Idaho Farm Bureau® News

Just in from Washington

2012-01-30T09:05:00.003-07:00

New School Lunch Standards Unveiled

Washington--First lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Wednesday unveiled new standards for school meals that, according to USDA, will result in healthier meals for kids across the nation.

The new meal requirements will raise standards for the first time in more than 15 years and improve the health and nutrition of nearly 32 million kids that participate in school meal programs every school day. The healthier meal requirements are a key component of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which was championed by the first lady as part of her Let's Move! campaign and signed into law by President Barack Obama.

The new rules will:Ensure students are offered both fruits and vegetables every day of the week;Substantially increase offerings of whole grain-rich foods;Offer only fat-free or low-fat milk varieties;Limit calories based on the age of children being served to ensure proper portion size; andIncrease the focus on reducing the amounts of saturated fat, trans fats and sodium.

"http://www.ofr.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2012-01010_PI.pdf">USDA final ruleUSDA news release and blog

Jerry Kramer and Idaho YF&R Collegiate Members

2012-01-29T21:41:00.001-07:00

Jerry Kramer and Idaho YF&R Collegiate Members, originally uploaded by Jake Putnam.

Pro Football legend Jerry Kramer took time to pose with the University of Idaho's Young Farmer and Rancher Group, Saturday in Boise.
Kramer was the featured guest, telling the YF&R group that excellence is an acquired skill.

Young Farmer and Rancher Conference

2012-01-27T21:21:00.002-07:00

Boise--Idaho Farm Bureau President Frank Priestley addresses the Young Farmer and Rancher Conference Friday evening at the Idaho Hotel and Conference Center. Priestley urged YF&R members to stay active and to keep up on issues this legislative session. Priestley says a number of Ag issues will be followed and tracked throughout the session.

Young Farmer and Rancher Conference

2012-01-27T21:16:00.002-07:00

Boise--Members of the Idaho Young Farmer and Rancher Group tour the Idaho Statehouse on Friday morning. The tour consisted of the new wings, along with the old sections of the historic building.

Young Farmer and Rancher Conference

2012-01-27T21:03:00.004-07:00

Boise-Idaho Senator Melinda Smyser of Parma addresses the Idaho Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Group at the Idaho Statehouse on Friday. Smyser is the Vice Chairman of the State Senate Agriculture Committee.

Young Farmer and Rancher Conference

2012-01-27T20:55:00.001-07:00

Boise--House Ag Chairman, Rep. Ken Andrus addresses the Idaho Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Group at the Statehouse on Friday morning. Andrus gave a preview of the 2012 Legislative session and key issues that could come in front of the Agriculture Committee.

2012-01-27T20:43:00.000-07:00

Young Farmer and Rancher Conference

2012-01-27T05:41:00.002-07:00

YF&R Conference Underway in Boise

Boise--The Idaho Farm Bureau's Young Farmer and Rancher Group is gathering in Boise for their annual meeting at the Boise Hotel and Conference Center.

This morning the group will tour the Idaho Statehouse and meet with lawmakers.

The Idaho Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference is the largest gathering of young farmers and ranchers (between the ages of 18 and 35) in the state of Idaho, commonly attracting over 200 attendees. The organization was established to cultivate future Farm Bureau leaders.

This year’s conference theme is “Engage – Act – Win.” The group will tour the Idaho Statehouse and attend workshops on planning for success and sustaining profitability on beef cow / calf operations. The workshops will be led by Colorado State University Extension Agriculture and Business Management Specialists Rod Sharp and Jeff Tranel.

A grain marketing workshop will be hosted by Clark Johnston, a grain marketing specialist and owner of JC Management Co., of Ogden, Utah. The group will also attend an evening banquet and participate in a scholarship auction.

County News

2012-01-26T14:45:00.000-07:00

Ada County Farm Bureau Gets National AFBF Award
Honolulu--The Ada County Farm Bureau received the County Activities Excellence award at the American Farm Bureau convention in Honolulu, Hawaii. The awards were presented to 25 county Farm Bureaus from around the country that had programs to educate and promote
agriculture.

Each county received $2250 from the American Farm Bureau
Foundation for Agriculture and were given space for a display in the exhibit
hall. The exhibits presented by the counties allowed members to interact
and exchange ideas to better present our message assuring the public that the
food they purchase is safe, wholesome and affordable.

Just in from Boise

2012-01-26T08:52:00.001-07:00

AFBF Urges Congress to Reject Antibiotic Restrictions

Washington--The American Farm Bureau Federation is urging congressional members to oppose legislation that would restrict the use of antibiotics in livestock and poultry. In letters sent Wednesday to Senate and House members, AFBF said the legislation would handicap veterinarians and farmers in their efforts to maintain animal health and protect the nation’s food supply.

“Farm Bureau members use antibiotics carefully, judiciously and according to label instructions to treat, prevent and control disease in their flocks and herds,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “These products are critically important to the health and welfare of the animals and to the safety of the food produced from these animals.”

AFBF went further to say that antibiotic use in animals does not pose a serious public health threat.

“Proponents of the bill suggest that antibiotic use could constitute a public health threat through antibiotic-resistant bacteria in animals being passed along, creating a similar resistance in humans,” said Stallman. “However, in more than 40 years of antibiotics being used to treat animals, such a public health threat has not arisen, and recent government data shows the potential that one might occur is declining.”

Pending bills H.R. 965 (House) and S. 1211 (Senate) would remove specific antibiotics and classes of antibiotics that are important for use in animals from the market.

AFBF news release

Just in from Boise

2012-01-25T13:26:00.000-07:00

NFL Legend to Address Idaho Young Farmers and Ranchers

BOISE - Former Green Bay Packer Jerry Kramer will address the Idaho Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer and Rancher’s Annual Leadership Conference at 10 a.m. on Saturday January 28th, at the Boise Hotel and Convention Center.

Kramer was born in Montana but lived most of his early years in Sandpoint.

After graduating from Sandpoint High in 1954, he accepted a football scholarship to the University of Idaho. Kramer’s good size, speed and athletic ability elevated him to star status for the Vandals. After graduation Kramer played in the East-West Shrine Game and the College All-Star Game, defeating the defending NFL Champion Detroit Lions. Kramer had his jersey retired by the University of Idaho.

Kramer was drafted by the Green Bay Packers and won the starting right guard position his rookie year. With the Packers he won five NFL titles and the first two Super Bowls. Kramer also was the team’s kicker in ’62, 63, and part of 1968.

Kramer was named All-Pro five times and is the only member of the NFL's 50th Anniversary All-Time team who is not a member the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Near the end of his career in 1967, Kramer collaborated with Dick Schapp on his first book, the best-selling Instant Replay, a diary of the season which chronicled the life of an offensive lineman in the NFL.

Kramer and Schaap would write two more books together. Kramer played his last year under new head coach Phil Bengtson in 1968. After that season, which saw the aging Packers fall to a losing record of 6-7-1, Kramer wrote a second book, Farewell to Football. After retiring, Kramer briefly worked as a color commentator on CBS National Football League telecasts.

Kendall Keller is the IFBF Young Farmers and Ranchers coordinator. He can be reached atkkeller@idahofb.org.

County News

2012-01-25T07:22:00.000-07:00

Latah County Farm Bureau Board of Directors meet for annual Board training last week. The Board met in their offices in Moscow. (Bob Smathers photo)

Just in from Washington

2012-01-24T08:55:00.002-07:00

Lawmakers Hold EPA to Task for ‘Sue & Settle’ Tactic

Washington--Republican leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee last week wrote to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson accusing the agency of choosing to settle activist lawsuits under terms EPA then uses to expand its regulatory authority.

EPA reportedly is negotiating with environmental groups to settle two lawsuits concerning the agency’s regulatory authority under the Clean Water Act. One of the lawsuits alleges that EPA has a duty to regulate groundwater pollution under the CWA. The other lawsuit alleges that EPA must mandate that states regulate nonpoint source pollution.

“Since neither allegation is true, we were very surprised to learn that EPA is choosing to settle these cases, rather than to honor the limits of its authority under the Clean Water Act and vigorously defend these cases,” wrote Reps. John Mica (Fla.) and Bob Gibbs (Ohio) and Sens. James Inhofe (Okla.) and Jeff Sessions (Ala.). Mica in a news release said that the “sue and settle” tactic is becoming an EPA tool for “backdoor jurisdiction grabs.”

The lawmakers asked Jackson to respond to several questions, including whether the agency has the authority to command a state to regulate nonpoint source pollution. Pollution from nonpoint sources can come from farms, city streets, suburban lawns and logging, mining and construction sites. When Congress passed the CWA, it dictated that with the exception of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, agricultural compliance with water quality standards had to be voluntary and incentive-based.

Letter to EPA Administrator

Just in from Washington

2012-01-23T06:08:00.000-07:00

AFBF Establishes Priority Issues for 2012

Washington--Congress will debate numerous issues this year. And the American Farm Bureau Federation has positions on a multitude of issues. But President Bob Stallman says the organization must focus its resources on a short list of priority issues to wield influence in Washington, D.C.

“It’s very important that we pass a farm bill in 2012,” Stallman said. “The current one expires at the end of 2012. Farmers need some certainty; they need to understand what the rules are about whatever safety net the government is there to provide for those calamities and instances where farmers’ and ranchers’ entire operations are at risk.”

Other priority issues for AFBF in 2012 include securing an adequate agricultural guestworker program, urging the Department of Labor to maintain the traditional exemption for family labor for children of farmers and ranchers, and estate tax policy reform.

Newsline audio story

Just in from Washington

2012-01-21T07:22:00.000-07:00

Forest Service Grants $52.2M to Protect Working Forests

Washington--The U.S. Forest Service is granting $52.2 million for 17 conservation and working lands projects across the U.S. in 2012. The Forest Legacy Program has protected 2.2 million acres through public-private partnership using federal and leveraged funds of more than $562 million.

The program works with private landowners, states and conservation groups to promote sustainable, working forests. According to the service, Forest Legacy is an important component of the America’s Great Outdoors initiative’s goal of conserving rural working farms, ranches and forests by accelerating locally driven landscape conservation priorities.

“The Forest Legacy Program helps keep working forests working across the country,” said Chief Tom Tidwell. “These projects will support rural economies and American jobs while protecting some of our most beautiful landscapes for our children and grandchildren.”

USDA Forest Service news release

Just in--

2012-01-20T08:18:00.001-07:00

IDAHO’S SNOWPACKS IMPROVE

Boise – Despite heavy snow storms this week; Snow surveyors from the Natural Resources Conservation Service say that measured snowpacks around the state are still below average.

“That extended dry spell from Thanksgiving to mid-December gave us blue skies during the day and cold nights but little else,” said Ron Abramovich Idaho NRCS Water Supply Specialist.

The Gem State’s twenty-two snow telemetry sites registered record low levels of snow in December and early January. But storms in mid January finally pushed out the static weather pattern and raised monthly precipitation measurements across the state but not enough to bring snowpacks to average levels, yet.

Abramovich says that La Nina high pressure ridges that dominated in November and December that form during these cycles break down, but still can give snowpacks time to build up.

“We’ve seen a few catch up models,” said Abramovich. “Especially the past few years, with this weather pattern we can get close to average levels as long as this storm track stays in place and the high pressure system stay’s north.”

“Long term climate forecasts still predict La Niña conditions will bring above average precipitation to the Pacific Northwest for the next several months,” said Abramovich. “But we need La Niña and 12 weeks of winter to salvage the year.”

Northern Idaho snowpacks are the best at 75-90% of average for this time of year. Southern and central Idaho snowpacks range from 35 to 65% of average. “The big storms have hit the driest parts of the state, things are looking up in Central Idaho,” added Abramovich.

The January storms tripled snowpack in the McCall and Bogus Basin area. Ski Areas that got off to a slow start, opened a month late. “They’re playing catch up too, but most should be okay the rest of the season,” said Abramovich.

Abramovich says that even if snowpacks remain below average this winter, there’s till excellent carryover water from last year. Reservoirs don’t need as much water as years past. He says there should be more than enough for for irrigation, power generation and recreation.

