Agriculture Archives

Rigby man killed in tractor accident

November 15, 2024 5:16 PM Curtis Jackson

A Rigby man was killed in a farming accident west of Ririe Friday afternoon.…

New water agreement officially completed

November 14, 2024 4:38 PM News Team

Governor Brad Little, Lt. Governor Scott Bedke, and farmers across Idaho are celebrating the final completion of a new water agreement that protects…

Gov. Little’s trade mission to Taiwan and Japan strengthens trade opportunities for Idaho

November 14, 2024 3:31 PM News Team

Governor Brad Little returned this past weekend from a productive seven-day trade mission to Taiwan and…

U.S. Senators introduce act to combat non-dairy product mislabeling

September 18, 2024 11:23 AM Noah Farley

The Act requires non-dairy products made from nuts, plants, seeds, and algae to not be mislabeled with dairy…

Idaho’s water future – Governor commits more funding to preserving eastern Snake Plain aquifer

August 27, 2024 4:12 PM Seth Ratliff

Idaho’s Governor is committing another $10-million to projects designed to improve the Eastern Snake Plain aquifer. Governor Brad Little announced…

Water curtailment: Why Frank VanderSloot has joined the conversation

July 8, 2024 11:02 PM Todd Kunz

“The farmers in our area desperately need your support.” – Frank…

Water curtailment: Will the governor intervene?

June 17, 2024 4:08 PM Ashley Chilcutt

The Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce along with the Bonneville County Commissioner’s Office, are calling on Governor Brad Little to step in…

Blackfoot farmer expresses concern about water curtailment

June 15, 2024 9:24 AM Cole Sams

For generations, Brian Murdock and his ancestors have been farmers in Bingham County, where they have grown the potatoes that we eat every…

HPAI detected in Idaho dairy herd

March 28, 2024 5:26 PM News Team

These are the first cases of HPAI in a livestock operation in Idaho.…

National Ag Day highlights why agriculture in Idaho is important, ways to support farmers

March 19, 2024 5:17 PM Ashley Chilcutt

The temperatures are warming, and the snow is melting…

Small Idaho farms struggle to survive

February 15, 2024 10:44 PM Sam Gelfand

MENAN, Idaho (KIFI) – Even as snow dusts the plains of Menan, its farmers are still hard at work. Jordon Raymond grows corn and hay across 900 acres…

Eastern Idaho Ag Expo draws in hundreds

January 18, 2024 11:26 AM Noah Farley

“[They are] better for the environment, but better for the farmers as well. Electric powered equipment is very…

States that produce the most greenhouse emissions from agriculture

January 3, 2024 11:41 PM Stacker

Findbusinesses4sale used Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Agriculture data to explore emissions from agriculture across the…

Idaho Ag sees record sales of four top commodities, a report says

December 21, 2023 2:51 PM Noah Farley

Idaho’s top commodity, dairy, saw an 18% revenue drop in…

How Idaho’s low revenue is affecting farmers

October 30, 2023 11:08 AM Kailey Galaviz

Some farmers may have to adjust their budgets after this year’s…

Idaho agriculture revenue is down this year

October 27, 2023 4:15 PM Ashley Chilcutt

Idaho is an agricultural state, leading the nation in potato, wheat, barley, hay, and…

How did this year’s potato harvest shape up?

October 11, 2023 11:41 AM Kailey Galaviz

This year’s potato harvest was expected to be plentiful according to early reports. But could the weather have affected the quality and quantity of…

Controversy continues about Yellowstone Safari Park in Madison County

October 4, 2023 11:33 AM Braydon Wilson

It’s been two years in the making, but Yellowstone Safari Park the controversial game ranch in Madison County has opened their doors to the public.…

Recent weather affecting harvest season

October 3, 2023 11:50 AM Kailey Galaviz

Recent rain and cold temperatures have posed difficult conditions for local farmers trying to harvest their…

