Ag groups cheer as appeals court puts hold on WOTUS regs. Ag Minute for Oct. 14, 2015

A panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati put the regulations on hold nationwide until the court decides whether it has jurisdiction to consider lawsuits against them. Click here for full story.

Idaho moisture outlook better in south than north. Ag Minute for October 1, 2015

An Idaho hydrology expert says conditions are favoring another dry winter in Northern Idaho but the possibility of good moisture in Southern Idaho. Click here for full story.

Earlier drought planning needed, Ag Director says. Ag Minute for Aug 6, 2015

The state was caught "flat-footed" in drought planning this year and needs to do a better job next year, the director of the state Department of Agriculture says. Click here for full story.

Poll: Americans favor farmers and food during drought. Ag Minute for Aug 5, 2015

When asked to rate the importance of competing needs when water is scarce, 74 percent said agriculture should be a top or high priority. Click here for full story.

Drought conditions take hold in Western Washington. AgMinute for June 29, 2015

Five Western Washington counties are in a "severe drought," according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, putting boths sides of the Cascades on course to become federal disaster areas. Click here for full story.

PCN water supply forecasts mixed - AgMinute for January 30, 2015

Irrigation water supplies for Washington and Idaho are shaping up to be adequate overall for the coming growing season. Oregon's outlook is yet uncertain, however, and California is again facing deficits. Click here for the full story

New UI agronomist eyes water use - AgMinute for December 9, 2014

University of Idaho has a new agronomist with expertise in water-use efficiency at its Aberdeen Research and Extension Center. Click here for the full story

August rains boost upper Snake water carryover - AgMinute for November 4, 2014

Monsoon-like rains that hammered wheat and barley fields in Eastern and Southern Idaho in August have improved the water supply situation in the upper Snake River reservoir system. Click here for the full story

EPA extends water rule comment period - AgMinute for October 9, 2014

The Environmental Protection Agency has extended the comment period on a controversial proposal that would change the definition of "waters of the U.S.," a rule change some say will increase the agency's power over agriculture. Click here for the full story

Water will flow until October in Treasure Valley - AgMinute for September 19, 2014

Irrigation districts in southwestern Idaho won't cease delivering water to farmers until the first part of October, a month later than last year. They also expect to have a decent amount of carryover water left for the 2015 season. 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

USDA seeks partnerships to protect soil, water - AgMinute for May 29, 2014

Authorized by the new farm bill enacted earlier this year, the Regional Conservation Partnership Program is intended to involve the private sector more directly in planning and funding environmental protection initiatives tied to agriculture. Click here for the full story

Idaho water situation continues to improve - AgMinute for April 15, 2014

A series of snow and rain storms in March and April improved the southwestern Idaho water supply situation significantly and water supply managers now expect a normal irrigation season. Click here for the full story

March rain, snow eases drought in Northwest - AgMinute for April 2, 2014

A wet March followed a wet February throughout the Pacific Northwest, further improving the water outlook for regional growers. Click here for the full story

Winter storms ease water concerns - AgMinute for March 6, 2014

A series of storms over the last 2 weeks have dumped much needed snow and rain across the northwest easing, but not eliminating, concerns that water supplies will be tight this summer. For more information visit www.capitalpress.com

Pineapple Express brings water relief to Idaho - AgMinute for February 18, 2014

A weather system called a Pineapple Express began dumping wet snow and rain across Idaho earlier this month, and now water managers are revising their outlook. Click here for the full story

Potential water pollution permit requirements? - AgMinute for January 15, 2014

Rules proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency would greatly expand the agency’s regulatory reach, potentially requiring water pollution permits for farming activity near ditches or across areas of pooled water that might seep into streams. Click here for the full story

Treasure Valley water supply situation bleak - AgMinute for January 3, 2014

There is very little carryover water in most reservoirs in the Treasure Valley area and the region’s farmers are depending on above-normal snowpack levels to prevent another tight water year in 2014. Click here for the full story

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.

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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.