Idaho

On Friday, several Northwest lawmakers sent a letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin supporting the agency's plans to review the Biden Administration's tailpipe emissions standards.  The Multi-Pollutant Emission Standards for Model Years 2027 and later, finalized by the EPA in March 2024, looked to reduce emissions of from light-duty and medium-duty vehicles.  Those s...

While it’s just by the slightest of margins, the national planting progress when it comes to sugarbeets is officially past the 1/5 mark.  The latest numbers from USDA have plantings nationwide at 21%, which is slightly ahead of the five-year-average for this time of year at 20%, but behind last year’s 23%.   “Idaho has h...

A $14 million class action lawsuit has been filed against Lamb Weston, alleging the company did not provide meal or rest breaks.  Lamb Weston, which produces frozen potatoes and other foods, is accused of failing to provide 10-minute breaks, and half-hour lunches to its Washington workers.  The sui...

A team of buyers from major Japanese beef importers recently visited Idaho, as well as Kansas and Colorado to learn about the beef supply chain, from ranch to feedlot, processing to retail.   “We had about a dozen buyers that represented four of the major beef importing companies in Japan come to visit us here in Idaho," said Agri Beef’s Jay Theiler, one of the hosts of the tour.  "We ha

The value of U.S. industrial hemp production reached $445 million in 2024, representing a 40% year-over-year jump.  According to the National Hemp Report, released last week, total planted area for hemp jumped to almost 45,300 acres, 64% increase from 2023, with harvested area also rising to just under 32,700 acres.  Floral ...

“The heading progress for winter wheat, nationally, 8% of the U.S. winter wheat crop headed by April 13th.  That's right on par with the five-year average, two points behind last year's 10%," said USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey recapping the latest numbers from the USDA’s crop progress report.  He noted that most ...

According to NASS, as of March 1st, the total wheat stocks in Oregon totaled 27.9 million bushels, up from 25 million bushels a year ago.  Off-farm stocks were up 18% percent, while on-farm stocks were down 17% compared to the previous year.  In...

The University of Idaho announced Thursday evening the selection of the new College of Agricultural and Life Sciences dean.  Leslie Edgar will start her new role as the J.R. Simplot Endowed Dean on June 23rd.  She comes to Moscow from neighboring Washington State University where she most recently served as the associate dean of research for the College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource

Under a recently proposed bill, the federal government would prioritize use of mass timber in construction.  Senators from Oregon and Idaho are leading the bipartisan effort to pass the Mass Timber Federal Buildings Act.  The bill would make it a preference to use mass timber in federal construction projects.   Mass timbe...

Last week, Chobani announced a 500,000 square foot expansion of its Twin Falls, ID plant, which company officials say will increase production by 50%.   “It is for a new innovation in the protein area, which we're extremely excited about. It is an ...