Here’s why farmers aren’t included in the US monthly jobs report

September 2, 2023 10:34 AM CNN Newsource

On what is usually the first Friday of every month, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics releases its Employment Situation Summary, or monthly jobs…

Idaho Potato Commission excited for record in US potato exports

August 24, 2023 11:50 AM Evan Thomason

Potatoes USA has reported US exports have hit a record high in volume and value. …

Rigby FFA members named as national finalists

August 13, 2023 11:00 AM News Team

The Rigby FFA Chapter had 12 members qualify to compete in the proficiency awards program at the national…

Idaho Organics Week celebrates organic agriculture

July 19, 2023 10:38 AM News Team

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Governor Brad Little has declared July 16-22, 2023, as Idaho Organics Week, a dedicated time to formally acknowledge and…

UI Extension responds to Idaho’s first detection of damaging soilborne cereal virus

July 15, 2023 9:00 AM News Team

Two University of Idaho Extension crop experts are advising area growers to learn the symptoms of a soilborne disease affecting cereals that’s new…

Bingham farmer concerned about possible water curtailment

June 10, 2023 11:31 AM Seth Ratliff

Adam Young grew up on his family’s farm outside of Blackfoot and now he helps run it.…

April showers have brought May flowers as gardeners are back out

May 12, 2023 11:04 AM Evan Thomason

Many were back out at their local garden centers this week to pick many plants, fruits, seeds, shrubs, and…

East Idaho farmers concerned about possible groundwater curtailments

May 5, 2023 6:16 PM Stephanie Lucas

East Idaho farmers have concerns about possible water use restrictions.…

Smoke exposure linked to smaller, misshapen potatoes, according to U of I, BSU study

March 26, 2023 8:00 AM News Team

Potato plants exposed to extreme smoke produced lower marketable yields than smoke-free plants, according to preliminary data from a joint University…

America’s favorite vegetable making economical impacts

March 15, 2023 10:14 AM Kailey Galaviz

Potatoes are America’s favorite vegetable. Here’s…

People are looking for own source of eggs

March 10, 2023 5:44 PM Evan Thomason

As egg prices across many grocery stores are soaring, many people are looking for their own supply of…

Why egg prices are starting to decline

February 15, 2023 1:55 AM Kailey Galaviz

After months of skyrocketed grocery egg prices, shoppers are finally starting to see…

2023 Specialty Crop Grant application period open

February 4, 2023 9:00 AM News Team

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture announced the application period for 2023 Specialty Crop Block Grants is now open.…

Participation is down 40% in this agricultural program that protects wildlife, water, and soil

February 1, 2023 11:41 PM Stacker

Thistle compiled data from the Farm Service Agency to examine how enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program has changed over time and why…

Potato retail sales on the rise

February 2, 2023 10:35 AM News Team

Potato retail sales increased in dollar sales by 17.2% but decreased in volume sales by -1.3% from October to December 2022 compared to the same…

Agricultural innovation on display at Pocatello Potato School

January 18, 2023 11:53 AM Seth Ratliff

The 55th annual Idaho Potato Conference and Eastern Idaho Ag Expo is underway at Idaho State…

Potato farming innovations on display at Spudnik company open house

January 13, 2023 7:11 PM Seth Ratliff

Innovations in potato farming equipment are being made at Spudnik in Blackfoot,…

Idaho Farm and Ranch Succession Planning Course

January 7, 2023 12:00 PM News Team

The 28-lesson course allows producers to work at their own pace to learn the process of succession planning, identify generational goals, start…

Farmers encouraged to keep the stubble during ‘No-Till November’

November 16, 2022 11:34 AM Kailey Galaviz

The Natural Resources Conservation Service is encouraging Idaho farmers to ditch the tillage equipment during ‘No-Till…

Farmers encouraged to keep the stubble during ‘No-Till November’

November 3, 2022 11:15 AM News Team

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is encouraging Idaho farmers to keep the tillage equipment in the machine shed during No-Till…

Visualizing three decades of animal agriculture emissions in the US

October 11, 2022 11:41 PM Stacker

Thistle analyzed 30 years of livestock emissions data from the Environmental Protection Agency to unpack how agriculture has contributed to…

Health advisory issued for Henrys Lake; avoid contact with harmful algal cyanobacterial blooms

October 7, 2022 4:36 PM News Team

The Division of Public Health in the Department of Health and Welfare has issued a health advisory for Henrys Lake in Fremont…

Now potatoes are out of the ground, what happens next?

