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IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) - Some eastern Idaho farmers have decided to donate 42,000 pounds of potatoes to Hill Air Force Base in Utah rather than watch the surplus spuds go to waste.
TWIN FALLS - The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is seeking public comment on a proposed modification to the wastewater reuse permit regulating operation of The Amalgamated Sugar Co.’s wastewater treatment and land application site in Twin Falls.
HAILEY, ID - Hailey attorney Douglas Werth filed his candidacy for Fifth District Judge earlier this week with the Idaho Secretary of State. He will formally announce his candidacy at the Old Blaine County Courthouse in Hailey, Idaho (206 First Ave, South), on Friday, March 19, 2010, at 4:00 pm. Following the announcement, Werth will be on hand to answer questions from the media.
Farmers can continue to grow Monsanto Co.'s genetically modified sugar beets, at least this year, after a federal judge in San Francisco refused to grant a ban proposed by environmental and food safety groups.
JEROME, Idaho (AP) - Commissioners in Jerome County have voted to amend the zoning ordinance to allow power generation from cow manure.
Grant Wyatt met with Cassia County Commissions over 25 years ago to discuss his concerns over the declining water table. Mr. Wyatt came up with the Idaho to form the SW Irrigation District. The purpose was to pool resources to purchase water from Burley, Twin Falls and Milner Canal Companies in order to supply water to farmland in Cassia and Twin Falls Counties.
Arthur Lee was born into a farming family in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Early in life, Art learned that living from the land required respect and stewardship to insure a productive future. Art was involved in FFA during high school and earned his State Farmer award his senior year.
Award presented posthumously. Masa Tsukamoto was involved in the agriculture industry for over 58 years, not only as a successful farmer, but actively contributed to his profession through both his involvement in professional organizations and through his innovative inventions to improve many facets of agriculture.
Dr. Greg Ledbetter and his wife Jane own C Bar M Dairy. They milk 1500 cows and farm 1700 acres. He received his DVM degree from UC Davis in 1977 and a Masters degree in Preventive Veterinary Medicine in 1979.
Dr. John Miller is a retired professor of Animal and Veterinary Science at the University of Idaho. His work in Idaho Agriculture started in 1970 and will continue on for generations because of the impact he has made on the industry and, more importantly, on the people and students of this great state.
Dedication ceremonies for Sego Prairie Pond, the Treasure Valley's newest community fishing pond, will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 13. The city of Kuna will host a grand opening celebration and fishing activities at the new pond.
TWIN FALLS - Janie Burns can remember when Idaho's agricultural landscape looked much different than it does today.
The Cowpokes Classic Junior Jackpot Show is set for Saturday, May 15th at the Canyon County Fairgrounds, Caldwell, Idaho.
Members of Idaho and Oregon 4-H clubs and FFA chapters who are enrolled in market and breeding beef cattle projects, and will be exhibiting at upcoming fairs and cattle shows, are invited to attend the Better Beef Cattle Clinic. This event is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 17th at the Owyhee County Fairgrounds, Homedale, Idaho.
DES MOINES -- There will a general sign-up for the CRP this year, says USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. n Earlier this month at the National Biodiesel Board’s Annual Conference & Expo in Grapevine, Texas, officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) attended to provide a briefing on biodiesel’s role in the future of renewable fuels and, more importantly, to provide a comprehensive briefing on the EPA’s recently introduced final RFS2 rule.
Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter announced the recipients of the Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Agriculture at the 2010 Idaho Ag Summit held recently in Boise. The award recipients were selected from applications submitted by a variety of agriculture agencies, organizations and individuals across Idaho. Winners for this year and the achievement area they were recognized for are as follows:
O.M. Plummer Memorial Scholarship - This scholarship is available to high school seniors who have participated in livestock showing or judging beyond the county level. Applications are available at the Twin Falls County Extension Office or the State 4-H website (www.4h.uidaho.edu) and are due by April 15, 2010.
BOISE - Ask a dozen people what sustainable means and you're likely to get at least a half dozen different answers. It doesn't matter whether they are consumers or food producers.
