Mexican Craft Brewing is Hopping - AgMinute for September 30, 2013

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Mexico’s growing craft beer industry sent its first delegate to Idaho barley country, as part of a trade team that left Sept. 26 following an overnight visit. Click here for the full story

US & Japan make organic trade - AgMinute for September 27, 2013

The United States and Japan have agreed to make it easier to import each other’s organic products, the latest step in a global effort that could give consumers access to more — and cheaper — organic food. Click here for the full story

Judge rules "The other white meat" is okay - AgMinute for September 26, 2013

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Roadtripping Longshoremen - AgMinute for September 25, 2013

Longshoremen are reaching out to farmers to try to gain support for their position in a labor dispute with several Northwest grain handlers. They've also picketed grain elevators owned by the handlers. Click here for the full story

Organic review faces resistance - AgMinute for September 24, 2013

The National Organic Program changes its procedures for sunset provisions, which it says will increase transparency in determining what substances are allowed on the national list. Opponents say it does the opposite. Click here for the full story

WA, ID in top 3 for western production - AgMinute for September 23, 2013

Washington retained the No. 2 spot in 2012 for total agricultural production among the 11 western states. While Idaho ranks third, it is unchallenged when it comes to farmgate receipts on a per capita basis. Click here for the full story.

Milk prices high and stable - AgMinute for September 20, 2013

The average monthly all-milk price in Idaho through August has been higher and significantly more stable than the past three years. But dairymen say they're more interested in the difference between price and their cost of production. Click here for the full story

Stein and Potatoes — Ag Minute for September 19, 2013

Ben Stein will headline the Potato Expo 2014 in San Antonio. The pop culture icon was an economist at the Department of Commerce, a poverty lawyer, a university adjunct, and a speech writer for presidents Nixon and Ford.

Food stamp savings — AgMinute for Sept. 18, 2013

The House is expected to consider a bill this week that would cut food stamps by an estimated $4 billion annually and allow states to put broad new work requirements in place for recipients.

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Potato growers mashed — AgMinute for Sept. 17, 2013

Potato growers fear new EPA requirements for fumigation may make chemigation of nematicides too difficult to continue. The new rules take effect this fall.

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Seeding organic independence — AgMinute for Sept. 16, 2013

Workshops being held in Idaho, Oregon and Washington are encouraging organic farmers to grow their own seed. The workshops cover the challenges and benefits organic producers face when growing their own seed.

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Eye of the potato — AgMinute for Sept. 13, 2013

The Idaho Potato Commission has new leadership. Dan Moss became chairman on Sept. 1, and Boyd Foster assumed the role of vice chairman. Both raise spuds for the fresh and processing markets.

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Unstoppable COOL — AgMinute for Sept. 12, 2013

The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has denied plaintiffs' request for a preliminary injunction that, if granted, would have blocked the Department of Agriculture from implementing and enforcing its revised country of origin labeling regulations until a lawsuit filed July 8 is concluded.

Read about innovative farmers in Western Innovators, a new Capital Press ebook available on iPad.

A warmer winter is coming — AgMinute for Sept. 11, 2013

Winter temperatures in the Pacific Northwest will increase during the next several decades, and the best climate estimates show “this will be a different place,” according to Nicholas Bond, Washington state climatologist.

Read about more innovative farmers in Western Innovators, a new Capital Press ebook available on iPad.

Idaho truffle shuffle — AgMinute for Sept. 10, 2013

Idaho’s fledgling truffle industry is starting to show signs of promise. Five of the valuable truffles — they fetch from $400 to $1,200 a pound — were found in Paul Beckman’s orchards last year, the first truffles ever discovered in Idaho.

Read about more innovative farmers in Western Innovators, a new Capital Press ebook available on iPad.

Rain and drought — AgMinute for Sept. 9, 2013

Heavy early September moisture has come at an opportune time for southern Idaho agriculture. Most of the region, however, was dryer than normal during August.

EPA delays bacterial agent — AgMinute for Sept. 6, 2013

The release of a biological pesticide effective against a host of pathogens and even potato virus Y has been delayed at least a year by new EPA requirements to evaluate effects of pesticides on beehives.

Exports fail to keep pace — AgMinute for Sept. 5, 2013

Lower U.S. energy prices, a depreciating dollar and more available credit are positive factors for the U.S. agricultural trade outlook in FY 2014, but U.S. ag exports are forecast to slip by $5 billion from FY 2013’s record $140 billion.

Juggling coverage — AgMinute for Sept. 4, 2013

An insurance expert says upcoming health care reforms could lead farmers to drop coverage of their workers.

Milk surveys rise again — AgMinute for Sept. 3, 2013

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service will resume milk production quarterly producer surveys in the new federal fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. NASS suspended the surveys in April of this year to meet the budget reductions required by sequestration.

Fighting over fire blame — AgMinute for Sept. 2, 2013

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack largely defended the federal government's management of national forests amid criticisms that massive buildups of hazardous fuels have added to wildfires' intensity.