Idaho Farm Bureau Federation

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 ...

Idaho is known for a variety of crops; potatoes, sugarbeets, cattle and calves just to name a few.  But more and more people who call Idaho home don’t appreciate the important role agriculture currently plays or how farming can help the state into the future.  Lance Zolling...

This year has been a challenging one for the Idaho agriculture community for a variety of reasons.  Bryan Serale, President of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, said weather and wildfires hurt many producers this year.  But a bigger challenge for commodities of all shapes and sizes, the lack of trade deals, allowing Idaho’s goods to go out on the open market.   "We have perfect...

Idaho Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers is out with the five winners of the Excellence in Agriculture Award.   “Congratulations to Azdyn Bartschis, Paige Nelson, Dallin and Nalani Greer, Patxi Larrocca-Phillips and Denton Perkins," noted Ray Serale, Chair of Idaho’s YF&R Program, in a recent video.   From here, ...

Total U.S. farm cash receipts are forecast to increase 24% in 2022 compared with 2021.  But total farm production expenses are also expected to be way up this year compared with last year.  Sean Ellis with the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation said the picture is a rosier in the Gem State.   “Idaho far...