Economy and Trade

Idaho agriculture overcame a struggling dairy market to record a second consecutive year of stellar cash receipts in 2023, propelled by record values of four of the state’s major crops, according to a new University of Idaho economic report.

Over the years, agricultural demands have always proved a threat to the mental health and well-being of farmers, but in recent years, this issue has become prominent due to accelerating climate and economic changes. While rural areas have less resources available to help deal with mental health crises, there is help available.

The Farm Service Agency has opened enrollment for the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2024 crop year.

Pendleton Cattle Barons, a western heritage event held annually at the Pendleton Convention Center and Round-Up Pavilion in Oregon, has announced that it will increase its scholarship fund to $20,000 in 2024.

This week, livestock organizations in the northwest United States joined together to send a formal letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, asking the federal organization to not proceed with a plan to introduce an experimental population of grizzly bears to the North Cascade ecosystem.

Taxpayers in Washington state have the the country's fourth highest average tax rate for combined state and local sales tax at 9.4%, according to the Tax Foundation.

In a recent press release, Oregon State University Extension Service announced they received a three-year, $650,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced major investments in Oregon agriculture, rural housing, food assistance, and rural business priorities has passed the Senate, including more than $5 million in funding for Oregon community-initiated projects.

New USDA data show a University of Idaho Extension agricultural economics report released early this year significantly underestimated Idaho food producers’ 2022 profits while overstating increases to their production costs.

The Senate Agriculture Committee released a newsletter entitled “Farm Bill 101: Growing New Markets for Farmers.” This one-pager is designed to be easily digestible and explain trade markets in layman’s terms.