Forecasters across the Northwest say that the storm track pattern is changing and the ridge of high pressure or the "bubble of warm air" that had deflected storms northward into Canada and buried Alaska has broken down for now.

Hay Prices hit Record levels

2012-01-18T06:46:00.004-07:00

Meridian--Idaho hay prices have reached last years peak prices, and are expected to stay above the two-hundred dollar mark according to market experts.

Idaho Hay and Forage Association Director Rick Waitley says that prices are at an all-time high, with average prices leveling out at $240 to $260 a ton.

Market experts say increased demands from feedlots and dairies combined with higher, out-of-state demand and good spring cuts in 2011. Growers say if they can get a good first cut this spring, prices could stay at record levels through the summer because market demand is strong.

2012-01-18T06:17:00.000-07:00

Asian Markets Will Benefit Ag in 2012

Washington--As global demand for U.S. agricultural products continues to grow, American farmers can expect to see an increasing number of opportunities in China and other Asian markets in 2012, according to William Westman, Vice President for International Trade at the Meat Institute, speaking at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 93^rd Annual Meeting.

“There are tremendous opportunities in China,” said Westman. “You have four times the population of the United States on two-thirds the size of the land and 225 cities anticipated to have populations of at least 1 million people by 2025. And just like us, they want what is best for their families. They want safe food and, with their emerging middle class, they now want more proteins and higher quality food.”

China also has more than $3 trillion in foreign exchange reserves and is starting to use it. The country’s agricultural production isn’t adequately keeping pace with its rapidly growing population, even in areas where farmers are producing multiple crops per year on intensively utilized land.

Westman explained that the Chinese government is trying to improve the nation’s agricultural infrastructure and productivity by investing in new technologies,

heavily subsidizing machinery and changing the efficiencies of the way farmers plant and harvest crops. However, water shortages in northern portions of the country hinder this progress and make the nation increasingly dependent on agricultural imports.

“China is our largest market for ag exports in all commodities and our trade with the country is up more than 1,000 percent since 2002,” said Westman, “But this remains one of the world’s most challenging markets. Even as interest in U.S. commodity exports rises, the Chinese government is going to continue to invest primarily in pork and poultry.”

The consumer market in China is shifting, too. Consumers are not only concerned about the quality of the food they are buying, but are also increasingly demanding high-quality presentations for that food. This becomes more apparent when factoring in the number of five-star hotels opening in China – and could become the missing piece needed for U.S. beef exports to succeed.

“The demand for our beef is accelerating in north Asia, but we have to have patience,” said Westman. “Our U.S. products have a wonderful image in China. They want what we are producing, but, for now, pork and poultry still reign.”

Just in--

2012-01-17T10:53:00.001-07:00

Boise--The National Weather Service office in Boise issued a Winter Storm Warning for Wednesday for nearly all of southern Idaho. The latest update warns as much as 5-10 inches of snow could fall at lower elevations, with three feet or more in the higher elevations.

The snow level will start out at the valley floor level, and rise throughout the day with rain mixing into lower elevations. Snow level by Thursday should be 5,000 feet. Forecasters put the chance of precipitation in the Boise area at 100 percent for Wednesday.

The brunt of the storm is expected Wednesday afternoon and into the evening as a warm front moves over.

After Wednesday, the storm will primarily mean rain for the valley areas and mountain snow. The stormy pattern isn’t expected to let up – with much of the 7 Day Forecast filled with rain and snow icons.

Just in--

2012-01-17T09:10:00.000-07:00

'Farmers Feed US' movement Expands to Mid-Atlantic

Chicago--A coalition of agricultural commodity groups and farmers from Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware are launching the Mid-Atlantic Farmers Feed US.

The program is a great opportunity to introduce consumers to the hard-working men and women in their region who raise healthy, nutritious and affordable food, according to Charlie Arnot, CEO of the Center for Food Integrity. “We need to show that even though our systems have changed and our use of technology has increased, the farmer’s commitment to do what’s right has never been stronger.”

Open to Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Washington, D.C., residents, the program will offer consumers the chance to win one of four “Free Groceries for a Year” sweepstakes prizes, while introducing them to 10 of the region’s farmers.

Since July 2009, Farmers Feed US has been connecting growers and consumers in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Minnesota and Illinois. The programs have accounted for more than 1.35 million consumer sweepstakes registrations, with each one introducing consumers to farmers from their state.

Mid-Atlantic Farmers Feed US

Just in--

2012-01-14T07:21:00.000-07:00

AFBF Delegates Approve Flexible, Fiscally Sound Farm Policy

HONOLULU– National farm policy should be rewritten this year to establish a program that protects farmers from catastrophic revenue losses by using a flexible combination of fiscally responsible tools, said voting delegates at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 93rd Annual Meeting.

In approving the organization’s farm policy for 2012, the farmers and ranchers endorsed a multi-pronged policy proposal, including a provision for catastrophic revenue loss protection that works with a flexible range of crop insurance products, as well as amending the current farm bill’s marketing loan provisions to better reflect market values.

The adopted policy calls for a farm bill that “provides strong and effective safety net and risk management programs that do not guarantee a profit and minimizes the potential for farm programs affecting production decisions.”

“Our delegates approved a program to help farmers manage the many different types and levels of risk they face today, in particular catastrophic revenue losses that can threaten the viability of a farm or ranch,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “That is consistent with what we believe is the core mission of the federal farm program.”

Stallman was re-elected as AFBF president for a seventh two-year term. He is a cattle and rice producer from Columbus, Texas. In addition, Barry Bushue was re-elected to a third two-year term as AFBF vice president. Bushue produces berries and nursery plants in Boring, Ore., and also serves as Oregon Farm Bureau president.

The delegates defeated a proposal to retain the current farm bill’s direct payments. In addition, by almost a two-to-one margin, the delegates defeated an amendment that would have allowed a patchwork of support through multiple programs for different commodities and regions.

“Delegate action against the patchwork approach recognized that it is impossible to ensure equity between diverse programs for various commodities,” Stallman said. “Without that assurance, one program would inevitably provide more government protection than the next program and we would inadvertently be encouraging producers to take their signals from government programs rather than the marketplace.

“Our delegates approved a policy that is flexible enough to work within the funding constraints we, as a nation, are facing, and the fiscal challenges we have a duty to address,” Stallman said. “Our delegates recognize we need to move beyond the policies of the past and to move toward programs to help producers deal with risk.”

One of the big advantages of the new AFBF farm policy position is that it offers a much simpler approach to farm program design than other farm policy proposals, according to Stallman.

The AFBF farm policy also encourages farmers to manage their farms using available risk management tools. According to Stallman, farmers should be allowed and encouraged to make individual management decisions to purchase crop insurance coverage that suits their farms and individual levels of risk.

Another positive aspect of the Farm Bureau farm policy proposal is that it can be applied to specialty crops.

“Our new farm policy position also includes the possibility of providing a farm bill risk management program for producers of fruits and vegetables,” Stallman said. “This is just one positive aspect of the proposal that we believe not only will broaden its utility to all farmers but will also appeal to an American public that is more interested in the wholesomeness, safety and variety of our domestic food supply.”

In a related discussion on dairy policy, delegates voted to move away from the current dairy price support and Milk Income Loss Contract programs and toward a program that bases risk protection on milk prices minus feed costs. This takes production costs into consideration, as well as recognizes the dairy industry’s regional differences, according to Stallman.

On renewable fuels, the delegates reaffirmed support for the federal Renewable Fuels Standard by defeating an amendment to strike that support.

“The RFS remains critical to the viability of ethanol as an alternative to imported petroleum fuel,” explained Stallman, “and the delegates felt that continuing to support production and use of domestic renewable fuels was a national security issue.”

The delegates opposed the Labor Department’s proposed expansion of the list of jobs deemed too hazardous for minors.

“The proposal has raised serious concerns in farm country about our ability to teach our children how to farm and instill a good work ethic,” Stallman said. “There is a great deal of concern about federal regulatory overreach, but few issues have piqued farm families more than this. It goes to the very heart of how agriculture works, with farmers and ranchers, who were taught by their parents how to do farm work safely and responsibly, training the next generation to follow in their own footsteps.”

The delegates also supported a moratorium on new regulations on small businesses and agriculture.

At the AFBF annual meeting, 369 voting delegates representing every state and agricultural commodity deliberated on policies affecting farmers’ and ranchers’ productivity and profitability. The policies approved at the annual meeting will guide the nation’s largest general farm organization in its legislative and regulatory efforts throughout 2012.

Farm Bureau Elects Grassroots Leaders

In addition to voting for president and vice president, the delegates elected three state Farm Bureau presidents to the AFBF board of directors: Kevin Paap of Minnesota and Craig Hill of Iowa to one-year terms for the Midwestern region and James “Hank” Combs of Nevada to a two-year term for the Western region.

Fourteen other state Farm Bureau presidents were re-elected to represent their regions on the AFBF board of directors:

Midwest Region – Steve Baccus, Kansas; Blake Hurst, Missouri; Philip Nelson, Illinois; and Scott VanderWal, South Dakota.

Southern Region – Mark Haney, Kentucky; John Hoblick, Florida; Randy Knight, Mississippi; Jerry Newby, Alabama; Randy Veach, Arkansas; David Winkles, South Carolina; and Wayne Pryor, Virginia.

Northeast Region – Patricia Langenfelder, Maryland; and Richard Nieuwenhuis, New Jersey.

Western Region – Bob Hanson, Montana.

Glen Cope, a beef cattle producer from Missouri, was elected the new chairman of the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee, which also makes him a member of the AFBF board of directors during his one-year term.

Terry Gilbert of Kentucky continues to serve as chair of the AFB Women’s Leadership Committee and on the AFBF board of directors. Committee members Isabella Chism of Indiana and Beth Pool of New Jersey were re-elected to two-year terms on the committee. Denise Hymel of Louisiana and Lillian Ostendorf of Montana also were elected to two-year terms.

Just in from Washington

2012-01-13T08:57:00.002-07:00

Retail Food Prices Moderate Slightly in Fourth Quarter

Washington--Retail food prices at the supermarket declined slightly during
the fourth quarter of 2011, according to the latest American Farm Bureau
Federation Marketbasket Survey. The informal survey shows the total cost of 16
food items that can be used to prepare one or more meals was $49.23, down $3.89
or about 7 percent compared to the third quarter of 2011. Of the 16 items
surveyed, 14 decreased and two increased in average price compared to the prior
quarter. The overall basket of foods was up about 5 percent compared to one
year ago.

“Since about the last quarter of 2010, we have seen consistently higher
prices quarter-to-quarter on a broad range of marketbasket items,” said AFBF
Senior Economist John Anderson. “With this survey, that trend appears to have
reversed. While the marketbasket price was still higher year-over-year, the
pull-back from recent highs on most of the items in the basket suggests that
food price inflation is slowing down substantially.”

Meat and dairy products accounted for about half of the quarter-to-quarter
retail price decrease. Sliced deli ham decreased 74 cents to $4.69 per pound,
shredded cheddar decreased 38 cents to $4.32 per pound, bacon decreased 36
cents to $4.05 per pound, sirloin tip roast dropped 13 cents to $4.15 per
pound, ground chuck dropped 10 cents to $3.17 per pound, boneless chicken
breasts decreased 9 cents to $3.24 per pound and eggs dropped 6 cents to $1.72
for one dozen.

AFBF news release

American Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, Honolulu

2012-01-11T06:20:00.000-07:00

Jacob Andersen makes Final Four, YF&R Discussion Meet Final

Honolulu--Heather Barnes of North Carolina won the Discussion Meet. She will have her choice of either a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado or a 2012 GMC Sierra, courtesy of GM, plus free registration to the 2012 AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference.

The three runners-up in the Discussion Meet are Jacob Andersen of Idaho, Katie Pratt of Illinois and Chelsea Good of Kansas. Each runner-up will receive a Case IH Farmall 55A, courtesy of Case IH, a $5,000 Savings Bond and a STIHL Farm Boss, courtesy of STIHL.

The Discussion Meet simulates a committee meeting in which active discussion and participation are expected. Participants are evaluated on their ability to exchange ideas and information on a predetermined topic.

