Idaho Farmers Have Reason To Be Optimistic, UI Ag Economist Notes

The Ag situation in Idaho is a mixed bag these days.

According to the latest USDA numbers, the Gem State set a record for total Ag exports in 2024, with companies selling $2.84 billion worth of Ag products, an 8% year-over-year increase. While those numbers are encouraging, farmers statewide continue to struggle thanks to low commodity prices and high input costs; a combination farm country has seen for well over a year.

Photo: Glenn Vaagen

Focus On What You Can Control

Brett Wilder, University of Idaho Ag economist says with all of this volatility, farmers can easily get discouraged. He said as you look at the growing season ahead, it's important to manage what you can control.

“There's some leveraged producers out there that are feeling economic pain. And I think Putting yourself in a good situation is just trying to be 1%, 2% better at everything you do, which I know folks are already doing," Wilder said. "And it's hard to get better when you feel like you're already as good as you can get. But that's going to make the difference in 26 is can we be 1 or 2% better in terms of what our margin is and really focus on that profit margin rather than just focusing on yields.”

Opportunities Still Exist

While 2025, and in many cases 2024, was sobering for many producers across Idaho, Wilder says there is reason to be excited for the year ahead.

"Even though there is a lot of uncertainty, there's still a lot of optimism out there for 2026," Wilder said. "And I think there's a good chance we return to a little bit more stability for folks moving forward.”

Photo: Glenn Vaagen