INDUSTRY DIRECTORY
February 28, 2015

UI Extension Natural Resources Camp continues tradition June 22-27

KETCHUM, Idaho—Natural Resources Camp, a University of Idaho Extension tradition tucked away in some of the state’s grandest scenery, will again offer Idaho youth a unique opportunity to learn about and explore the environment June 22-27.
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February 27, 2015

Hershey announces transition to non-GMO

Hershey is the latest company to announce a switch to non-GMO ingredients.
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February 27, 2015

Indiana Senate defeats “right to farm” proposal

The Indiana Senate voted to kill a proposal that would have added “right to farm” protections to the state’s constitution.
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February 26, 2015

Regional Climate Research Project hosts Moscow Art Exhibition March 3-4

MOSCOW, Idaho—Art and Science will be the focus of an art exhibition in Moscow March 3-4 hosted by a research project focused on climate change and Inland Northwest wheat farming.
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February 26, 2015

Branstad approves gas tax hike in Iowa

As expected, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has approved the bill increasing the state’s gas tax by a dime a gallon.
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February 26, 2015

Ag needs a uniform digital language

Global trends are driving food innovation.
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February 26, 2015

Science and acceptance needed

New products can’t get to market for growers without science—but a CEO says acceptance is also needed.
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February 24, 2015

Ecology to provide water quality guidelines to farmers

The state Department of Ecology is telling Eastern Washington landowners what staff members look for when assessing water quality on farms and ranches.
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February 23, 2015

Influx of organic consumers raises marketing questions

Many new organic consumers have little experience with the organic label and some shoppers think they’re buying organic when they’re actually not, experts say.
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February 22, 2015

Group seeks to boost donations of farm goods to food banks

SACRAMENTO—California’s agriculture agency is teaming with a nonprofit organization on a campaign to boost donations of fresh farm goods to local food banks.
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February 21, 2015

Plant geneticist educates Idaho lawmakers about GMO crops

BOISE—A plant geneticist explained the difference between traditional plant breeding methods and genetic modification Feb. 12 during a presentation designed to educate Idaho lawmakers about how genetically engineered crops are produced.
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February 21, 2015

Idaho ag exports double over six years

Idaho’s agricultural exports—led by wheat and followed by dairy—are soaring, growing to $2.59 billion in 2013, according to state export data released by USDA Economic Research Service on Jan. 30.
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February 20, 2015

Draft U.S. rules on commercial drones keep some limits on use

The U.S. aviation regulator proposed rules on Sunday for commercial drone flights that would lift some restrictions but would still bar activities such as the delivery of packages and inspection of pipelines that have been eyed by companies as a potential
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February 20, 2015

UI project explores best strategy to help growers access local food markets

MOSCOW, Idaho—A University of Idaho research project seeks strategies to help small- to medium-sized farms supply foods to localmarkets.
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February 19, 2015

National Invasive Species Awareness Week promotes education and involvement

LAWRENCE, Kan.—National Invasive Species Awareness Week is scheduled for Feb. 22-28, and experts with the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) say it is more important than ever for each of us to get involved.
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February 19, 2015

USDA projects return of no-cost sugar program

WASHINGTON, D.C.—USDA has projected the nation’s sugar program will operate at no cost to taxpayers for the next decade.
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February 18, 2015

Senninger Irrigation launches new website

Senninger Irrigation, a global leader in agricultural irrigation manufacturing, is proud to announce the release of its newly redesigned website.
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February 18, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue

AgJunction Debuts LiteStar III Guidance System for Aerial Application

AgJunction, a leading provider of innovative hardware and software solutions for precision agriculture announced the release of its latest aerial guidance product, the LiteStar III from Satloc.
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February 18, 2015

Gene-altered apples get U.S. approval

The government on Friday approved the commercial planting of genetically engineered apples that are resistant to turning brown when sliced or bruised.
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February 18, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue

IPNI Names Science Award Winner

The International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) has named Dr. Ardell D. Halvorson as the winner of the 2014 IPNI Science Award.
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February 18, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue

Reinke Recognizes Rain for Rent as Top 10 Dealership

Reinke officials announced that Rain for Rent, with locations in Idaho Falls, Nampa and Paul, Idaho, has been recognized as one of the top 10 highest selling dealerships throughout the United States and Canada, in acknowledgment of the company’s 2013­2014
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February 18, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue
Fred Rehrman, Elysian Fields Ag Communications

Soil Fumigation Can Benefit Nematode-Tolerant Varieties

Once nematodes are discovered in a sugarbeet field, the most common and obvious solution is to plant a nematode-tolerant sugarbeet variety.
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February 18, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue

Syngenta Blogs Deliver Timely Info

Ag professionals are always hungry for information, and they’re looking for it online more than ever.
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February 18, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue

The New Ace In the Hole for Auger Control

Two key goals for growers are speed and safety when handling and transferring grain, seed or granular fertilizer.
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February 18, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue

Thousands Attend Irrigation Show

The Irrigation Association wrapped up its 35th annual Irrigation Show & Education Conference in Phoenix.
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February 18, 2015

Sugar and heart health: What are the facts?

February is American Heart Month.
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February 18, 2015

Voles becoming major headache for Idaho farmers

TERRETON, Idaho—Many farm fields were so cratered with vole holes last fall, agricultural pilot Leif Isaacson said they resembled a moonscape from the air.
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February 17, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue
News

Sustainability, Stewardship and the Nutrient Management Plan

Demand for sustainability information is building.
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February 17, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue
News
Steven Poindexter, Senior Sugarbeet Extension Educ

The Perfect Blend: Spray tank-mixing order important to minimize nozzle plugging

It is very common for growers to want to tank-mix multiple products when spraying in order to save time and application cost, or for resistance management.
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February 17, 2015

Drone ban wins support from hunters, animal advocates

A proposed ban on using aerial drones for hunting and sport fishing in Oregon has won support from groups representing hunters as well as animal rights advocates.
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February 16, 2015

Louisiana sugar cane farmers see a sweeter year ahead

Louisiana sugar cane farmers, fresh off a decent 2014 harvest amid good 2015 prices, were in a healthier, wealthier mood at this week’s annual industry fête in Lafayette than they were a year ago.
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February 15, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue
News

Elysian Fields Ag Communications

Once nematodes are discovered in a sugarbeet field, the most common and obvious solution is to plant a nematode-tolerant sugarbeet variety.
— Read More
February 15, 2015

Biotech critics claim GMO loophole will backfire

Critics say a loophole in federal regulations for genetically engineered crops will backfire against biotech companies.
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February 15, 2015

The sweet truth: Sugar is sugar

With all the different messages about added sugars floating around, it can be hard to sort out nutrition fact from fiction. The best information, however, is supported by years of scientific research.
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February 14, 2015

Oregon snowpack report paints dry summer

The snowpack in Oregon’s mountain ranges is at or near record-low levels in 40 percent of monitoring sites, which could mean trouble for irrigators, wildlife and water quality this summer.
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February 14, 2015

Minnesota farmer tax fix may not be immediate

Minnesota farmers think part of their property tax bills is unfair, but they probably should not get up their hopes that things will change immediately.
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February 13, 2015

USDA’s new disaster declaration includes all California counties

SACRAMENTO—The federal government has renewed disaster declarations for all 58 California counties as well as four counties in southern Oregon because of the lingering drought, which is entering its fourth year.
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February 13, 2015

Agricultural technology startup launches Morning Farm Report

CHAMPAIGN, Ill.—Agrible Inc. on Thursday launched Morning Farm Report, a predictive analytics tool that delivers field-specific data and forecasts to help with decision-making in the field.
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February 13, 2015

Is organic chocolate worth the price?

