Court upholds FDA’s animal antiobiotic plan - AgMinute for July 30, 2014

A federal appeals court has ruled that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration doesn't have to begin the process of withdrawing antibiotics from subtherapeutic use in animal agriculture. Click here for the full story

July cattle inventory lowest on record - AgMinute for July 29, 2014

The decrease in overall number of cattle and calves in the U.S. on July 1 is no surprise to the industry. But the decrease in beef replacement heifers is, considering other USDA numbers showing signs of herd rebuilding. Click here for the full story

Producers wonder when cattle price bubble will burst - AgMinute for July 28, 2014

Record-breaking cattle prices, bringing strong profits up and down the beef supply chain, have many concerned about a market downturn. Feedlots are the most at risk but have a pretty good cushion through October. Click here for the full story

Lake Lowell water rapidly declining - AgMinute for July 25, 2014

Farmers in southwestern Idaho have been asked to voluntarily conserve water in an effort to avoid a possible shortage at Lake Lowell near Nampa. Click here for the full story

Cow/calf profits soar - AgMinute for July 24, 2014

Cow/calf producers are enjoying sweet prices on their beef calves, with average profits running $480 per cow. Click here for the full story

Idaho soy, canola demanded for crushing plant - AgMinute for July 23, 2014

An oilseed crushing plant scheduled to open this fall in Plymouth, Utah, should make soybeans and canola more common in regional farm rotations. Click here for the full story

Frozen hops get the cold shoulder - AgMinute for July 22, 2014

Hop growers in Washington, Oregon and Idaho ,the nation's top hop producing states, have been slow to warm to the idea of freezing instead of drying hops. A South Dakota man who is pushing the idea may shift the focus of his project away from this area to his home state as a result. Click here for the full story

Spud leaders give GMO guarded endorsement - AgMinute for July 21, 2014

Potato industry leaders have taken a stance in favor of biotechnology as a safe option for developing improved crop varieties. Click here for the full story

Groups ponder recent dust rule proposal - AgMinute for July 18, 2014

Submitting a proposed clarification to Idaho's fugitive dust rule to the EPA for federal approval could offer farmers and ranchers more protection, ag leaders were told July 16. But it would also include a public comment period and could draw the attention of national environmental groups. Click here for the full story

ARS sheep research station closure averted - AgMinute for July 17, 2014

The House Ag Appropriations Subcommittee has blocked USDA's request to reprogram funding for the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station in Dubois, Idaho, and close the facility. The action, however, does not address the long-term threat to the research facility. Click here for the full story

Red-hot job market - AgMinute for July 16, 2014

Regional agricultural college leaders say job opportunities abound for their graduates, but they're having trouble keeping up with demand by the industry. Click here for the full story

Low supplies underpin high cattle market - AgMinute for July 15, 2014

Northwest Farm Credit Services sees continued favorable times ahead for cattle producers, due to tight supplies, low feed costs and strong demand. Click here for the full story

New regs to curb herbicide resistance in weeds? - AgMinute for July 14, 2014

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency may devise new restrictions to impede herbicide resistance in weeds due to genetically engineered crops. Click here for the full story

Farmers key to solving global problems - AgMinute for July 11, 2014

Farmers will be at the center of solutions to problems created by the growing world population, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture director Sonny Ramaswamy said during a lecture at Washington State University in Pullman, Wash. Click here for the full story

U.S., Idaho barley acres shrink - AgMinute for July 10, 2014

Planted barley acres are down both in Idaho and nationally, according to a USDA report. Click here for the full story

Mexico restores fresh U.S. spud imports within 26 kilometers - AgMinute for July 9, 2014

Access has been restored to fresh, U.S. potato exports to Mexico within 26 kilometers of the Mexico-U.S. border. Click here for the full story

Industry criticizes ARS cuts in Idaho, Washington - AgMinute for July 8, 2014

The USDA Agricultural Research Service is proposing the closure of the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station in Dubois, Idaho, and a reduction in the number of researchers in Prosser, Wash. USDA ARS Director of Information Sandy Miller Hays says the adjustments will address declining and flat budgets, but industry and researchers are criticizing the moves. Click here for the full story

Rabobank sees bright prospects for beef - AgMinute for July 7, 2014

When the temporary, global beef supply boost works its way through the system, limited supplies and strong demand are expected to result in strong prices in the third quarter of the year. Click here for the full story

Global dairy price recovery seen six months out - AgMinute for July 4, 2014

Rabobank's newest dairy report shows the anticipated drops in global dairy commodity prices in the second quarter of 2014 were more sever than anticipated. Click here for the full story

Meat prices on a record-setting roll - AgMinute for July 3, 2014

Beef and pork prices are at record highs due to limited supplies. Economists see no indication of demand slowing. Producers and feedlots are reaping the benefits, while profits are more volatile at the packer level. Click here for the full story

A tale of two markets - AgMinute for July 2, 2014

Capital City Public Market, Idaho's largest farmers market, and the new Boise Farmers Market, which was created by former CCPM vendors who wanted a more ag-centric market, are co-exisiting well and even feeding off each other. Click here for the full story

South Korea, PNW work to restore spud access - AgMinute for July 1, 2014

Potato industry leaders are optimistic about the restoration of South Korean access for fresh potatoes from the Pacific Northwest after Korean delegates visited Idaho. Click here for the full story