AFBF Annual Meeting wrap-up

2012-01-10T21:32:00.001-07:00

Annual Meeting Wraps Up With Laughter and Awards

Honolulu--During the closing session of the 93rd American Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, members heard remarks from the United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. He discussed how important agriculture was to our country and the important role it plays in every American’s life. He pledged USDA would continue to listen to farmers and ranchers on rules and regulations and the impacts they may have before finalizing any new rules and regulations. He stressed the importance of helping young people return to the farm and the growing need to promote and talk about agriculture with consumers. He also addressed the reality of a farm bill that will focus on catastrophic losses and low commodity prices.

The Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, AFBF’s highest honor, was presented next. Missouri Farm Bureau past President Charles Kruse received the award with his wife Pam by his side. Kruse has dedicated his life to serving agriculture and has diligently worked to move agriculture forward.

Members enjoyed several laughs while listening to Dave Barry speak. Dave joked that he knew where our food really comes from today. He said our food comes from the trucks parked behind the supermarkets, not the supermarket shelves. He admitted not knowing a lot about agriculture but he expressed his gratitude for farmers and ranchers who produce the food he enjoys.

After much anticipation, it was finally time for the Young Farmers and Ranchers winners to be announced.

This year’s meeting was once again a great success! Next year the great state of Tennessee will host Farm Bureau members for the 94th Annual Meeting of the American Farm Bureau in Nashville.

Idaho Legislature Underway in Boise

2012-01-10T08:38:00.004-07:00

Boise--Idaho Governor Butch Otter delivered his annual State of the State address on Monday. The second term governor wants to cut $60 million in income tax cuts, offer a pay raise for state workers, teachers and somehow give students laptops computers.

Otter's speech emphasized that he's more prone to make state budget cuts than adding costly new programs. His proposed income tax cuts greatly out weigh the paltry $5 million initiative to create technology jobs and spur university research.

Otter's proposed $41 million, 3 percent pay bonus for state workers and teachers has strings attatched -- they'll get the cash but only if tax revenues stay on track.

"There's a wide diversity of opinion on how best to target tax relief," Otter said. "But there's also broad consensus on the need to reduce the burden both on our hard-working taxpayers and on those employers who are looking for opportunities to grow our economy while creating careers and livelihoods."

Otter's 2013 budget will spend $2.65 billion in the next fiscal year, 4 percent more than this year when the state is expected to wind up with a roughly $100 million in state coffers till next June.

Lawmakers have at least three months to ponder all of the Governor's proposals before heading home.

Wheat News

2012-01-10T08:19:00.003-07:00

Joe Anderson, a commissioner on the Idaho Wheat Commission stopped by the Farm Bureau offices in Boise to discuss the new Ag research endowment at the University of Idaho. Joe and wife Pam farm 3400 acres near Potlatch, Idaho.

A new $2-million dollar endowment was established at U of I for wheat research, what sorts of things do we need to sustain Idaho wheat?

Any crop impacted by weather influences has to have continuing research and development. Our ability to conduct agricultural research education has been impacted at federal, state, even county levels. I think Idaho Wheat Growers believe that we are in a new day and time and if we are going to compete for acres and the marketplace globally, we're going to have to maintain and enhance research to improve varieties of wheat. Specifically, we need to increase the efficiencies of production in this state. At the same time we’re vastly short of agricultural scientists in this country. The average age of a plant scientist working in the U.S. is 57 years old. Right now a plant breeder can name their salary because companies as well as universities are looking for them. So this era of cannibalizing researchers and constantly searching for plant breeders is bothersome. Hopefully this endowment will ease the problem and encourage some of the best and brightest students to get into plant science. We want to start a work study program as soon as possible, if they show promise, prospective students would get a 4 year scholarship for undergad work and work in wheat research programs. In just a few years we can turn out young plant scientists to replace that aging workforce.

What sorts of innovations do we need to stay sustainable in the world marketplace?

We need programs that have enough variability in the germ plasm base to be able to very quickly incorporate various types of germ plasm into varieties that are adapted. That's part of the incentive to partner with these companies, that we will have technology to do that. Its still plant variety development at this point but we need to speed up the process of getting genetics into a new varieties.

We as wheat commissioners are interested in bringing partnerships between the University of Idaho, School of Ag, Life Sciences and private companies. We were approached about the Lima Grain cereal seed in May, but couldn’t talk about it at the time because everyone wanted to make sure the agreements were in place. The Idaho Wheat Commission has a commitment and we believe that perhaps the capabilities of private companies and the university can be brought together in a much more timely fashion to address changing needs.

Idaho Legislature Underway in Boise

2012-01-09T10:19:00.003-07:00

Boise--Idaho's 2012 legislative session starts today with Governor Butch Otter's State of the State Address. Lawmakers are in a better mood than last because for the first time in four years, they won't be faced with budget cuts. But the budget is still expected to be the top priority this session.

With 65,000 Idahoans out of work, creating jobs has become a bipartisan issue that both sides agree on.

"We've got a lot of people hurting throughout the state right now," said Rep. Brian Cronin, D-Boise. "It ought to be our number one priority."

"We've got to get people back to work," said Sen. Chuck Winder, R-Boise. "And if we can get people back to work, we will actually increase the revenue without increasing taxes. And that's the real key."

Job creation is never easy and debate will rage about how to get it done with talk of lowering corporate and income tax rates. But by how much, and when, or if at all -- those are the questions lawmakers will wrestle with...and certainly will be addressed by Governor Otter.

Just in...

2012-01-09T06:12:00.000-07:00

IDAHO’S SNOWPACKS LESS THAN AVERAGE

Boise – Snow surveyors from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) measured snowpacks around the state last week verifying that snowpacks are below average.

“We’ve been in an extended dry spell since around Thanksgiving Day,” said Ron Abramovich, Idaho NRCS Water Supply Specialist. “The stagnant weather pattern gave us blue skies during the day and clear skies at night for nearly 30 days.”

Twenty-two snow telemetry sites - the remotely located automated sites that record and transmit snowpack data – registered record low amounts of snow by Christmas Day.

Storms the last week of December finally pushed out the static weather pattern. The storms raised monthly precipitation measurements across the state but not enough to bring snowpacks to average levels. Northern Idaho snowpacks are the best at 75-90% of average for this time of year. Southern and central Idaho snowpacks range from 35 to 65% of average.

“Long term climate forecasts still predict La Niña conditions will bring above average precipitation to the Pacific Northwest for the next several months,” said Abramovich. “We need La Niña and 12 weeks of winter to salvage the year.”

Abramovich added that even if snowpacks remain below average this winter, there is excellent carryover water storage from last year for irrigation, power generation and other uses that rely on the snowpack for water supplies.

NRCS conducts snow surveys at the end of each month from December through May to make snow runoff predictions and water supply forecasts used in managing Idaho’s water resources.

For more information about snowpack, precipitation, runoff and water supplies for specific basins, please view the complete January 2012 Water Supply Outlook Report online at www.id.nrcs.usda.gov/snow and click on the ‘Water Supply’ link.

2012-01-08T21:59:00.003-07:00

Idaho’s Agricultural Research Enhanced through Multi-Million Dollar
Endowments from Idaho Wheat Commission and Limagrain Cereal Seeds

BOISE, Idaho – The Idaho Wheat Commission today announced a plan to create two faculty research endowments with $2 million to the University of Idaho’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences to support Idaho’s 4,500 wheat growers and their $766 million-per-year harvest.

In addition, Limagrain Cereal Seeds has agreed to collaborate with the college on breeding new wheat varieties for Idaho and the Pacific Northwest. Both Limagrain and the college will contribute germplasm, technology and expertise to more rapidly develop varieties with improved productivity and tolerance to diseases and stress. To support this effort, Limagrain also is funding a significant endowment for cropping systems research and graduate training at the university.

“These partnerships clearly demonstrate the power of collaboration and the value that a land-grant institution like the University of Idaho can bring to our state’s economy,” said M. Duane Nellis, president of the University of Idaho. “We deeply appreciate the confidence that both the Idaho Wheat Commission and Limagrain Cereal Seeds have placed in our university.”

Limagrain Cereal Seeds and the university will share grain germplasm, which will “greatly increase varietal options for Idaho and Pacific Northwest wheat growers,” said Dean John Hammel of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.

“This public-private partnership is a win for all of us, and especially for Idaho and the Pacific Northwest wheat industry,” said Hammel. “Today’s economic realities make it increasingly important for industries benefiting from our research to increase their support. The endowments our partners are establishing today are ensuring the future as they will provide ongoing and perpetual research funding. We applaud both the Idaho Wheat Commission and Limagrain Cereal Seeds for stepping up as willing partners.”

Developing new wheat varieties is not easy. It takes a dozen years to develop and test best new grain varieties.

“Future yield increases in wheat will be driven by research,” said Gordon Gallup of Ririe, chairman of the Idaho Wheat Commission, which represents Idaho’s wheat growers. “Private breeders like Limagrain Cereal Seeds bringing new technology and new germplasm into the mix is going to give our public programs a significant boost. New technology will lead to greater yields and better profitability for wheat growers in Idaho and the Pacific Northwest.

“Wheat growers of Idaho are very aware of how important research is to our bottom line,” Gallup said. “If wheat is to remain competitive in our state and region, growers of Idaho must look to public/private partnerships, as well as requiring increased efficiencies in our public research programs.”

“These past few years, we have seen severe cuts to our state universities’ budgets. Although cuts were necessary to balance budgets, those reductions have caused an erosion of our ability to fund research that is necessary to keep agriculture healthy,” Gallup added.

“Idaho’s wheat growers are hopeful that the State of Idaho will continue to invest in agriculture,” Gallup said. “We encourage other agricultural related industries to join in this effort to keep our land grant universities’ research programs healthy and productive.”

Donn Thill, director of the university’s Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station that oversees the institution’s statewide agricultural research, believes that, “by strategically combining our wheat germplasm with Limagrain Cereal Seeds’, new wheat varieties will be created for our growers that yield more wheat per acre, that are easier on the environment, more disease resistant, and more nutritious than what we could do working alone.”

Jim Peterson, vice president for research at Limagrain Cereal Seeds, sees this as “an exciting opportunity to build on the complementary strengths of the University of Idaho and LCS wheat programs.

“The university’s cropping systems research will help growers to better manage and capture value from new varieties that come out of the collaborative breeding effort,” Peterson said. The collaboration also brings a new international dimension to wheat research in Idaho and the Northwest. Limagrain Cereal Seeds is a new joint venture between the France-based Limagrain Group, the largest cereal seed company in Europe, and Arcadia Biosciences, a biotechnology company based in Davis, Calif.

This year, the Idaho Wheat Commission endowments will fund a wheat breeding and a wheat agronomist professorship, each located at the university’s Aberdeen Research and Extension Center. “Some of this endowment will enhance salaries of faculty already conducting research, an effort to stay competitive, to keep these professionals in Idaho,” Thill said.

Limagrain Cereal Seeds’ support for graduate training also is timely.

“Nationally, we’re facing shortages of experienced people in agriculture with these skills,” Thill said. “An important part of our job is training the next generation of crop scientists. These endowments will help us.”

As part of its commitment to the Idaho grain industry, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences is reallocating resources and faculty positions to strengthen statewide cereal research and extension, areas hard hit during the severe economic downturn of the past several years.

These strategic and collaborative partnerships will enable the college to fill two cropping positions in the coming year, one each in Moscow and Aberdeen, along with a plant nutrition position. “These positions will provide important agronomic support to newly developed cereals and other crops,” Hammel said.

The small-grain cereal cropping system agronomist in Moscow will focus on northern Idaho’s dryland production systems including small grain cereals, peas, lentils and oilseed with a value of $150 million annually to northern Idaho.

The plant nutritionist will focus on optimizing fertilizer use and placement in winter wheat to ensure environmental protection and sustainable crop production in both conventional and direct seed farming systems.

To further improve adaptation of new wheat varieties in northern Idaho, an area-wide extension educator position, located in Nez Perce County, will be filled to support cereal agronomic and yield test sites in northern Idaho.