BOISE - Several bills that will impact Idaho's agriculture are moving through the 2010 Legislature.
The Owyhee County Historical Society is very excited to announce that Dr. Baxter Black, large animal veterinarian, Cowboy Humorist, Poet, and Radio Personality will be making a special appearance at 2010 Outpost Days. The Owyhee County Historical Society, Museum & Library is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year and the 41st Annual Outpost Days will be extra special!
PHILOMATH, Ore. (AP) - Organic farmers fear this year's spring breezes will be carrying pollen from genetically altered sugar beets, which they say could render their crops worthless, and they hope to persuade a federal judge this week to halt the plantings nationwide.
Idaho food size trout (trout 12 inches and longer) sales during 2009 totaled $36.0 million, up 3 percent from the $35.0 million in 2008, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. The number of food size fish sold was 29.8 million, up 8 percent from the 27.6 million sold a year ago. Total pounds sold in 2009 were 35.6 million pounds, compared to 35.4 million pounds in 2008. Average price per pound for food size trout was $1.01, up from $0.99 in 2008.
T-L Irrigation Co., the manufacturer of hydrostatically powered pivot irrigation systems, was recently recognized by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers for the development of their “ULTRA Linear System”. The ULTRA Linear System was deemed one of the year’s most innovative designs in engineering products or systems for the food and agriculture industries.
Greensboro, N.C., USA, March 1, 2010 - The fight to weed out hunger across the Corn Belt has officially begun. Weeding out Hunger, a new campaign sponsored by Halex GT corn herbicide and Syngenta Crop Protection, made a stop at the National Farm Machinery Show, held Feb. 10-13 in Louisville, Ky., as part of the Weeding out Hunger Road Show.
Washington, D.C. - The Nutrients for Life Foundation announced its partnership with FFA and unveiled Helping Communities Grow, a chapter scholarship program focused on the role of fertilizer. Chapters in the states of Florida, Idaho and Iowa can compete for a top prize of $6,000. In total, the Nutrients for Life Foundation will contribute $20,000 to FFA chapters in each state.
Amalgamated Sugar Co. has purchased and moved into a new headquarters building in Boise, said Vic Jaro, CEO and president of the grower-owned cooperative.
Farm equipment dealership, Agri-Service, headquartered in Twin Falls, Idaho is now employee owned. Cleve Buttars, owner and founder of Agri-Service, said , “I have been looking into having my business become employee owned for a few years, and the timing just seems right.” With eight locations in Idaho, Utah, and Oregon and approximately 150 employees, Agri-Service is one of the largest farm equipment dealerships in the nation, and the largest AGCO brand (Massey Ferguson, Hesston, Gleaner) retailer in North America.
BOISE, Idaho - Once there were more than two million sage grouse throughout the West. Now, best estimates show there are somewhere between 200,000 and 300,000 of the birds left, mostly in Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and Montana. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is expected to announce this week whether that means the bird qualifies for protection under the Endangered Species Act.
MOSCOW, Idaho - Western black widow spiders relish the dark corners of utility rooms and crawl spaces, but they’re just as likely to be found under rocks, low bushes or woodpiles in Idaho yards. Hobo spiders frequent household floors from mid-July to the first killing frost, but if there’s a spider on your ceiling or high on your wall, it’s probably not a hobo.
According to records released by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, March 1 mountain snowpack in Montana is well below average and below last year at this time. February mountain precipitation was well below average and marked the fourth month in a row with below to well below average mountain precipitation. February mountain precipitation west of the Divide was 37 percent of average and east of the Divide was 51 percent of average.
BOISE, Idaho - Irrigation districts and canal companies are starting to ready their systems for the anticipated mid-April start to the 2010 irrigation season, but they know water supplies are likely to be tight.
BURLEY, Idaho - Irrigation water supplies are projected to be marginal to tight across southern Idaho this year. Producers are going to need to maximize the benefit from every drop of water. One of the best ways to maximize water efficiency is by making sure sprinkler irrigation systems are in the best shape possible before the season begins.
