New Year spud drop - AgMinute for October 30, 2013

An Idaho group plans to slowly drop a giant, lit-up potato from one of Boise's tallest buildings to ring in the New Year. For more information visit www.capitalpress.com

Pacific Northwest canola wanted - AgMinute for October 29, 2013

Pacific Coast Canola hopes to be 100 percent locally sourced within the next few years. The $120 million Warden, Wash., plant is working to increase farmer awareness of the agronomic benefits of raising canola. Click Here for the full story

Columbia Basin sees tough hay season - AgMinute for October 28, 2013

A leading West Coast hay exporter says the Columbia Basin produced its worst quality Timothy hay in memory because of rain and delay. He says alfalfa wasn't much better. Click here for the full story

Grass-fed beef demand on the rise - AgMinute for October 25, 2013

The USDA has started tracking domestic grass-fed beef prices, which industry organizations anticipate will lead more producers to enter the industry. Click here for the full story

GMO critics rethink strategy - AgMinute for October 24, 2013

Critics of genetically engineering crops are rethinking their strategy in the battle over biotechnology. For more information visit www.capitalpress.com

GMO wheat lawsuits consolidated - AgMinute for October 23, 2013

Class action lawsuits against Monsanto over unauthorized biotech wheat have been consolidated into one case in Kansas City. Click Here for the full story

2 Food companies have eyes on Idaho - AgMinute for October 21, 2013

Two food companies have announced plans to build new operations in southern Idaho, officials have announced. Click here for the full story

House votes to end shutdown - AgMinute for October 18, 2013

Here's how House members voted on the legislation to end the government shutdown. Click here for the full story

Judge orders barge picketing to cease - AgMinute for October 17, 2013

The longshoremen's union has been ordered to stop picketing neutral grain barges on the Columbia and Snake rivers. A federal judge found that the union was unlawfully trying to involve the barge company in its dispute with grain handlers. Click here for the full story

Federal Endangered Species Act takes some heat - AgMinute for October 16, 2013

Representatives of a wide range of interests roundly criticized the Endangered Species Act at a forum led by two members of Congress. Click here for the full story

Shutdown hinders FSA loans - AgMinute for October 15, 2013

The federal government shutdown is being felt more by some ranchers and farmers than others. With FSA offices closed, ranchers hit by the early blizzard in the Great Plains have no where to go to report losses or get advice and producers with FSA loans can't cash checks for the sale of their production without agency endorsement. Click here for the full story

10-year wealth creates ag super cycle - AgMinute for October 14, 2013

A 10-year period of wealth in the U.S. ag sector, particularly in grain production, has led to a super cycle of appreciating commodity and land assets. For more information go to www.capitalpress.com

FFA supporters request funding - AgMinute for October 11, 2013

FFA supporters will ask the 2014 Idaho Legislature for $2.24 million to help maintain and improve the state’s secondary agricultural education programs. Click here for the full story

Idaho barley back on top - AgMinute for October 10, 2013

During a year in which national barley production shrank by 2 percent to 215 million bushels, Idaho increased its crop by 4 percent and reclaimed its former status as the country’s top barely state. Click here for the full story

USDA approves increase in blueberry assessment - AgMinute for October 9, 2013

The USDA has approved an increase in the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council’s assessment, moving it from $12 a ton to $18 a ton beginning with the 2014 crop. Click here for the full story

Conference offers small farm tips - AgMinute for October 8, 2013

The Inland Northwest Small Farms Conference in Spokane Oct. 19 offers a variety of tips for new and small farm operators. Course topics include dealing with nuisance animals, effective irrigation and locations of wells and septic tanks. Small acreage coordinator Pat Munts says the conference may help small producers who are just starting out to make better decisions. Click here for the full story

Washington minimum wage climbs - AgMinute for October 7, 2013

Washington state's minimum wage, the highest in the country, will increase to $9.32 an hour in 2014, a hike of 13 cents. Click here for the full story

Spud research stalled - AgMinute for October 4, 2013

Officials involved with the tri-state potato breeding program say the government shutdown has blocked their efforts to develop new spud varieties. For more information go to www.capitalpress.com

Shutdown impact a matter of time - AgMinute for October 3, 2013

The federal government shutdown causes frustration and inconvenience to agricultural producers in the short term. If it continues for much longer, however, it will have a significant impact on their business decisions and on their pocketbooks. - Click here for the full story

Future US-Mexico spud trades? - AgMinute for October 2, 2013

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has proposed parameters for accepting imports of fresh potatoes from Mexico, representing another step forward in a decade-long effort to fully open fresh spud trade between the two countries. Click here for the full story

Exotic fruit attacking fly reaches Idaho - AgMinute for October 1, 2013

“They’re out there. They’re in the valley,” said Chad Henggeler, field manager for Henggeler Packing Co. in Fruitland, one of Idaho’s largest orchards. “We are very concerned about the situation and we’re … monitoring it all the time.” Click here for the full story