October 4, 2022 2:56 PM Braydon Wilson

The potato harvest is underway and already famers are predicting a lower harvest than what we saw last year. Right now potatoes are already out of…

This year’s potato harvest is going “very well”

October 3, 2022 11:30 AM Kailey Galaviz

This year’s potato crop is bringing great quality according to one local…

Local first responders remind us to keep an extra eye out when driving during harvest season

September 28, 2022 10:25 AM Braydon Wilson

After a recent accident involving a combine and automobile in Shelley first responders are reminding us to be extra careful while on the road this…

Fall plant preparations

September 21, 2022 5:54 PM Evan Thomason

It is a crucial time to prepare our outdoor plants for the…

Scientists track how huckleberries fare in changing climate

September 19, 2022 10:08 AM Associated Press

Huckleberries are highly sought after, but the coveted mountain fruit was difficult to find across much of northern Idaho and eastern Washington this…

Wildfire smoke’s influence on potato cropsunder study

September 17, 2022 9:00 AM News Team

A two-year study by Boise State University and University of Idaho probes how wildfire smoke affects potato crops and seeks to identify…

One-of-a-kind glow in the dark pumpkins grown at farm

September 12, 2022 11:35 AM CNN Newsource

Dusty Smith, owner of Smith’s Farms in Bowersville, Georgia, has been in the business of farming with specific interest in growing pumpkins for 16…

Local 6-generation family farm earns state-wide recognition

August 26, 2022 5:34 PM Seth Ratliff

Life on the family farm has nearly disappeared across some parts of…

American farmers are killing their own crops and selling cows because of extreme drought

August 18, 2022 12:51 AM CNN

By Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Business Nearly three quarters of US farmers say this year’s drought is hurting their harvest — with…

U of I researcher drums up success as scientist through music

August 13, 2022 10:00 AM News Team

Pam Hutchinson draws a parallel between identifying weeds in a potato field and wowing a crowd with a drum…

Idaho Farm Bureau discusses increase in farming costs

July 10, 2022 10:07 AM Cole Sams

For our farmers here in Idaho, the cost to due business is not what it used to…

Potatoes exported to Mexico for first time in 25 years

May 12, 2022 5:53 PM News Team

Fresh potatoes are once again being allowed to be exported to Mexico from the United…

Cheatgrass Challenge works to defend natural habitats

May 6, 2022 12:34 PM Evan Thomason

Several federal agencies including Idaho Rangeland Resources Commission are working to combat cheatgrass from harming natural plant…

Curtailment order issued for some ground water users in Snake River Plain

May 6, 2022 1:18 PM Evan Thomason

Junior ground water users for the Snake River Plain will soon be subject to curtailment which means they could be without water for all of this…

Planet-warming emissions from cow burps have been seen from space

April 30, 2022 8:43 AM CNN Newsource

Methane emissions burped up by cows have been observed from…

Avian flu causes nation wide egg shortage, local farmer says thankfully all is well

April 25, 2022 2:18 PM Braydon Wilson

Ben Carlos and his family run the small family farm in St. Anthony called Black Bear Family Farms. As a farmer with Chickens and Turkeys our favorite…

FBI warns farmers to be on lookout for potential hackers

April 21, 2022 5:27 PM News Team

The FBI is warning farmers to be on the lookout for potential…

Inflation starting to affect the farming process

March 16, 2022 5:58 PM Braydon Wilson

the managing partner for Mickelson farms says that unfortunately rising prices does not nearly mean as much goes back to the farmers. “As food…