TWIN FALLS - The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has received and approved a ground water quality monitoring plan from the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) for a recharge project aimed at replenishing ground water supplies in the Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer.
BOISE, Idaho - As the El Nino pattern has intensified over the winter, the snow deficit has grown in Idaho.
LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) - The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality has ended a partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey to conduct water quality monitoring of streams, lakes and rivers throughout the state.
BURLEY, Idaho - Shareholders in two Magic Valley irrigation districts approved a bond election giving the districts flexibility in financing their share of the dam rehabilitation project, but the federal government’s share is now in doubt.
Sprinkler zone control provides advanced precision water application with center pivot irrigation
Elections for the 2010 Officers and Board of Directors for the Idaho Irrigation Equipment Association were held recently in Nampa, Idaho. Kasey Garrett, Rain For Rent, Nampa, was elected as president, Tad Barrie, Butte Irrigation, Paul, will serve as vice president and Jerry Troy, Silver Creek Supply, Boise, was given the nod as treasurer.
Boise, Idaho Two Idahoans were named to the Idaho Water Users Hall of Fame by the state's largest water user group during its 72nd annual convention today (Jan. 20) in Boise. Another 9 individuals and one organization received other water related awards during the ceremonies, officials with the Idaho Water Users Association said.
James L. Davidson, owner of Sprinkler Head Rebuilders in Buhl, Idaho, has been selected as the Idaho Irrigation Equipment Association's 2009 Person of the Year.
TWIN FALLS - A dispute over waste water rights has largely been resolved.
TWIN FALLS ' The Twin Falls Canal Company recognized a west end irrigator for his long-term commitment to water quality during its annual shareholder meeting.
TWIN FALLS - A dismal start to the 2009/10 water year was not helped appreciably by a series of storms to start the new calendar year.
BURLEY, Idaho - Shareholders in two Magic Valley irrigation districts are preparing to vote on how they'd like to finance their share of the Minidoka Dam rehabilitation project.
VALLEY, Neb. - GPS Guidance and BaseStation2-SM from Valley Irrigation were recently recognized with AE50 awards from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE).
Boise, Idaho - The feasibility of new water storage reservoirs and flood control facilities on the Boise River system will be a major topic of interest examined during the Idaho Water User Association’s 72nd annual convention set for January 19-21 at the DoubleTree Riverside in Boise, IWUA officials said today.
Two new publications on grain marketing are now available from Montana State University Extension publications. Both publications are free.
CORN - In March, we should expect traders to anticipate an increase in planted acreage in the March 31 report of one to three million acres. A heavy snow cap over the Midwest combined with forecasts for a cool, wet spring will making planting additional corn acres difficult, thus corn should find strength in the last half of March and early April as the market will need to secure acres to meet record demand.
On Friday, February 19, the USDA released their monthly cattle on feed report. The report is broadly considered negative from the perspective that placements were above expectations, however placements were still down from last year, despite missing the average guess by 3%. The reaction to the report should consist of ongoing strength in the February contract as higher cash trade and tight supplies are supportive to the market.
On Tuesday, February 9, the USDA released it's supply/demand report for the month of February. This report is typically not a major market mover and this month’s edition held no fan fare or surprises.
The vast majority of our clients are interested in options and low risk option strategies. Here is one strategy that is not used often enough, it is called the free trade or the zero risk trade.
CORN - In the month of January, corn lost 58 cents from the previous month’s close. The first half of the month of February looks to be bearish month for the corn market. With the bearish January supply/demand report fresh in the minds of traders, the market will search for price discovery and a price level which will stimulate better demand. Ending stocks are estimated at 1.764 bb vs. 1.790 bb last year and will limit old crop rallies. With another bearish report in February, ending stocks could swell to over 1.8 bb. This could be the bearish news that puts in a seasonal low for corn. Corn continues to closely follow the crude oil market and seasonally, crude oil bottoms in February before increased usage draws down crude stocks and prices rally. Last year, U.S. farmers planted 86.5 million acres. Corn producers are expected to plant 2-3 million more acres in 2010 compared to 2009 as the lower input costs and strong chances for high yields will attract more corn acres this spring. With some corn still remaining un-harvested in the fields and some corn spoiling in storage, the USDA may choose to lower the ending stocks levels after the revision in the March crop report. Heavy snow cover in the Midwest and the lack of fieldwork, combined with El Nino conditions this spring could lead to spring planting delays. Producers should look to buy the weakness in the last half of February.
