Idaho Farm Bureau Federation

Legislation lowering the Idaho income tax rate cleared the state legislature last week.  Dex Lake with the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation said House Bill 40 would reduce the state’s income tax rates, for both individuals and businesses, from the current 5.695% to 5.3% of...

Idaho lawmakers are considering reforms to the state’s domestic use exemption in Idaho water law.  The Idaho Farm Bureau Federation’s Braden Jensen said Senate Bill 1083A, was developed by a water user workgroup, of which IFBF was a part.   “Curren...

A new proposal in the Idaho House, House Bill 195, looks to establish stricter guidelines for the state Department of Fish and Game before relocating or transplanting wildlife.   “The bill requires 30-day advance notice to county commissioners, landowners and lease holders before any wildlife release, with a few exceptions, for small animals like starlings and raccoons," said Dex Lake with th

Currently 70% of Idaho is controlled by the federal or state government, but that figure could move higher under House Bill 129.  Dex Lake of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation said this proposal would allow the state to purchase more privately owned acreage.   “...

Over the years, a string of U.S. Supreme Court cases have stated that no rancher’s livestock may “trespass” upon federally managed lands without authorization to graze.  Yet even in “fence-out” states, the courts have held that the federal government is not required to fence their property.   Despite there being a long lin...

Idaho House Joint Memorial 4 was introduced earlier this month, asking the federal government to remove the grizzly bear from the Endangered Species List.  The Memorial said grizzly bears have reached recovery goals in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, and those elevated population numbers have led to conflicts between bears and both humans and other animals alike.   “...

The state of Idaho is looking at expanding who is eligible for depredation compensation.  The Idaho Farm Bureau’s Dex Lake said House Bill 82 aims to include livestock losses deemed “possible” wolf or grizzly bear depredations.   “Currently, I...

By a 70-0 vote Tuesday, the Idaho House approved House Bill 104, which provides a unified and singular definition for agricultural buildings in the section of state code dealing with building permits.  Dex Lake with the Idaho Farm Bureau said state law does not require building permits for ag buildings and only requires compliance with road setback specifications and utility easements.  He added t

The Idaho Legislative Session is underway, and the Farm Bureau said it’s important farmers statewide stay plugged into what’s happening in Boise.  Idaho Farm Bureau Federation’s Dex Lake said despite demographic changes across the state in recent years, most lawmakers still understand the important role agriculture plays in Idaho’s economy.  But do lawmakers respect Idaho ...

Registration is now open for the 2024 Idaho Ag Outlook Seminar.  This year’s event will take place at the Hilton Garden Inn Boise, starting at 9 a.m. on Wednesday December 18th.  Brett Wilder, UI Extension agricultural economist says this year’s Seminar will be very interesting for a variety of reasons.  One, he noted, the oddity of ...