In Aberdeen, “the cropping systems agronomist will provide much needed research and extension information in best management practices for wheat, barley, and crops grown with them in rotation,” added Hammel. Additionally at Aberdeen, a research entomology position will be refilled to develop extension and research programs in insect management for crops including small-grain cereals and potatoes.

Lack of snow could hurt local farmers - www.kivitv.com

2012-01-06T07:32:00.003-07:00

Nampa--Mountain snow is crucial to Idaho’s Agricultural industry. With our dry conditions should area farmers be concerned? They say, not yet. However, the deeper we go into harvest season the more cause for concern.

Sid and Wes Freeman of Middleton are fifth and sixth generation seed farmers. They said a lack of snow pack this winter is new territory.

“This time of the year is kind of weird,” said Wes, 19, who has grown up farming with his family. “I remember growing up that we’d be sledding on the hilly by the house or at bogus.”

Idaho Farm Bureau spokesman Jake Putnam said it’s dry, but don’t throw up the red flag.

“We haven’t had any snowfall or any rain in over a month,” Putnam said. “December was shaping up to be one of the driest months ever…until we had a little bit of rain toward the end.”

Rain and snow is crucial for Idaho farmers. They rely on mountain runoff for irrigation of their crops. Typically, the snow packed in the mountains during the winter melts through the spring and summer.

Area farmers say they’re not going to panic just yet, but the snow levels must rise January, especially February and into March.

Despite no snow, farmers remain optimistic for now.

“We will get the precipitation,” said Putnam. “We will get the snow pack…the reservoirs are filled to the brim, we got more than enough water for next year.”

Sid Freeman agrees.

“The odds are very good that we’ll pick up the necessary snow pack to carry through normal season,” said Freeman.

Just in...

2012-01-04T06:22:00.000-07:00

AVMA: Restricting Antibiotic Use in Food Animals Poses Risk

Washington--The president of the American Veterinary Medical Association on Wednesday sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack reiterating the risk of limiting antibiotic use in food-producing animals without careful consideration of the consequences for human and animal health. The letter was sent following remarks by Vilsack that some interpreted as a sign that USDA was moving to limit the use of antibiotics in food animals. The department later clarified that no change in policy had been made.

In the letter, AVMA President Dr. René Carlson expressed the association’s appreciation that there had been no policy change and reiterated the important role antibiotics play in helping veterinarians protect animal and public health.

“The AVMA strongly supports the judicious use of antibiotics in food-producing animals,” Carlson said. “This includes the administration of antibiotics for treatment, control and prevention of animal diseases to promote food safety as well as assure the health and well-being of food-producing animals.”

Farm Bureau opposes the banning of feed additives and medications for use in livestock and poultry without adequate proof of danger.

AVMA news release

Just in...

2012-01-03T06:23:00.000-07:00

Food Trends for 2012- “The Times They are A-Changin’”

Washington--Food trends for 2012 will look a lot different than they did in 2011, according to Phil Lempert, a.k.a. the “Supermarket Guru,”who says 2012 “may be one of the most exciting—and game-changing—years in the food world.”

Most noteworthy are trends in how consumers will eat, shop and communicate about eating and shopping. According to Lempert, consumers will never have to eat or shop alone again. “It is about connection, conversation and a sense of community,” said Lempert on his blog. “It is estimated that 30 percent of today’s U.S. workforce is made up of independents—as a result they have a greater desire to be in a shared food experience.” Social media apps, food trucks and mobile marketing will bring “unknown people together with common likes,” said Lempert.

Another change: there will be an increased (if possible) interest in farm to fork. Lempert credits farmers with being more forthcoming and outgoing with consumers in the food arena. “A growing number of farmers are leading the conversation by using blogs and social media sites to bring the story of the American farmer to consumers,” says Lempert. Also, “expect to see more advertising and television programs starring these real food experts,” he said.

Lempert also believes that men will start doing more of the shopping, because more of them are staying at home due to the economy; added sugars will be greatly reduced in many foods and drinks; and brands will start focusing more on the “sounds” of food as a way to entice consumers.

Just in...

2011-12-30T09:21:00.000-07:00

USDA Report Analyzes Farmers’ Productivity Gains

Washington--A recent report from the Agriculture Department’s Economic Research Service confirms what farmers have been saying for a while now: there are fewer growers, but they are producing more while using fewer chemicals and less land, labor and water. The report credits new technology-driven production practices, like precision agriculture, with this increase in productivity and decrease in environmental impacts.

Farmers and ranchers are also relying more on contracting and shifting to partnerships and corporations, allowing risks to be spread over a wider set of stakeholders, according to ERS’ “The Changing Organization of U.S. Farming.”

Although production has shifted to larger farms over the past 25 years, 97 percent of all farms remain family farms generating more than 85 percent of the total value of U.S. agricultural production, the report said.

ERS report: “The Changing Organization of U.S. Farming”

Just in...

2011-12-28T09:42:00.000-07:00

Gray Wolf De-listing Allows Population Management

Madison--The Fish and Wildlife Service recently removed gray wolves in Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota and parts of adjoining states from the federal Threatened and Endangered Species List. The news was welcomed by state Farm Bureaus in all three states.

According to Karen Gefvert, director of governmental relations for the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, the ruling will “finally provide relief for Wisconsin farmers who have experienced livestock losses from wolf attacks.” The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will now be allowed to manage a wolf population that has grown from the state’s established goal of 350 to more than 800 wolves.

“We all understand the need to protect those species that are endangered, but the wolf population has far exceeded endangered numbers and needs to be brought under control,” said Ernie Birchmeier, Michigan Farm Bureau livestock and dairy specialist. Nearly 700 wolves live in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The decision to de-list the gray wolf returns management of the species to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Minnesota’s gray wolf population is estimated at 2,921. Wolf populations in all three states will be monitored for at least five years by the FWS to ensure the species continues to thrive. According to the FWS, if it appears at any time that the gray wolf cannot sustain itself without the protections of the Endangered Species Act, the listing process can again be initiated, including emergency listing.

Wisconsin Farm Bureau statement

Michigan Farm Bureau statement

Fish & Wildlife Service news release

2011-12-27T09:43:00.000-07:00

Congress Fails to Extend Expiring Tax Provisions

Washington--Members of Congress left Washington, D.C., without extending more than five dozen tax provisions for both individuals and businesses worth roughly $55 billion that will expire at the end of 2011. It is uncertain whether or not Congress will vote to extend the tax provisions retroactively when it returns next year. Farm Bureau supports several tax provisions that are set to expire at the end of the year. This includes provisions on renewable fuels, the Alternative Minimum Tax, bonus depreciation, Section 179 small business expensing, the deduction self-employed individuals may take against self-employment taxes paid and reinstatement of five-year depreciation of farm equipment. Learn more by reading AFBF backgrounders posted online.

Just in...

2011-12-23T08:23:00.000-07:00

Senators Urge DOL to Cancel Proposed Youth Labor Regs

Washington--A total of 28 senators have joined 70 House members in asking Labor Secretary Hilda Solis to withdraw proposed rules related to youth under the age of 16 working on farms. Under the proposed rules, youth under the age of 16 would be banned from operating tractors on farms other than those owned by their parents. Added restrictions on youth working with livestock and outdoors during the summer are also being considered.

Farm Bureau and numerous commodity groups also are urging Solis to drop the proposed rules.

“The traditions and the work ethic associated with growing up on a family farm are worth preserving,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman told the Des Moines Register.

Just in

2011-12-22T09:03:00.002-07:00

Kyle and Jessica wade of Downey, Idaho drive cattle in this photo from last September.

More Young People See Room for Them in Ag

San Francisco--More and more people in their 20s and 30s are becoming farmers, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The publication credits an oppressive corporate world with minimal job security and a growing demand for locally grown and organic food that is making younger people want to leave their careers and start work in agriculture.

While farming has its risks and expensive start-up costs, the sector still did better than other parts of the economy during the past several years. Further, according to the Agriculture Department, farm profits will hit record highs this year.

“People are looking at farm income, especially the increase in asset values, and seeing a really positive story about our economy,” said Mary Clare Ahearn, USDA senior economist. “Young people are viewing agriculture as a great opportunity and saying they want to be a part of it.

Just in from Washington

2011-12-21T07:19:00.001-07:00

AFBF: Farmers Have Big Concerns About New Farm Bill

Washington--Heading into the new year and the start of hearings on the 2012 farm bill, growers want Congress to know that three different support programs are not better than one.

The three programs being considered are a shallow loss program, a higher target price program and the Stacked Income Protection Plan for cotton.

“I just don’t think there’s an economist in the country that is good enough at this that they can make sure that we’re getting equity between three types of programs,” explained Mary Kay Thatcher, American Farm Bureau Federation farm policy specialist, in Monday’s Newsline.

If the programs are not treated equitably, farmers will start responding to government signals, rather than those coming from the marketplace, Thatcher warned.

AFBF Newsline

Just in from Washington

2011-12-20T09:05:00.001-07:00

Farm Bureau Presidents Winnow Potential New Policies

Washington--Farm Bureau presidents from all 50 states and Puerto Rico met in Washington, D.C., this week to sort through new policy proposals recommended by members. The results are a report to the voting delegates at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual meeting in January. The content of a new farm bill proposal for delegate consideration took center stage during the recent discussion.

Our resolutions committee “worked very hard to come up with a clear direction,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “That clear direction was established around a program called Systemic Risk Reduction, which is a new policy proposal and a new way of providing a safety net for agriculture in an environment where we will not have as many budget dollars.”

Other issues including dairy policy, regulatory issues, immigration, and wild horses and burros also were discussed at the meeting this week.

Newsline audio story

Season wrap-up

2011-12-19T09:32:00.003-07:00

Input costs take a sharp hike, farmers looking for ways to save money

Boise--Just as Idaho farmers were getting ahead thanks to favorable market prices, input prices could topple the fragile balance between farmer profit and debt.

Farmer Mike Garner of Raft River is weathering the storm. “They’re up significantly everyone knows what fuels done at the pump versus last year. Commodity prices are higher and we’re thankful for that, but it seems we can never get the break we need to make money.”

The United State Department of Agriculture projects that farm expenses this year could top the $286.6 billion, the second highest mark on record while Purdue University Ag economists say that costs are up 13-percent from 2010. Most of the input hikes are coming from skyrocketing fertilizer prices.

Average per-ton fertilizer prices from April to November jumped from $520 to $736 for ammonia, $503 to $661 for diammonium phosphate, and $501 to $526 for potash, according to USDA.

Commodity prices have risen “but when you start looking at input costs, our margins are the same but the risks are exponentially higher,” said Ron Moore, chairman of the Illinois Soybean Association. “Fertilizer prices have gone up 50 percent in our area since last summer.”

Farmers are doing research online and flooding sites with tried and true ways to save money. The University of Nebraska is offering tips to farmers, just as many are buying inputs. They listed 5 ways to hedge against rising input costs:

Prepaid Inputs. Seed, fertilizer, fuel, chemical, and others offer discounts and attractive financing terms for purchases before planting. For fuel, many dealers allow farmers to split price fuel for planting and harvesting and sign contracts for future delivery. Some will give the farm a better price if there is storage for a season’s worth of fuel to be delivered during the off season. Full tanker loads that can be delivered to the farm also may be discounted. Fertilizer dealers may offer some of the same opportunities for early delivery and/or truckload quantities.
Bulk Containers. Buying seed or crop protection chemicals in bulk containers also means lower prices.
Group Purchasing Power. Some farmers are pooling their input purchases to get price breaks. The key is to get a pool large enough to get a quantity discount, such as with tanker loads or bulk containers.
Competitive Pricing. The competition among dealers is getting tighter, it's good to see who can deliver your products at the most competitive price and in a timely manner.
Price Guarantees. With the 2011 crop, locking in input prices will help nail down profit margins. If input prices are unsure, the margins could be much smaller when the crop is actually delivered and sold after harvest. With increasing volatility and more interest in forward marketing, early pricing of inputs is becoming more important to the bottom line.