Beef/Cattle: In addition to further extending the 2009 fall harvest of grains, cold, snowy weather in the Plains States is increasing winter feeding costs and death losses while reducing cattle gains. The result is declines in average dressed weights beyond typical seasonal declines and a slight increase in cattle and beef prices.
On Friday, January 22, 2010, the USDA released their latest Cattle on Feed report for the month of January. The report is considered friendly with highlights including an 11 year low in cattle placements and an eight year low in on feed supplies. Terrible winter storms in the month of December where a major contributing factor to placing less cattle on feed than expected and marketing cattle more aggressively.
STANTON, Minn. - Syngenta will share information about the use of a new technology that improves efficiency and lowers the cost of genetic data production at the upcoming 52nd Annual Maize Genetic Conference in Riva del Garda, Italy, March 18 to 21. Array Tape™ technology, created by Douglas Scientific and first implemented in ag biotech by Syngenta, is beneficial for genotyping plant tissues in marker-assisted breeding. This technology presents a tremendous advantage over the technology that has been the industry standard for years. Small volume reactions combined with simple testing techniques make Array Tape an ideal platform for many applications.
Fresno, Calif., (AgPR), - PureSense Environmental Inc. launched their new Irrigation Manager software on March 9th and with it the capability for growers to track bee flight hours in the new Bee Flight Report.
The new GMD 3550 TL and GMD 4050 TL trailed disc mowers cut more acres per hour and offer simple adjustments, low maintenance, and dependable grass cutting. These models have working widths of 11' 6" and 13' and can cut at speeds as high as 10 miles per hour to efficiently mow hay at a rate of up to 126 acres per day.
Burr Ridge, IL - Nufarm Americas, Inc. announces the addition of Nufarm Quinclorac SPC 75 DF Herbicide to its expanding portfolio. Nufarm Quinclorac SPC 75 DF Herbicide contains quinclorac, the active ingredient used in Drive® herbicide.
The new E42, E45 and E50 models join the Bobcat M-Series compact excavator line in the 4-to-5-ton weight class. All three feature improved performance and operator comfort.
Kalida, Ohio, (AgPR) - Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc. introduces the Rolling Reel Leveler model 75, an ideal soil-finishing partner to pull behind a primary tillage tool for more receptive spring tillage.
The Brush Grapple attachment for Front End Loaders and Skid Loaders was shown at the
The all new TS12 Stealth features an exclusive close-coupled design for low tongue weight and shorter turning radius,
EasyFix Rubber Products offers the EasyFix Slat Rubber System - a slat solution for cattle housing facilities. Utilizing Vulcanized natural rubber, the EasyFix slat Rubber System is a durable and robust rubber slat flooring. EasyFix’s wedge installation design makes them simple to install and keeps them firmly in place.
J&D Manufacturing has added a steel Make-A-Gate to their product line. The Steel Make-A-Gate allows you to modify your gate on the job site to get a perfect fit every time. You simply cut the horizontal bars to the desired length and weld or bolt on the vertical support end.
CYPRESS, Calif. - Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., announces its 2011 Rhino 700 FI Side-by-Side (SxS) vehicles, including a new Sport Edition, will begin arriving at dealers this summer.
The DEWPOINT 6110 is designed to be used with large commercial alfalfa hay and other forage balers, 3x3, 3x4, 4x4 and larger bales. Using a Dew Simulation Process, moisture in the form of steam is added to dry forage crops such as Alfalfa, Grass and Grain Forages during the baling process. Advantages include better leaf retention, increased bale density, controlled moisture content and the ability to bale hay during less than ideal conditions.
