Climatologists forecast brief break in the heat. Ag Minute Aug 31, 2015

U.S. Climate Prediction Center issues two-week forecast that departs from region's summer long weather pattern. Click here for full story.

Hop output to increase despite drought. Ag Min For July 31, 2015

While some hop varieties suffer from heat and drought in Washington's Yakima Valley, the industry anticipates a larger crop because of increased acreage. Click here for full story.

Severe drought conditions spreading rapidly in Washington. Ag Minute for July 10, 2015

U.S. Drought Monitor reports a dramatic spreading of severe drought conditions in Washington state. Click here for full Story.

Drought reduces hydroelectric output. Ag Minute for July 3, 2015

Drought lowers river flows, electrical power output. For full story click here.

USDA declares drought disaster in 18 Washington counties. AgMinute for Jun 26, 2015

USDA includes 18 Washington counties in federal disaster declaration. Click here for full story.

May rains had little impact on drought Agminute for Jun 4, 2015

Despite heavy rain in May, experts say drought is still a fact of life in much of the West. Click here for full story.

Drought impacted Ag Census findings - AgMinute for May 5, 2014

In explaining key findings in its 2012 Census of Agriculture today, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service noted record high agricultural sales despite severe drought in 2012. Click here for the full story

Rabobank: Strong beef markets to continue - AgMinute for April 14, 2014

Tight cattle supplies, drought in U.S., Brazil and Australia and extraordinary growth in China's beef imports add up to positive fundamentals in the global beef arena. Click here for the full story

Drought, exports drive hay markets - AgMinute for March 5, 2014

Hay prices in most of the country are expected to decline in 2014 due to widespread drought recovery. But prices for hay, particularly alfalfa, in the West are expected to remain strong and higher than the national average due to drought and strong export demand. Click here for the full story

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.

Between a rock and a dry year — AgMinute for June 24, 2013

The dim outlook for the irrigation supply this season has brightened somewhat. But many farmers in the Pacific Northwest will still have to get by on a lot less and the tight situation has already altered many planting decisions.

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Drought drives dairy — AgMinute for March 29, 2013

Drought in New Zealand and flat milk production in the U.S. drove prices higher last week for U.S. dairy products.

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Not enough hay — AgMinute for Feb. 6, 2013

Two years of drought have taken their toll on U.S. hay supplies, according to a USDA report. Dec. 1 hay stocks dropped double digits in 2011 and 2012, first from the drought in the Southern Plains and last year from the more widespread drought in the Midwest.

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The herd is on the move — AgMinute for Feb. 5, 2013

The severe drought that scorched pastures across the Southern Plains last summer helped shrink the nation's herd to its smallest size in more than six decades and encouraged the movement of animals to lusher fields in the northern and western parts of the U.S.

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Drought and profit — AgMinute for Jan. 23, 2012

The Federal Reserve predicts U.S. farm income could decline in 2013, but it depends upon how long the drought continues.

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Bean rebound - Idaho AgMinute for Oct. 16, 2012

Idaho's dry bean harvest is projected to be the largest since 1990, despite initial worries that yields would be stymied by drought. The USDA projects the 2012 Idaho bean crop will total 3.02 million hundredweight, up 61 percent from last year.

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Drought unlocks loans - Idaho AgMinute for Sept. 18, 2012

The federal Farm Service Agency has enacted new policies making its loans quicker and easier to obtain and terms more lenient for agricultural producers coping with severe drought.

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AgMinute for Sept. 17, 2012

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has slightly lowered its forecast for the nation's drought-damaged corn crop to the lowest yield since 1995.

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No salve for ethanol's burn — Podcast for Aug. 24, 2012

In this podcast, editors and reporters talk about the plight of California ranchers facing widespread wildfires, the response of dryland wheat farmers to ongoing drought in southern Idaho, and the Capital Press editorial board’s position on how to cope with soaring feed costs.

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AgMinute for Aug. 23, 2012

Spring wheat production in Idaho is forecast to be down 36 percent this year as hot, dry weather in the southern part of the state has taken its toll on grain fields.

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