Overcapacity keeps fertilizer prices reasonable - AgMinute for December 30, 2013

Overcapacity in fertilizer production is likely to keep prices reasonable in 2014 compared to the high rates seen in recent years, according to an industry analyst. For more information visit www.capitalpress.com

Rabobank: beef supply tight, cattle prices high - AgMinute for December 27, 2013

High cattle and beef prices to continue in 2014 as beef supplies tighten due to strong global demand and herd rebuilding. Beef supplies are expected to rise only slightly globally and decline sharply in the U.S. Click here for the full story

Onion growers happy FDA will change water rules - AgMinute for December 26, 2013

Idaho and Oregon onion farmers are happy that FDA officials will significantly alter some of their proposed new food safety rules, including one that would require weekly water testing. Click here for the full story

Rabobank: Dairy outlook strong - AgMinute for December 25, 2013

Dairy producers in most exporting countries have stepped up production in response to high milk prices and falling feed costs. China, however, has mopped up those increases, and dairy product and milk prices will remain exceptionally strong at least through the first half of 2014. Several factors are expected to keep a reign on milk supply increases in the U.S., however. Click here for the full story

U.S. lamb industry seeks to re-invent itself - Ag Minute for December 24, 2013

Declining U.S. lamb consumption and competition from overseas have spurred the U.S. lamb industry into action. A collaborative effort among all sectors has identified threats to the industy's future and developed strategies to address the threats and put the industry on a path to viability. Click here for the full story

FDA to revise food safety rules - Ag Minute for December 23, 2013

The Food and Drug Administration says it will revise sweeping new food safety rules proposed earlier this year after farmers complained the rules could hurt business. Click here for the full story

Mini-helicopter will help farmers analyze crops - AgMinute for December 20, 2013

An Idaho researcher is developing an unmanned aerial vehicle that takes multispectral images that farmers can use to determine whether their plants are diseased or suffering water stress or nutrient deficiency. Visit www.capitalpress.com for more information

Beef exports on record pace - AgMinute for December 19, 2013

U.S. beef exports in October kept exports at a record-breaking pace. Beef exports were up 14 percent on a value basis over October 2012 and up 11 percent in value year to date through October. Click here for the full story

2014 outlook bright for beef producers - AgMinute for December 18, 2013

Tightening beef supplies and strong global demand will keep prices high for cattle producers. Improving pasture and range conditions in many cattle-producing areas and lower feed grain prices will incentivize herd rebuilding in 2014. Click here for the full story

Idaho spud prices drop near production cost - AgMinute for December 17, 2013

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Idaho potato prices have dipped near or slightly below the cost of production, but the market appears to have bottomed out and may be poised for an upswing, according to University of Idaho Extension economist Paul Patterson. Click here for the full story

2014 should be better year for dairymen - AgMinute for December 16, 2013

Dairy producers should have a better year ahead with the price of feed grains and hay moderating, but margins will continue to be tight and price volatility will continue to be part of doing business. Click here for the full story

Farm Bureau backs pro-agriculture legislation - AgMinute for December 13, 2013

Lobbyists for the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation plan to be involved in a host of legislative initiatives when the Legislature comes into session next month. Click here for the full story

Farm bill deal unlikely before 2014 - AgMinute for December 12, 2013

Congress remains divided about subsidy mechanisms proposed for new farm bill legislation, but appears closer to a consensus about reducing food stamp spending. Click here for the full story

rBST popularity has dropped - AgMinute for December 10, 2013

An economic study has found that in recent years dairy farmers, particularly larger ones, have discontinued using recombinant bovine somatotropin, or rBST, a synthetic hormone that boosts milk production. Click here for the full story

Wheat Foods Council defends white flour - AgMinute for December 9, 2013

The Wheat Foods Council is defending the health characteristics of enriched grains. The council says enriched grains are responsible for lowering neural tube birth defects and a primary source of folic acid. Council president Judi Adams says enriched grains make an easy target. Click here for the full story

Ethanol from beet-derived sugar - AgMinute for December 6, 2013

BURLEY, Idaho — Pacific Ethanol plants in Burley, Boardman, Ore., and Stockton, Calif., have started making ethanol for the first time utilizing beet-derived sugar. Click here for the full story

Russia is emerging market for Idaho ag - AgMinute for December 5, 2013

Following the state's first trade mission to Russia, Idaho farm leaders and state officials believe the country, with a population of 143 million people, presents a big opportunity for Gem State ag products. Click here for the full story

Officials anticipate more ring rot testing - AgMinute for December 4, 2013

Potato industry officials anticipate much greater interest in winter testing of seed for bacterial ring rot, based on another flare-up of the disease in 2013. Click here for the full story

Opponents blast Brown's tunnel plan on eve of EIR

Opponents of Gov. Jerry Brown's proposal to build tunnels to send water past the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta didn't wait for the project's key environmental documents to emerge before criticizing them.

Water experts, an environmental activist and an attorney for the Californians for a Fair Water Policy said today the tunnels will end up costing Central Valley farmers more than they benefit and that the project isn't environmentally sound. Read more at the Jefferson Journal.

Speakers tout storage at packed water meeting

Northern California farmers, water district officials and other residents packed the Shasta County supervisors' chambers this afternoon to beseech an Assembly committee to include plenty of money for water storage in an updated bond measure set to go before voters next year. Read more over at the Jefferson Journal.

Idaho on pace for 3rd straight export record - AgMinute for December 3, 2013

Idaho is on pace to set a record for agricultural exports for the third straight year. Through the end of September, the value of all Idaho ag products sold to other countries was $736 million, a 7.6 increase over the $684 million total during the same period in 2012. Click here for the full story

South Korea wants to join Trans-Pacific trade talks - AgMinute for December 2, 2013

South Korea said Friday it will start negotiations to join a U.S.-led trade pact covering a dozen Pacific and Asian nations. Click here for the full story

Request made for more comments on FDA regs - AgMinute for November 29, 2013

A bi-partisan group of congressmen from both chambers is asking the FDA to submit a second set of proposed food safety rules for public comment. The Nov. 25 letter was signed by 75 members of Congress. Click here for the full story

Strategic planning critical for ag sector - AgMinute for November 28, 2013

Economics professor says strategic planning on the farm is critical for meeting the challenges of waning ag and rural wealth ahead. Having enough working capital will be a huge factor in 2014 and beyond. Click here for the full story