Just in

2011-12-17T06:42:00.001-07:00

Occupy Protests Hurting Portland Seed Business

Portland-As the Occupy Wall Street movement heats up in America, there is one business that is cooling down—the seed business. Portland-based Smith Seed, a grass seed wholesaler, said it lost more than $10,000 this week when seeds destined for Asia, Europe and South America couldn’t reach the Port of Portland because protesters were blocking the gate.

“I think the occupiers are fast becoming the 1 percent, and the rest of us that are trying to make a living are becoming the 99 percent,” said Galen Troyer, general manager of Smith Seed.

According to Troyer’s calculations, the company lost nearly $6,000 in seed invoices, almost $3,000 in driver wages and another $1,500 in overtime when everything went wrong.

Alvie Shrock, a truck driver for the seed industry, said his haul of 50,000 pounds of hay destined for Korean livestock is now held up in a Portland warehouse. He said he understands the Occupy movement’s frustration with Wall Street and bank bailouts, but not the protesters’ measures of trying to capsize the U.S. free-market system.

“The Constitution gives us the right to the pursuit of happiness,” said Schrock. “It doesn’t guarantee us an iPod or an iPad or a big-screen TV.”

Gazette Times Article

Just in from Washington

2011-12-16T06:35:00.000-07:00

U.S. Ethanol Market Remains Unconcentrated

Washington--The market for fuel ethanol in the United States remains unconcentrated, with 164 firms nationwide either producing ethanol or likely to be in production in the next 12 to 18 months, according to the Federal Trade Commission's 2011 report on the state of U.S. ethanol production.

The FTC report is the agency's seventh annual report on ethanol market concentration. The FTC calculated market concentration for the ethanol production industry using different measures and concluded that as of September 2011, there were only four more ethanol producers in the U.S. than at the time of the FTC's 2010 report. The largest ethanol producer's share of capacity decreased slightly to 11.5 percent of domestic ethanol production capacity—below the 12 percent share in 2010, and remaining below the largest producer's capacity share between 2005 and 2007, which ranged from 26 percent in 2005 to 16 percent in 2007.

The annual FTC reports are required by the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

Just in from Washington

2011-12-15T07:19:00.002-07:00

U.S. Ag Profits Exceed $100 Billion

Washington--Farm profitability is up as U.S. farmers are experiencing one of the best years in decades. According to USDA data, farm profit is expected to reach $100.9 billion this year, while cash-on-hand to pay farm expenditures is also expected to hit the $100 billion mark. Says USDA, it will be the first time that both farm profit and expenditures have done so. Further, crop and livestock sales are expected to make history with crops predicted to exceed $200 billion in sales, while livestock sales increases are predicted to make double-digits.

“We're just experiencing the best of times,” said Bruce Johnson, an agricultural economist at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. “It's a story to tell.”

Illinois corn and soybean farmer Dale Hadden estimates his crops to be worth 10 percent to 15 percent more this year, allowing him to pay off a year’s worth of a seven-year tractor loan. Iowa corn and soybean farmer Jeff Reinking was able to pay on land debt and update his combine to a newer model.

But, not all farmers are having the same luck. Commodity prices were driven up because of drought in parts of the country, say some farmers.

Huffington Post Article

Trade Mission

2011-12-14T09:41:00.003-07:00

The Idaho Farm Bureau's Dennis Brower and an Idaho Trade delegation that included Lt. Governor Brad Little and Celia Gould, Director of the Department of Agriculture, just returned from Mexico. Officials believe the mission resulted in some promising leads.

"This is still part of the dating process," said the Lt. Gov. "We didn't seal any marriages but we did some pretty good dancing."

Just in from Washington

2011-12-14T06:18:00.000-07:00

U.S. Supreme Court to Review Arizona Immigration Law

Washington--The U.S. Supreme Court announced yesterday its plans to hear Arizona’s appeal of a ruling against its immigration law, which, among other things, requires local police to question people they stop about their immigration status.

Responding to a challenge to the Arizona statute by the U.S. Justice Department, the 9^th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the state was interfering with the federal government’s authority over immigration. The court stopped enforcement of parts of the law.

Arizona’s law is considered among the most stringent in the country, but there are other states taking a similar approach and the Supreme Court’s decision will impact them, too.

The U.S. Justice Department has also filed suit against Alabama for its new immigration law, which the federal government says oversteps the state’s minimal authority over immigration. As in Arizona, the Alabama statute requires police to do an immigration status check during traffic stops.

Bloomberg article

Just in

2011-12-13T11:28:00.001-07:00

Senators Want Floor Time for Pesticide Permit Fix

Washington--With new regulations in place as of Nov. 1 that could require farmers to get a Clean Water Act permit for certain pesticide applications, efforts continue to get a legislative fix to eliminate these duplicative permitting requirements resulting from the 2009 National Cotton Council v. Environmental Protection Agency case.

Last week, more than two dozen senators sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) urging them to set aside floor time for a full, open debate on the topic.

“While we recognize that many important legislative items vie for limited floor time, this is a rare opportunity to demonstrate to the American public that Democrats and Republicans are capable of working together to address important issues,” the bipartisan letter said.

The senators noted the House had passed the Farm Bureau-supported Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2011 (H.R. 872), which would amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act and the Clean Water Act to clarify that CWA permits are not needed when a pesticide is applied in accordance with a FIFRA-approved label.

Just in

2011-12-12T06:38:00.001-07:00

Surprise! USDA Report Boosts Corn Supply Forecast

Washington--The Agriculture Department unexpectedly increased its projection for U.S. corn supplies prior to the next harvest and forecast that global production is likely to reach an all-time high next year as larger crops are grown in Canada, China and Europe, according to AgPro Newsletter.

Domestic corn stockpiles at the end of the 2011-12 marketing year in August are expected to total 848 million bushels, USDA reported in its monthly Supply & Demand Report released today.

Estimated supplies are up 0.6 percent from 843 million bushels in a USDA report last month and contrasted with expectations for a decline of about 1.4 percent, to 831 million bushels, based on the average estimate in a survey of 19 analysts conducted by Thomson Reuters. Supplies will be slightly more than expected because of slightly lower food, seed and industrial use, according to USDA.

Just in

2011-12-09T07:02:00.001-07:00

Boise--The Idaho Grower Shippers Association has pledged to donate three potatoes to The Idaho Foodbank for each fan who attends the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 17.

With more than 28,000 fans projected to attend the game, the donation could be more than 84,000 potatoes or 42,000 pounds.

“This is an amazing contribution when it’s most needed,” said Karen Vauk, President and CEO, The Idaho Foodbank. “During the holiday season, our demand is at its highest point of the year. We encourage people in the community to attend the game and drive this amount even higher.”

The donation will be made as a giant trailer load by the Idaho Grower Shippers Association, a nonprofit trade organization with more than 80 members who are engaged in the packing and shipping of Idaho Potatoes.

“We’re delighted to support the Idaho Foodbank and their vital mission while aligning with the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl to showcase a great game on the field,” said Dean Gibson, chairman of the Idaho Grower Shippers Association.

The game is at 3:30 p.m. at Bronco Stadium, featuring the Ohio Bobcats and Utah State Aggies.

Just in

2011-12-08T06:25:00.007-07:00

Wake Island Vets Remembered

Boise--Exactly 70 years ago today marks the attack on Wake Island where hundreds of Idaho construction workers fought shoulder to shoulder with US Marines against elite Japanese forces.

The Boise-based Morrison-Knudsen workers were on Wake building an American outpost in the Pacific when war broke out. Some were killed, many captured and then held as prisoners of war until 1945. On Wednesday afternoon, the workers, living and dead were recognized with a new monument dedicated at Veterans Memorial Park.

After Wake Island was attacked, the construction workers joined U.S. Marines on the island in defense and the island earned the nick-name Alamo of the Pacific. The battle lasted 15 days, followed by years of brutal treatment in POW camps. Many died, including the great-grandfather of the high school sophomore who planned the monument to the brave construction workers.

"They ended up being in a war." Eagle Scout candidate Noah Barnes told the crowd at the ceremony.

When Barnes was tasked with an Eagle Scout project he chose something special, deciding on a sandstone monument honoring Wake Island veterans, funded by local donations and it includes the story of the battle.

"My great grandfather was on the island, and I wanted to do something to recognize them, because they really didn't get any recognition," said Barnes.

"Around here we had a lot of buddies over there, now there's only 7 of us," Goicoechea said.

"It means an awful lot and it shows the respect of our people thats unknown. When we came home from prison camp, hell, nobody knew anything about us," said Wake Island survivor Joe Goicoechea.

Seven decades have passed since the 8th of December attack but for survivors its bitter and fresh.

"It's just like it happened this morning," Goicoechea said. The workers on the Island knew the Japanese had attacked Pearl. It was just a few hours later when they were attacked across the International dateline.

"I can still remember that morning and the noise we heard, we thought it was our planes." Goicoechea said.

So daring, so close that survivors will never forget that moment. "They were low enough, you could see the whites of their eyes. The pilots, when they went by," Gary Rogde said.

"That night. That was the worst night I ever had in my life, I was scared as hell and still shake," Goicoechea said.

Survivors now have a monument in Boise to honor the brave construction workers who held off the Japanese for two weeks giving the American people hope in the days after Pearl Harbor.

"Long past due," Rogde said.

Just in from Washington

2011-12-07T10:45:00.001-07:00

AFBF Urges House to Bite the Dust

WASHINGTON – The American Farm Bureau Federation is urging congressional members to pass H.R. 1633, the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act, when it comes before the full House later this week. In a letter to House members, AFBF said the legislation would limit the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate naturally occurring dust, or “nuisance dust.”

“Naturally occurring dust is a fact of life in rural areas,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “It is raised by such normal activities as driving on unpaved roads and is composed of soil and organic material. The amount of dust in the air depends on wind and rainfall, two conditions that EPA cannot regulate.”

AFBF went further to say that EPA has admitted that it cannot conclusively establish a link between “nuisance dust” and adverse human health effects.

“EPA admits there are limitations to the studies it cites, which casts doubt on its validity to support additional regulation,” said Stallman. “Should such a link be established, the bill would allow EPA to regulate.”

While EPA has said it does not intend to propose stricter regulations on dust, AFBF said that still does not provide much needed assurance for farmers and ranchers, especially when final rules often differ from proposed rules and lawsuits are a dime a dozen.

“Legislation is the best way to provide certainty to farmers, ranchers and rural America that their activities will not be unduly regulated by conditions beyond their control and for substances for which adverse health effects cannot be truly established,” said Stallman.

Just in

2011-12-07T06:30:00.001-07:00

Idaho Beef Summit Scheduled for January In Twin Falls

Twin Falls – Beef producers can learn ways to improve the quality, consistency, and value of their product at the upcoming Idaho Beef Summit, sponsored by the Idaho Beef Council.

University of Idaho animal and meat science faculty and UI Extension faculty, along with other beef industry professionals will conduct the course beginning on the evening of January 5 and concluding at noon at January 7 at the Canyon Springs, Red Lion Hotel in Twin Falls, Idaho. Registration is $50 per person.

The Idaho Beef Summit will feature speakers, hands-on workshops, and demonstrations focusing on beef end product quality. Producers will have the opportunity to learn the “meat” side of the beef industry, according to UI Extension Educator Sarah Baker.

Beef producers will hear from leading industry personnel on understanding and improving beef carcass quality through DNA-based technology, nutrition, and marketing. Leading retailers and chefs will discuss retail and foodservice trends and showcase how consumer preferences affect the bottom lines of beef producers. Attendees will view cutting demos and tour processing facilities to learn about carcass grading, processing, and value added marketing for market and cull beef. The Summit will offer “Meat Science Basics for Ranchers” and updates from industry, check-off, and BQA leaders.

The Summit is intended to benefit Idaho’s beef industry by helping producers continually improve the quality and consistency of their product, making it as competitive as possible with other protein sources available to consumers. “It validates for them that they aren’t just producing calves, they are producing beef,” Baker says.

For more information, or to register, please contact the University of Idaho Extension Office in Custer County at 879-2344 or your local Extension office.

Just in from Washington

2011-12-06T11:36:00.000-07:00

AFBF: DOL Overreaches on Youth Labor Rule

Washington--In official comments to the Labor Department, the American Farm Bureau Federation said the department’s proposed changes to child labor regulations go beyond DOL’s authority and urged the department to “maintain the integrity of the family farm exemption approved by Congress.”