Students celebrate FFA Week by driving tractors into school

February 24, 2022 3:08 PM Seth Ratliff

Students at Rigby High School arrived in style…

Farming production and costs down, but total revenue up in Idaho

February 22, 2022 8:25 AM Cole Sams

2021 was an historic year for our local…

Specialty Crop Grant applications now open

February 16, 2022 10:54 AM News Team

The Specialty Crop Grant application period with the Idaho State Department of Agriculture is now…

Most valuable crops grown in Idaho

February 3, 2022 6:33 PM Stacker

Stacker compiled a list of the most valuable crops produced in Idaho using data from the U.S. Department of…

54th annual Idaho Potato Conference

January 20, 2022 6:06 PM Cole Sams

The latest innovations in potato production are making their way through…

Idaho farmers begin applying for permits to grow hemp

November 17, 2021 3:18 PM Associated Press

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture launched its online application system for would-be hemp growers early last week, and applications are…

Fewer crops—like onions: How climate change has affected Idaho

November 11, 2021 6:33 PM Stacker

Stacker investigated how climate change has impacted Idaho using data from a variety of news, historical, and governmental…

20 starter houseplants anyone can keep alive

October 21, 2021 11:41 PM Stacker

From pretty flowering plants to succulents and unusual-looking cacti, Stacker compiled a list of indoor plants anyone can grow at home without any…

This might just look like grass, but it has the power to absorb a load of our carbon emissions

October 22, 2021 6:35 AM CNN

By Lauren Kent, CNN Photographs by Li-Lian Ahlskog Hou, CNN Forests have long been celebrated as the natural heroes in the fight against the climate…

20 tips to help your houseplants survive the winter

October 21, 2021 11:42 PM Stacker

Stacker used a variety of home and gardening resources to compile a list of 20 winter plant care tips to help through the colder…

Potato harvest is in and the results are positive

October 20, 2021 5:59 PM Bill Cummings

Even with our hot, dry and smoky summer the potatoes are in the cellar and the harvest looks good.…

Idaho Farm Bureau reports drop in production

October 4, 2021 6:04 PM Cole Sams

The drought and other weather conditions significantly impacted this year’s grain…

US potato imports increase

August 24, 2021 4:46 PM News Team

Potato imports are continuing to…

Huckleberry secrets revealed

August 18, 2021 10:33 AM Bill Cummings

Ron Patterson with the Idaho State University Agricultural Extension office to show us some tips to finding the berries and others to avoid.…

West Nile Virus found in Bingham County Mosquito pool

August 13, 2021 9:37 AM News Team

The Bingham County Abatement District’s mosquito control program, operated by Vector Disease Control International (VDCI), has detected the first…

Rigby FFA members named national finalists

August 12, 2021 3:12 PM News Team

Rigby FFA and Rigby Middle FFA have members who qualified as finalists in the National FFA Organization Agriscience Fair, Proficiency and National…

Lack of precipitation could put Idaho in multi-year drought

August 9, 2021 12:19 PM Emma Iannacone

Idaho could be headed towards a multi-year drought if the state doesn’t receive some much-needed snowpack this…

J.R. Simplot Co. to pay penalty for pesticide safety violation

July 23, 2021 9:12 AM Associated Press

The Environmental Protection Administration has ordered the J.R. Simplot Co. to pay a $65,250 penalty for pesticide safety violations south of the…

Smoke could impact milk production in cows according to U of I professor

July 21, 2021 4:38 PM Rachel Fabbi

In a study conducted by Skibiel and a coworker, they monitored about 20 dairy cattle during last year’s fire season. Focusing on a seven-day stretch…

Farms are wasting 1 billion tons of food. That’s a disaster for the climate

July 21, 2021 8:33 AM CNN Newsource

By Hanna Ziady, CNN Business About 2.5 billion metric tons of food is wasted around the world each year, roughly half of which is lost on farms…

