0500

Only in Idaho: Using farmer ingenuity, an irrigation valve was created that went on to become a family business.

Shipping freight on the hoof

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 11:14:03 -0500

Rod Runyan of Buhl says the livestock hauling business has turned into a regulation nightmare. New haulers aren't coming into the business, making the existing ones even more valuable.

Golden piles of grain

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 19:36:53 -0500

What you notice first on the north side of Interstate 84 running through Bliss are grain bins with “The Andersons” logo displayed. And you see large golden, pyramid-shaped piles of wheat fronted by 110-car rail units. It’s an impressive site, but there’s a lot more you don’t see.

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?

Bringing new potato varieties to a french fry near you

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 16:02:25 -0500

Potato varieties are developed constantly to help farmers raise quality raw products economically, but the process still takes about a decade.

A rural Christmas: Idaho books by Idaho authors

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 10:20:44 -0500

For authentic rural Idaho gift giving, consider a book of rural life by Idaho authors.

October 10, 2022 Ag Proud Idaho digital magazine

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 12:55:54 -0400

Work campers welcome here

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 16:28:26 -0400

“I’ve learned that the work campers are here to work – they show up every day.”

World’s largest cattle feeder

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 17:12:17 -0400

Interstate Feedlot isn’t the largest feedlot in Idaho, but it is part of a larger entity, making it the “world’s largest cattle feeder.”