“Farmers and ranchers are more interested than anyone else in assuring the safety of farming operations,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. However, he said, the right of family farms, partnerships and family corporations to operate the farms with family members should not be infringed.

AFBF commented on behalf of a coalition of 70 farm groups as well as in separate comments of its own. The coalition says DOL should withdraw its proposal and ensure it is following congressional intent by only addressing particularly hazardous work. The department is authorized to prevent youths from working in jobs that are “particularly hazardous,” AFBF said, but the regulatory proposal goes well beyond that objective.

AFBF News Release

Just in from Washington

2011-12-06T05:27:00.000-07:00

AFBF Calls for Senate Action on Pesticides Bill

Washington--AFBF and 38 other groups have written to Senate leaders urging them to take action on H.R. 872, a bill to eliminate duplicative regulation of pesticides. The Senate Agriculture Committee passed the bill in June; the House passed it in March.

The groups said in their letter that they believe there are more than 60 senators who would vote for the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act—60 votes being the threshold to end debate and allow a vote on the bill.

The expansion of pesticide permitting requirements is the result of a 6^th Circuit Court decision (National Cotton Council v. EPA) overturning EPA’s 30-year policy that a Clean Water Act permit is not required for pesticide applications authorized under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. Requiring CWA permits results in overlapping regulation of pesticides, according to Farm Bureau and the other groups.

“We believe that the agency’s regulation correctly interpreted congressional intent under the CWA and that Congress needs to take the necessary action to confirm that original intent,” the groups wrote.

Just in from Washington

2011-12-05T06:43:00.000-07:00

Farm Income and Expenses Likely to Set Records

Washington--All indications point to 2011 as a record-setting year for farm income. A new report from the Agriculture Department forecasts that net farm income will top $100 billion for the first time ever.

“That’s one part of the story and production expenses have also increased,” said Matt Erickson, an American Farm Bureau Federation economist. “Net farm income is actually supposed to increase 28 percent this year, but on the other hand, production costs are also supposed to increase,” he noted. Year-over-year, production expenses exceeded $300 billion for the first time and are expected to be at $320 billion, a 12 percent year-over-year increase.

Erickson says high commodity prices, high demand and tight stocks have all added up to the big year, but the USDA report shows it will also be a costly one. Overall expenses for 2011 for the U.S. ag sector are expected to increase by 23 percent for feed costs for livestock producers, 28 percent for fertilizer and 27 percent for fuels. Seed and other miscellaneous costs are up as well. Another area that’s adding up to a big expense for farmers is land, with a 25 percent increase in farmland values—the largest increase since 1970. In northwest Iowa, land values recently reached $16,000 per acre.

Newsline radio story

2011 IFBF Convention Wrap-up

2011-12-02T15:30:00.002-07:00

Susan and Lynn Steadman accept the Presidents Cup at the IFBF Convention in Coeur d'Alene on Wednesday night.

Frank Priestley Reelected Idaho Farm Bureau President

COEUR D’ALENE – Delegates at the 72nd Annual Idaho Farm Bureau Convention reelected Frank Priestley to serve an 8th consecutive two-year term as President of Idaho’s largest general farm organization.

“It’s an honor and I’m humbled to serve another term as President,” Priestley said. “I want to thank all the members for their support. Now it’s back to work to address the complex issues that concern the farmers of this state.”

Priestley has served at various leadership levels in the organization for over 30 years and has also served on the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Board of Directors. He raises alfalfa and dairy heifers on his farm in Franklin County.

At the Annual Meeting Banquet at the Coeur d’Alene Resort, Lynn and Susan Steadman of Raft River were awarded the IFBF President’s Cup for their contribution to agriculture through the decades. Steadman served on county, state and national advisory boards before his election as IFBF Vice President. In their years of service the Steadman’s emerged as leaders at every level of Farm Bureau involvement, starting back in 1982 when they were first honored as outstanding Young Farmers & Ranchers members.

“I’ve served locally, nationally and I’ve greatly enjoyed our Farm Bureau activities,” Steadman said. “We made great friends along the way not only in our county but throughout the state and across the country. We greatly treasure those friendships and always will.”

The IFBF Women’s Leadership Committee recognizes volunteers at the Annual Meeting and selects a Woman of the Year from each of five districts. The women are singled out for their volunteer efforts and accomplishments in their respective districts. The five women selected this year are Shirley Barrie of Bonneville County, Julia Phillips of Bingham County, Ilean Bruns of Twin Falls County, Sherry Colyer of Owyhee County, and Sandy Daniel of Boundary County. The five women were profiled in a special video that was shown during the IFBF Annual Banquet.

Jake Andersen of Power County won this year’s Young Farmer and Rancher Discussion Meet. Andersen took home a new Polaris Trail Boss four-wheeler for his efforts. Duke Mumford of Franklin County won the Excellence in Agriculture Award and received a new laptop computer. Greg and Gwen Andersen of Power County won the Achiever Award, and a new Polaris Ranger side by side. The winners of all three Young Farmer and Rancher awards also receive an all-expense paid trip to Honolulu, Hawaii in January where they will compete against their peers from across the nation.

Also during the annual meeting IFBF members attended educational workshops on social networking, direct marketing, farm safety, market outlook, labor and immigration reform, the Idaho One plan and Robert Blair, a farmer from Kendrick who was named an Eisenhower Fellow this year reported on a recent trip to Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. The banquet keynote speaker was rancher Wanda Blair of South Dakota who easily lived up to her billing of “Giving the Gift of Laughter.”

Mark Trupp of Teton County was reelected as IFBF Vice President. Reelected to the IFBF State Board of Directors were Bryan Searle of Shelley, Curt Krantz, Notus, Danny Ferguson, Rigby, Gerald Marchant, Oakley and Marjorie French of Princeton. Cody Chandler of Weiser was elected chair of the IFBF Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee.

The Idaho Farm Bureau is the largest general farm organization in the state. Find more information at www.idahofb.org.

Just in from Washington

2011-12-02T06:52:00.002-07:00

Dust Legislation Advances in House

Washington--The House Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesday passed H.R. 1633, the Farm Dust Prevention Act of 2011, with bipartisan support on a 33-16 vote. The bill prevents the Environmental Protection Agency from changing its current standard for coarse particulate matter for one year and exempts “nuisance dust” from federal regulation where such dust is already regulated under state, tribal or local law.

Farm Bureau and more than185 other organizationssupport the legislation.

House Energy and Commerce Committee news release

Farm Futures article

Idaho Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, Coeur d'Alene

2011-12-01T10:35:00.002-07:00

Idaho Farm Bureau's Frank Priestley Reelected President

Coeur d'Alene--Idaho Farm Bureau President Frank Priestley was re-elected President of Idaho's largest Farm organization. Priestley has served as the organization's president for more than a decade.

"I'm happy and honored, I love this organization," he told a crowded House of Delegates Thursday morning.

Idaho Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, Coeur d'Alene

2011-11-30T21:39:00.003-07:00

Steadman's Awarded the President's Cup

Coeur d'Alene-Susan and Lynn Steadman were award the Idaho Farm Bureau's highest honor:

The President's Cup. The Steadman's joined Farm Bureau back in the early 80's, in 1982 they were first honored as Outstanding Young Farmers and Ranchers.

A respectful and hushed crowd listened intently as President Frank Priestley made the President's Cup announcement. When the Steadman's were the announced winners, all 300 members in attendance burst into a standing ovation.

"Some of my dearst friends are Farm Bureau members," a chocked up Steadman, whispered into the microphone. "I have so many friends here tonight."

Rick Keller of the Farm Bureau has known the Steadman's since the early days of Farm Bureau. He recalls when the couple first served in Young Farmers & Ranchers that they gravitated to shy, new members. "They were inclusive, anyone standing by themselves they would go over to them embrace them and bring them in."

Lynn Steadman has the distinction of holding leadership positions at every level of the Farm Bureau, starting with the YF&R, The County Board and rising to Vice President. He still serves on the State Resolutions Committee and is still active in his County.

"He's touched everyone in this room," said Idaho Farm Bureau President Frank Priestley. He's has done so much for us through the years, he and Susan, its fitting that he won the Cup tonight."

Idaho Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, Coeur d'Alene

2011-11-30T12:20:00.002-07:00

Clark Johnston gave a seminar on the 2012 Market Outlook, video highlights from his talk! Johnston says there's money to be made, but patience and timing are the keys in 2012.

Idaho Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, Coeur d'Alene

2011-11-30T12:04:00.002-07:00

Gwen and Greg Anderson take home the YF&R Achiever Award and a new Polaris! (Ritter photo)

Idaho Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, Coeur d'Alene

2011-11-30T12:00:00.003-07:00

Jake Anderson of Power County wins the IFBF State Discussion Meet, at The Idaho Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Coeur d'Alene. (Ritter photo)

72nd Annual Convention Underway in Coeur d'Alene

2011-11-29T19:27:00.004-07:00

New Caribou County President Ready for Challenges

Coeur d'Alene--Caribou County President Lori Anne Lau is making her first trip to the Farm Bureau Annual Meeting as a President. The 10 year board member took over the reins of CCFB earlier this year. The Farm Bureau's Jake Putnam caught up with her and Caribou County member Tracy Lakey:

FB: Are you excited to be at the Idaho Farm Bureau Annual Meeting?

Lau:This is my first Annual Meeting as a President.

FB:So here you are a new woman President jumping into a House of Delegates meeting with all the other Presidents, are you nervous?

Lau: No, you know this organization is pretty good that way, they treat you right and equal. Ive felt very welcome, but no problems being a woman, Ive been to the House of Delegates and the fact that I might wear a skirt sometimes is no problem.

FB:What issues are you tracking?

Lau: Nothing too monumental, but there are a few healthcare resolutions that Im following, one of which was tabled. Caribou County did make a resolution dealing with the possibility of the s of a mileage tax, we get taxed extra depending on how many miles we drive, we get taxed plenty already, plus we pay fuel tax already.

FB:Other issues out there of note like brucellosis, tracking anything like that on the radar screen?

Lau:We are as producers, but our County is not dealing with that right now. A couple of years ago when we were trying to figure out what the new plan was going to be we were engaged, because there was a plan to divide the state and we thought that was a horrid idea. I think the current system seems to be working well, we've been watching the elk situation but the current master plan is working well.

FB:Tracy Lakey of Lakey Farms, what issues are you following here at the convention:

Im here learning, so not watching anything particularly...

Lakey:

I'm more interested in the Social Networking workshop, It's the way of the future all politics will eventually flow through social networks. I think you can fight it and stay in the dark or get online and get informed.

FB:Farm Bureau is old school politics from the ground up, your thoughts being here and being involved.

Lau: In the past I have been involved in other organizations and I felt like, because I wasn’t involved in a long-standing family or from a big enough operation or we were too weird that we didn't have a seat at the table. The Farm Bureau and Caribou County has welcomed me 10 years ago and every time I've showed up here at convention or the House of Delegates that I get a chance to speak my mind and sometimes they all agree with me and sometimes they don’t. Its been nice, and anyone that chooses to be active can have a powerful voice.

Lakey: I agree completely. You don’t have to be somebody, you can just be yourself, speak your mind and have a say, its nice to know that you have that.

72nd Annual Convention Underway in Coeur d'Alene

2011-11-29T13:09:00.002-07:00

Coeur d'Alene--The 72nd Annual Meeting of the Idaho Farm Bureau kicked off at the Coeur d'Alene resort this morning with registration and a full slate of workshops and speakers.

"It's always great to see everyone again," said Idaho Farm Bureau President Frank Priestley. "We have some excellent workshops and we love the opportunity of giving the members the not only the chance to learn, but to grow."

The list of workshops included everything from Social Networking to Direct Marketing, to Farm Safety and the Idaho One plan.

Just in from Washington

2011-11-28T11:18:00.001-07:00

Research Shows Global Food Demand Could Double by 2050

New research by the University of Minnesota shows that global food demand could double by 2050, while producing that amount of food could significantly increase levels of carbon dioxide and nitrogen in the environment and cause the extinction of numerous species.