Grazing fees could rise on state-owned land in Idaho

July 20, 2021 3:14 PM Associated Press

Grazing fees for cattle and sheep on state-owned land in Idaho could rise about 50%.…

Expert talks about heat effect on crops

July 15, 2021 2:18 PM Rachel Fabbi

In places where those temperatures are hotter to begin with, the heat may have more of an impact than places like east…

Officials seek input on new grazing rate proposal

July 8, 2021 3:33 PM News Team

Idaho farmers could soon pay a new rate for grazing for the first time since…

Hay swather hit by pickup on US 26; 1 hospitalized

June 28, 2021 9:13 AM Curtis Jackson

Idaho State Police said a hay swather travelling on U.S. 26 was hit from behind by a pickup.…

Rigby implements watering schedule

June 22, 2021 10:32 AM News Team

In an effort to conserve water, the City of Rigby is implementing a watering…

National farm industry leaders to visit Idaho, learn about dams

June 8, 2021 12:35 PM News Team

National farm industry leaders are planning to visit Idaho to learn more about…

Firefighters quickly extinguish sulfur fire in St. Anthony

April 19, 2021 2:44 PM Curtis Jackson

A sulfur fire was quickly doused at the Simplot facility in St. Anthony Monday morning.…

Strike teams armor Idaho ag and mining workers against COVID-19

March 29, 2021 6:44 PM Emma Iannacone

Idaho’s agriculture and mining industries are protecting themselves against the…

Pay It Forward: Growling Garden

March 10, 2021 3:28 PM Todd Kunz

A unique garden where all the work is meant to teach and all the food is meant to feed the community in…

Idaho cow manure pollution bill approved by Senate panel

March 4, 2021 2:27 PM Associated Press

A Senate panel has approved legislation that’s the product of more than 400,000 cows and some 50 million pounds a day of cow manure.…

2020: a good year for potato markets

February 10, 2021 9:24 AM News Team

2020 was a record year for potato sales, according to Potatoes USA, the national potato marketing organization.…

Idaho Potato Conference & Ag Expo goes online

January 13, 2021 12:31 PM Curtis Jackson

Farmers and ag experts usually gather in Pocatello every January to learn about the latest products and research in the ag industry.…

Potato sales show continued growth

January 7, 2021 6:16 PM News Team

More consumers are buying potatoes than they have in the last five years.…

US issues new rules for Idaho potato field quarantines

January 4, 2021 2:41 PM Associated Press

U.S. officials have released a new plan involving methods to deal with a microscopic pest in southeastern Idaho that threatens the state’s…

Potato market reveals pandemic influence

December 21, 2020 11:04 AM News Team

The U.S. Potato market experienced an unusual year. All told, Potatoes USA says there was a 5% decline in the utilization of potatoes grown in the…

Farm Bureau pushes for direct-to-consumer meat sales

December 4, 2020 2:32 PM News Team

The Idaho Farm Bureau will push to enable direct sale of meat from the ranch to consumers.…

Potato markets post record sales

October 22, 2020 3:00 PM News Team

Potato markets continue to post record sales from July through September, posting the highest sales levels in five years. …

Potato harvest going strong

September 28, 2020 5:51 PM Ariel Schroeder

Farmers are hoping this year’s potato harvest will be better than last year.…

Idaho among states receiving unsolicited seed packages from China

July 27, 2020 5:41 PM News Team

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture is warning people who get unsolicated package of seeds in the mail from China to not open…

County fair making plans to move forward

July 1, 2020 12:51 PM Andrew Howe

The Bonneville County Fair will serve as one of the first opportunities the public has had to see the new fairgrounds in Idaho Falls. The event may…

Incoming cold storage facility expected to heat up ag industry

June 22, 2020 4:58 PM Emma Iannacone

The facility is expected to help the local ag industry reach across the nation and into other…