Cypress, Calif. - Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., introduces a High Current version of the top selling EF2400iS - the new EF2400iSHC. Compact, lightweight and quiet while still powerful, reliable and with low emission, the Yamaha EF2400iSHC generator is perfect for camping, tailgating, powering workshop equipment or at home as back-up during a power outage.
Orlando, Florida - January 13, 2010 (TSX: HEM) Today, from the AG CONNECT Expo in Orlando, Florida, Hemisphere GPS launches its G100 all-in-one steering and guidance system for auto-steer ready agricultural vehicles.
After carefully evaluating over 200 pages of reports from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) concerning the increased demand for corn for “biofuels,” it certainly becomes increasingly clear to me that the passage of “The Federal Milk Marketing Improvement Act of 2009,” (S-1645), often called “The Specter-Casey Dairy Bill,” is essential for the survival of our dairy farmers.
I will start with the items we can agree on: Uncle Sam has more horses than he can properly tend to, those horses are costing taxpayers too much money and we need a solution other than the current system of long-term holding facilities.
To the editor: This letter is in response to Jennifer Fahy (communications director for Farm Aid)and Farm Aid's stated opposition to CAFOs in an article printed in Ag Weekly.
The average price paid to dairy farmers shipping milk to milk handlers regulated by Federal Order #1 (Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC, General Order) comes to $13.01 per cwt. The total cost of production in these areas according to the Economic Research Service (a division of USDA) was between $22 and $22.50 per cwt.
Manhattan, KS (AgPR), - Judging from the varied reactions of viewers watching last Sunday's 60 Minutes TV segment, "California: Running Dry," the state's three-year-drought is more complicated than simply the weather, according to the president of a national coalition of farm and ranch women. "If you look at comments on the CBS website, you can see how emotional people are," said Chris Wilson, president of American Agri-Women (AAW). "But if people studied the facts of this case, they would see the devastating effects of the Endangered Species Act on not only rural people but Americans everywhere, not just California, because these farmers feed the world."
The Oct. 7 statement by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) regarding Canada’s challenge of the U.S. Country of Origin Labeling Law (COOL) under the World Trade Organization (WTO) was disappointing to many cattle producers across the country, including myself.
A group of musicians including Dave Matthews, Neil Young, Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp got together in St. Louis, Missouri recently and held a benefit concert to raise money for small farmers.
During 2008, the Idaho dairy industry generated an estimated $2.15 billion in milk sales. That amounts to 34 percent of Idaho’s farm cash receipts; which places dairy ahead of all other agricultural commodities produced in Idaho.
As 2009 draws to a close, it is time to look back some of the most important events of the last year.
TWIN FALLS, Idaho - Idaho's number one agriculture sector struggled throughout 2009.
TWIN FALLS, Idaho - "It's been a tough year," said Don Hale, a hay grower from Blackfoot, Idaho.
TWIN FALLS, Idaho - In a year that has often been described as the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, breaking even is not a bad place to be. The beef cattle industry has weathered 2009 in slightly better shape than other livestock sectors. Wilson Gray, University of Idaho extension livestock economist, thinks most producers had break even to slightly negative returns in 2009. That's good news after a dismal 2008.
TWIN FALLS, Idaho - Even a good water year couldn't wash away a decade's worth of fighting over conjunctive management on the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer. A normal to above normal snowpack coupled with abundant moisture in June helped fill the Upper Snake reservoir system and provided water for managed aquifer recharge projects and carryover for the 2010 season.
TWIN FALLS, Idaho - Given the economic outlook for 2009, Idaho's aquaculture industry braced for a repeat of the post 9-11 market free fall.
TWIN FALLS, Idaho - Whether 2009 was an average year or a terrific year depended on where a grain field was located. Dryland producers were blessed with abundant moisture in June that turned into record yields at harvest. But irrigators didn't benefit as much from Mother Nature's bounty.