But the research points out that this can be avoided if the high-yielding technologies of rich nations are adapted to work in poor nations, and if all nations use nitrogen fertilizers more efficiently.

The research reveals that if poor nations continue current practices, they will clear a land area larger than the United States (two and a half billion acres) by 2050. But if richer nations help poorer nations improve yields to achievable levels, that could be reduced to half a billion acres.

Idaho Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, Coeur d'Alene

2011-11-28T07:13:00.002-07:00

Join us at the:

Ice Cream Social
Category: State Conference
11/28/2011
Coeur d'Alene Resort

Ice Cream Social for Annual Meeting attendees.
Date: November 28, 2011
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Place: Coeur d'Alene Resort

Just in from Washington

2011-11-25T09:36:00.001-07:00

Farm Bill Returns to More Deliberative Process

The failure of the 12-member congressional supercommittee to reach agreement on how to achieve $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction has stopped further “fast track” consideration of the 2012 farm bill.

House and Senate Agriculture Committee chairs, Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) and Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), have indicated that work on the new farm bill will now return to their respective committees for further discussion under a more deliberative process than was not possible under the time constraints imposed on the supercommittee.

“We understand this return to what some are calling ‘regular order’ for fashioning the farm bill will include a careful evaluation of the policy decisions reached under the ‘fast track’ process, including those titles and provisions that were simply reauthorized with no changes from current law,” explained Mary Kay Thatcher, American Farm Bureau Federation farm bill specialist. “However, both chairs have been careful to give no indication on timing or process, other than to assure all interested parties they will be evaluating the work done to date and determining how best to proceed.”

Regardless of whether discussions on farm programs return to current law as the starting point or begin from the “fast track” version, AFBF will be conducting expanded analyses on the Systemic Risk Reduction Program (SRRP) to provide a full, factual comparison with other proposals, such as those included in the language provided to the supercommittee. AFBF also will be working to ensure all its farm bill priorities are well-prepped and provided to the committees and their members well in advance of their decision process.

Delta Farm Press article

Just in from Washington

2011-11-23T08:00:00.001-07:00

EPA’s Crushing Regulatory Burdens Threaten Family Farms

Washington--In just the last three years, the Environmental Protection Agency has set in motion a significant number of new regulations that will significantly change the face of agriculture. The coming changes threaten the continued operation of family farms and ranches, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Testifying Thursday on behalf of AFBF before the House Small Business Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy and Trade, Carl Shaffer, president of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, said EPA proposals to exert greater regulatory control over agriculture will drive up the cost of producing food, fiber and fuel.

“EPA proposals are overwhelming to farmers and ranchers and are creating a cascade of costly requirements that are likely to drive individual farmers to the tipping point,” Shaffer said. “The overwhelming number of proposed regulations on the nation’s food system is unprecedented and promises profound effects on both the structure and competitiveness of all of agriculture.

“In contrast to EPA’s heavy-handed approach of issuing crushing regulatory burdens, agriculture and the Agriculture Department have worked together over the last few decades to make enormous strides in agriculture’s environmental performance by adopting a range of conservation practices and environmental measures,” Shaffer said.

Philip Nelson, president of Illinois Farm Bureau, also testified at the hearing on behalf of farmers and ranchers in his state. He testified to the subcommittee regarding a new regulation, the Pesticide General Permit, that went into effect Nov. 1. “This new permit is a needless duplication of existing law. We do not need this entirely new permit program,” Nelson said, noting that the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act has covered pesticide labeling and application very effectively since 1947.

AFBF news release AFBF Newsline

Just in

2011-11-22T06:16:00.002-07:00

Classic Thanksgiving Dinner Costing More in 2011

Washington--The retail cost of menu items for a classic Thanksgiving dinner including turkey, stuffing, cranberries, pumpkin pie and all the basic trimmings increased about 13 percent this year, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

AFBF’s 26th annual informal price survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table indicates the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 is $49.20, a $5.73 price increase from last year’s average of $43.47.

“The cost of this year’s meal remains a bargain, at just under $5 per person,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman, a rice and cattle producer from Texas. “The quality and variety of food produced for our dinner tables on America’s diverse farms and ranches sets us apart from our contemporaries around the world. It is an honor for our farm and ranch families to produce the food from our nation’s land for family Thanksgiving celebrations.”

The AFBF survey shopping list includes turkey, bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a relish tray of carrots and celery, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and beverages of coffee and milk, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10. There is also plenty for leftovers.

The big ticket item—a 16-pound turkey—came in at $21.57 this year. That was roughly $1.35 per pound, an increase of about 25 cents per pound, or a total of $3.91 per whole turkey, compared to 2010. The whole bird was the biggest contributor to the final total, showing the largest price increase compared to last year.

AFBF news release

Annual Banquets

2011-11-21T06:58:00.000-07:00

Gem County Annual Banquet a hit!

By Steve Ritter

Emmett--Gem County Farm Bureau members gathered Friday night in Emmett for the annual county banquet. President Vaughn Jensen welcomed about seventy people to the ham and roast beef dinner provided by Timbers catering of Emmett. Honored as "Gems" of Gem County this year were three county residents that combined have lived in the county for 222 years. Pictured left to right..Al Moses, Phyllis Houtz and Bob Benson.

Just in

2011-11-18T07:33:00.003-07:00

Ranchers restore fish habitat in Pahsimeroi Valley with help from multiple agencies

By Steve Stuebner

Rancher Jim Martiny remembers his grandmother talking about the loud noise made by salmon spawning in the creek next to their ranch. Legend had it that Native Americans had speared salmon in the area as well. Clearly, Big Springs Creek had a strong history of supporting strong fish populations.

"She said it sounded like horses crossing the creek, there were so many of them," said Jim Martiny, a fourth-gen- eration rancher in the Pahsimeroi Valley.

Chinook salmon return to Big Springs Creek for the first time in decades to spawn a new generation of wild fish. Photo courtesy Idaho Fish & Game

For the last 100 years, however, Big Springs Creek (also known as Pat- terson/Big Springs Creek) has been dried up in drought years during spawning season because ranch- ers diverted water (as per decreed water rights) to raise hay and other crops. After years of creative work, the Custer Soil & Water Conserva- tion District and the Idaho Depart- ment of Fish and Game, among other agencies, have worked with ranchers to restore water flows to Big Springs Creek.

"Now, the fish are back," Martiny says, standing by the flowing stream. "It's a pretty cool deal. It took a lot of effort from a lot of different people to get them back. But it's a huge success story."

In the summer of 2009, a major irrigation canal known as the P-9 Ditch was closed and about 10 miles of Big Springs Creek were restored. The fish responded quickly.

"We got 10-20 cubic feet per second of water flow in the creek, and that ended up pulling a whole bunch of chinook salmon in there, something like 68-69 redds that first year," said Eric Leitzinger, fish habitat program coordinator for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. "Pretty amazing."

Fish habitat improvements in the Pahsimeroi Valley are part of endangered salmon and steelhead recovery ef- forts in the Columbia River Basin. Plans focus on increasing fish survival through improving habitat, tweaking hydro system operations, hatchery production and controlling harvest.

More than 75 ranchers have been involved in improving fish habitat in the Upper Salmon River Basin, including the Pahsimeroi Valley area, in the last 15 years. Life on the Range covered a similar story last year, focusing on projects in the Lemhi River Valley. See this web link: http://www.lifeontherange.org/range-stories/upper-salmon- river-basin-model-watershed-project.aspIdaho Department of Fish and Game redd counts (shown in red) show the distribution of salmon spawning beds in the fall of 2009. Below, the old P-9 irrigation ditch.

A big part of the success in the Pahsimeroi Basin is that BPA fish-habitat funds paid for the capital costs of ac- quiring pivot sprinklers for ranchers to convert to pivot irrigation, and another pot of federal money paid for the cost of pumping water uphill to the pivots. With- out those funds, ranchers wouldn't be able to afford such expensive improve- ments to help fish.

Karma Bragg, District Manager of the Custer Soil & Water Conservation District, notes that a high priority of the district is to keep ranchers in production and ensure that there is no net loss in their water rights. "We haven't harmed the ranchers, and we haven't reduced the water that they have available. From our perspective that's good news in addition to having the fish come back," she says.

Bragg and the Custer SWCD have been actively involved with the complex water conversion projects in the Pahsimeroi Val- ley from Day One. It all started in 1994 with Doug Parkinson, owner of Parkinson Seed Farm, whose property is located next to the area where the Pahsimeroi River flows into the Salmon River near Ellis. Parkinson ex- pressed interest in shifting his water diver- sion from the P-9 Ditch in the Pahsimeroi Valley to pumping from the Salmon River. BPA paid for a new pivot sprinkler, and the Idaho Water Resources Board approved the change the point of water diversion.

Up and down the Pahsimeroi Valley, Bragg and others worked with numerous ranch- ers to change their points of diversion from the P-9 ditch to the Pahsimeroi River and convert to pivot irrigation. One by one, the landowners made the switch.

The final leg needed to retire the 12-mile- long P-9 ditch included four main landown- ers, River Valley Ranch, LLC, (Bowles and Lawrence families), Jimmie L. Dowton, Sr., Glenn Elzinga and Chuck and Claudia Charlton, Bragg says. Once the ditch was closed, it breathed life back into Big Springs Creek as well as Muddy Springs Creek and Duck Creek.

"The complexity of the historic irrigation systems, number of landowners, number of partners and funding sources, and the

hurdles crossed to obtain water right trans- The new pivot sprinkler on the Martiny Ranch is increasing hay yields fers made this not only one of the most by 30 percent while using less water, leaving more in the creek for fish.

difficult but also most rewarding projects undertaken by the Custer SWCD," Bragg says. A key aspect of the water-conversion projects was to ensure that the water returned to the creeks would not be diverted by junior water rights holders. Idaho has a water transactions program that's tailor-made for projects like Big Springs Creek, explains Helen Harrington, planning section manager of the Idaho Department of Water Resources.

"The Idaho transactions program looked at keeping water in the stream while keeping the water right holder whole," Harrington says. "They changed the point of diversion from the creeks to the Pahsimeroi River and closed off the diversions so the fish could access the habitat all the way up from the Pahsimeroi River. It opened up a huge amount of habitat for them."

By the Martiny Ranch, two flood irrigation ditches that were literally just feet apart were consolidated into one, and a fish screen was in- stalled to keep resident and ocean-going fish out of the ditch. The landowners who participated in that project included Martiny, Kent Moen, Scott Whitworth and George Santee.

Martiny says the efficiency of sprinkler irrigation has increased his hay produc- tion by 30 percent. "We're raising as much as hay as we ever did, if not more, and we're doing it with less water," he says. "So that puts more water in the stream for the fish, and it doesn't take anything away from us. So it's a kind of win-win situation."

Ranchers now draw irrigation water from the Pahsimeroi River, which has plenty of flows throughout the growing season. This photo was taken in a new public fishing area managed by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

In the summer of 2011, four bridges were installed near Martiny's home to replace old culverts that posed a bar- rier to fish passage. That means more fish can spawn upriver, a goal of Idaho Fish and game. Each new redd, or salmon spawning area, is typically seeded with 4 to 5,000 eggs. New spawning areas should increase salmon populations. That's good news for Idaho anglers.

"We'd like to see enough fish coming back to fully fill the hatchery, fully seed the habitat and have a surplus available for sport fish- ing," says Leitzinger of IDFG.

Idaho Fish and Game has been a key player in the Pahsimeroi Basin, installing more than 20 irrigation screens to keep fish in the creeks and rivers. Many miles of buck fence have been built along the Pahsimeroi River and Big Springs Creek to protect spawning beds.

Anglers flock to the Salmon River during a recent salmon fishing season. Efforts to restore salmon and steelhead habitat in the Upper Salmon Basin is expected to increase fish populations and lead to more fishing seasons.

"Through better spawning habitat up here, the survival rates are higher," Martiny says. "The last couple of years they've had a salmon season in the river, hundreds of people come up and fish for the salmon, so it wins for them, it wins for the people in town, economically it's a good deal. It's just a real good project."

All of the water conversions and fish-habitat improvements have been voluntary, Bragg notes, but because the salmon spawning areas lie adjacent to private ranchland, she thinks it's wise for ranchers to be proactive.

"There are environmental laws out there to protect endangered species and there's bull trout in the system as well so we believe that moving ahead with these projects ahead of a take issue or an environmental issue is a protection for landowners, and I think the ranchers see that," she says.

"None of this could be done without the help and cooperation of the landowners," adds Leitzinger. "They've been really good to work with. Stay tuned, hopefully there's more to come in the future."

Idaho Fish and Game hopes to restore more fish habitat and rebuilt fish populations in the upper Pahsimeroi River Basin.

Steve Stuebner is a writer and producer for Life on the Range. www.lifeontherange.org,

Just in from Washington

2011-11-18T06:20:00.000-07:00

Sales of ‘Local Foods’ Totals $4.8 Billion in 2008

Washington--A new USDA report reveals that sales of “local foods” totaled $4.8 billion in 2008, which is several times greater than earlier estimates. USDA predicts sales of local foods will total $7 billion this year.

The USDA report shows that the local food movement is dominated by fruit and vegetable growers. The report points out that 40 percent of vegetable, fruit and nut farms sell their products in local and regional markets, compared to 5 percent of other farms.

Associated Press article

Just in from Washington

2011-11-17T06:19:00.000-07:00

USDA Targets $410.7 Million for Rural Broadband

Washington--The Agriculture Department announced on Monday funding for telephone utilities to build, expand and improve broadband in their rural service territories across 15 states. The announcement was made on Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack’s behalf by USDA Rural Utilities Service Deputy Administrator Jessica Zufolo during an address at the annual meeting of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners in St. Louis, Mo.

The awardees will receive $410.7 million in funding, contingent on the recipient meeting the terms of the agreement with USDA.

USDA news release

Just in from Washington

2011-11-16T13:16:00.000-07:00

AFBF Urges House to Repeal 3 Percent Withholding Tax

Washington--AFBF President Bob Stallman wrote to members of the House today urging prompt passage of H.R. 674 that would repeal the 3 percent withholding tax on government payments for goods and services that is scheduled to begin in 2013.

“The new 3 percent withholding tax will apply to many Department of Agriculture payments including: direct payments; countercyclical support payments; Average Crop Revenue Election, dairy support programs; and conservation programs (Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)),” Stallman wrote. “For example, if a farmer or rancher would receive an $11,000 payment for protecting streams or rivers under the Conservation Reserve Program, $330 would be withheld from the payment.”

Stallman said imposing a withholding on USDA payments will create a financial hardship on farm and ranch operations. “Farm profitability and tax liability fluctuate greatly from year to year due to weather and markets, but the tax will be withheld regardless,” Stallman wrote. “For agricultural operations that end the year without owing taxes, the withholding amounts to an interest-free loan to the government.”

Just in from Washington

2011-11-16T06:02:00.003-07:00

AFBF Supports Clean Water Act Amendment

Washington--In a letter sent to senators on Monday, American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman urged senators to support an amendment introduced by Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wy.) and Dean Heller (R-Nev.) to the Energy and Water “Minibus.”

The amendment would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from finalizing their “Draft Guidance on Identifying Waters Protected by the Clean Water Act” or from fast-tracking a regulation based on the draft guidance

The amendment is expected to reach the Senate floor as early as today or Wednesday.

If enacted, the EPA and Corps guidance would drastically expand federal regulatory authority under the Clean Water Act. The heart of the draft guidance is the agencies’ intent to expand the definition of “waters of the U.S.” to include ditches and other ephemeral features that have water flow only during, and for a short duration after, precipitation events.

“Never in the history of the CWA has federal regulation defined ditches and other upland drainage features as ‘waters of the U.S,’” Stallman wrote. “The draft guidance, if finalized or adopted through rulemaking, would allow the agencies to regulate, among other things, all linear features or similarly situated features that contain ‘standing water’ regardless of the frequency or duration of the ‘flow.’ This is an extremely broad view of the scope of ‘waters of the U.S.’ that would encompass many manmade and natural landscape features not readily recognizable as ‘waters.’”

House, Senate Begin Farm Bill Negotiations

2011-11-15T06:47:00.002-07:00

By John Thompson

U.S. House and Senate conferees are working on a new Farm Bill that would cut $23 billion over ten years to submit to a super committee charged with overall deficit reduction.

With regard to agriculture cuts, areas under consideration include cutting commodity programs by $15 billion, food stamps by $4 billion and conservation programs by $4 billion. Both House and Senate measures call for massive cuts of up to $1 billion to the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). The House bill also includes a provision prohibiting the rulemaking process of the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Act (GIPSA), while the Senate bill eliminates direct payments to farms with an average adjusted gross income in excess of $1 million.

The budget control act of 2011, passed in August, increased the debt ceiling by $400 billion and requires the federal government to make $917 billion in spending cuts over a ten year period as a first installment. It also created the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction tabbed the “Supercommittee” and charged it with presenting a spending cut package to Congress by November 23. Congress then has until December 23 to act on the plan. If they fail to reach the designated timetable, $1.2 trillion will automatically be cut from discretionary defense and nondefense spending through 2021.

The Supercommittee is charged with finding $1.5 trillion in overall cuts by November 23, which may include: revenue increases, including raising taxes; tax reforms, such as simplifying the tax code and eliminating some tax breaks and loopholes; military spending cuts; and measures to reform and slow the growth of entitlement programs, including Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

If cuts to the CSP program come to fruition, the effect will be felt here in Idaho. Last year the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) funded 202 CSP contracts covering 351,000 acres of forest, crop and pasture land. The program paid out $4 million. Under present rules, CSP payments are capped at $40,000 per year with a total of $200,000 maximum over the five-year contract.

Regarding the House proposal to prohibit GIPSA rulemaking to commence, Wyatt Prescott, executive vice president of the Idaho Cattle Association, said his organization has been working hard to change the Act, making it less burdensome. Prescott said a lot could change over the next few weeks but presently the proposed changes to GIPSA are not acceptable. ICA is opposed to funding the GIPSA rulemaking process.

The American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Farmers Union support moving ahead with GIPSA rulemaking and allowing USDA to act on more than a year’s worth of collecting public comment and studying ways to improve livestock marketing and limiting packer control of livestock.

Prescott said ICA is also concerned about potential cuts to conservation programs, mainly to funding of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). “We want to make sure we maintain the 60/40 livestock split that enables ranchers to be better stewards and to share those costs,” he said. ICA is also watching for any changes in dairy policy that could give dairy producers a competitive advantage in the marketplace with regard to purchasing feed, Prescott added.

AFBF has taken positions on a handful of other measures under consideration. AFBF opposes a provision in the Senate bill regarding the use of funds to provide direct payments to persons or legal entities with an average adjusted gross income (AGI) in excess of $1,000,000. AFBF opposes a provision in the House bill that prevents appropriated funds from being used to provide payments to the Brazil Cotton Institute. AFBF supports the broadband program provision in the House passed bill and the Senate provision that adds $100 million to the Emergency Conservation Program and Watershed Protection Program for expenses resulting from a major disaster designation under the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

Farm Bureau also supports the Senate provision that would allow the U.S. Trade Representative to hire additional counsels for trade enforcement activities, such as filing WTO cases and other trade disputes, and negotiating with our trade partners to eliminate unfair market access restrictions.

Further, Farm Bureau supports the Senate provision that prevents any funds from being used to set maximum limits on the frequency of serving vegetables in school meal programs and opposes the House provision which precludes USDA from providing fee-for-service inspection of horse processing facilities.

The Agriculture Appropriations Bill provides funding for a wide array of federal agricultural programs, mostly within USDA. These programs include: agricultural research; education and extension activities; natural resources conservation programs; food safety, marketing and inspection activities; rural economic and community development activities; telecommunications and electrification assistance; and various export and international activities of the USDA.

Future Farmers in National News

2011-11-15T06:27:00.002-07:00

NY Times: FFA Prospers by Looking Ahead

New York--A New York Times article examines the continued popularity of the Future Farmers of America, even as the total number of U.S. farmers has declined in recent decades. With 500,000 members and more joining daily, FFA is the largest vocational student group in the country. About 45,000 FFA members attended the group’s national convention last month.

“The group has succeeded in part by expanding well beyond agricultural science while also broadening that field to include genetics, logistics, landscape gardening and alternative fuels,” noted the Times.

Just in from Washington

2011-11-14T09:14:00.002-07:00

U.S. Farm Exports Reach Record High in Fiscal 2011

Washington--Farm exports in fiscal year 2011 reached a record high of $137.4 billion—exceeding past highs by $22.5 billion—and supported 1.15 million jobs here at home, according to the Agriculture Department.

“Agriculture continues to bolster our nation’s economy by contributing a trade surplus year after year,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. This year, the surplus hit a record $42.7 billion. And next year looks equally strong for the U.S. agricultural economy, thanks in part to the signing of new trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama, which when fully implemented will add an additional $2.3 billion to the U.S. export total and support nearly 20,000 American jobs.

Strong export performance means higher incomes for farmers and ranchers, more opportunities for small businesses owners, and jobs for those who package, ship and market agricultural products.

USDA news release

For those who served...

2011-11-11T15:34:00.002-07:00

SALUTING VETS

Farm Bureau event honors those who served

BY TAMMY SCARDINO

tscardino@journalnet.com

POCATELLO — Despite the brisk wind and cooler temperatures on Thursday morning, Cpl. Phillip Baldwin, of Fort Hall, received a warm welcome home.

Former members of the military in attendance at the Farm Bureau “Salute to Idaho Veterans” event did not pass up the opportunity to shake the young man’s hand.

“I’m feeling good,” Baldwin said. “I have no complaints.”

The local veteran’s legs were amputated after he stepped on a land mine during his first tour of duty with the U.S. Marine Corps in Afghanistan.

Baldwin indicated that he has been released from the hospital and has already started working with a physical therapist.

“It’s good to see such a high turnout today,” Baldwin commented. “There are a lot of veterans here locally, and they’re good guys.”

Baldwin, who arrived home on Tuesday, said he is learning how to get around just fine with help from his brothers.

“I encounter obstacles, but my brothers just pick up the wheelchair to get me over a small step (if need be),” Baldwin said. “They joke that it’s a good thing I’m not a big guy, or they might not be so inclined to do so.”

The program kicked off with an invocation and flag ceremony outside of the Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Idaho’s facility which overlooks the Gate City off Tierra Vista Drive.

Inside, James Hughes, the master of ceremonies, greeted the crowd of people, young and old alike.

“Many veterans in this room have stepped away from active duty decades ago, some of them for years and months,” Hughes stated. “Others in the room are in the midst of active duty, and I say thank you to you.”

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited with tenacity and verve by all in the room.

Veterans of war from each era were recognized and honored.

“The intention of Veterans Day is to thank those who are living for their service ... to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated,” said Commander Richard Hollingsworth of the Veterans of Foreign Wars group and President of the Bannock County Veterans Association.

Courage, honor and integrity are three qualities Hollingsworth tacked on to members of the military, past and present, during his speech.

He summed up his war experience by saying: “I watched my friends die in the most horrible ways possible. We shared tears and laughter through bitter trials filled with pain, but I will always remember and hold true to the brotherhood. God bless America and I salute all of you veterans.”

The event coincided with the 236th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Ada County Annual Meeting

2011-11-11T09:48:00.002-07:00

Shane Stevenson talks about Ada County Farm Bureau's ongoing Ag Education projects at the Annual Banquet.

Record crowd turns out for Ada County Annual Banquet

Kuna--A good parking spot was hard to find at Greg Nelson's Peregrine Steak House. More than 200 attended the banquet including Idaho Farm Bureau President Frank Priestley, State lawmakers and former county presidents.

"We had a good year," said Ada County Farm Bureau President Don Sonke. "Our members always turn out in the good years and we've had quite a few now back to back." Sonke told members about on-going Ada County Farm Bureau projects, like the Ag display at Zoo Boise.

"We've had tens of thousands of visits," he said, "We're happy taking Agriculture to the people of Idaho."