If you plunk down some big bucks for organic chocolate this Valentine's Day, your sweetie may or may not be impressed.
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February 13, 2015

Pro-GMO labeling senators plan amendment

Senators who favor the labeling of foods with genetically modified ingredients hope to use the amendment process to pass a labeling measure in the Senate, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said Thursday.
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February 13, 2015

Rosmann: Monopolization and diversity needed in agriculture

Agriculture is an arena of rampant monopolization of agricultural products, markets and gene pools.
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February 12, 2015

Senators launch fresh bid for sugar policy overhaul

Three senators on Thursday introduced a bill to overhaul the U.S. government's controversial sugar program, aiming to lower price-support levels and change domestic supply restrictions.
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February 12, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue
News

Science Denial and Today's Food Consumer: New CFI Research Cracks the Code to Informed Decision Making

Overwhelming scientific consensus tells us that genetically modified foods are safe and that humans contribute more to antibiotic resistance than animals.
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February 12, 2015

Koehler reintroduces GMO labeling bill

State Senator Dave Koehler of Peoria, who represents Illinois’ 46th District, has reintroduced a Genetically Modified Organism labeling bill to the state legislature.
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February 12, 2015

CSU Summit reimagines ag future

FORT COLLINS, Colo.—What will it look like to feed an additional 2 billion people by 2050?
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February 12, 2015

What’s lighter on the land, sugar beets or sugarcane?

Q. My co-workers and I are having a debate: Which is more environmentally friendly, sugarcane or sugarbeets?
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February 12, 2015

Ag loans increase, survey finds

Agriculture loans increased in the fourth quarter along with lowering profits for crop producers, according to the national Survey of Terms of Bank Lending to Farmers issued by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Most of the gains were from borrowing
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February 11, 2015

Coke ad injects the Internet with sugar, and Weight Watchers slams fast food

The two best ads of Super Bowl 2015 were strangely related. Both were about health and tech, in a way—two of our favorite topics these days.
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February 11, 2015

Groups want EPA to control air around CAFOs

A coalition of environmental, animal rights and other groups has filed two lawsuits demanding the Environmental Protection Agency do something about controlling air pollution from large farms.
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February 10, 2015

Join Syngenta's Drive to Thrive contest

The application period for the second annual Syngenta Drive to Thrive contest is now open.
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February 10, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue
News

Down the Drain: Tile drains a major path for phosphorus loss, studies find

It’s been largely ignored in the past as a route for phosphorus loss from farms, but the buried network of drainage pipes known as the tile system can carry away as much phosphorus as surface runoff.
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February 10, 2015

BNSF announces $326 million in projects for Minnesota in 2015

MINNEAPOLIS—A leading rail company announced Thursday a $326 million spending plan to repair and update its infrastructure in Minnesota.
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February 10, 2015

Idaho grower touts benefits of companion crops

POCATELLO, Idaho—Steve Shibely sprinkles in a bit of radish seed before he plants his winter wheat.
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February 09, 2015

2014 a turning point for Idaho's struggling sugar beet industry

2014 was a step in the right direction for Idaho sugarbeet growers, with cash receipts increasing by 9 percent and rising sugar prices returning the first profit in three years.
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February 09, 2015

Commodity price falls prompt new Tate & Lyle profit warning

Tate & Lyle has issued its third profit warning in a year after it was hit by falling oil and sugar prices in the third quarter of its financial year.
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February 09, 2015

Growers struggle with glut of legal pot in Washington state

SEATTLE (AP)—Washington’s legal marijuana market opened last summer to a dearth of weed. Some stores periodically closed because they didn’t have pot to sell. Prices were through the roof.
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February 08, 2015

Where people around the world eat the most sugar and fat

We all know Americans love their sugar. But data from market research firm Euromonitor suggest that the love may border on lunacy, at least compared with the rest of the world.
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February 08, 2015

Augusta doctor looks back on treating sugar refinery explosion victims

It's been seven years since a sugar refinery explosion in Savannah, Ga., killed 14 people and injured hundreds more.
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February 08, 2015

Growers to defend U.S. sugar policy in D.C.

Defending the U.S. sugar program will be the sole priority for 55 sugar producers planning a trip to lobby policymakers in Washington, D.C., from late February to early March.
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February 08, 2015

Sugar-sponsored coloring book for kids hits a sour note

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February 08, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue
News
Allen Thayer

Giving Back to the Industry: All Growers share a common bond

Favorable harvest conditions didn’t help sugarbeet growers in the Red River Valley overcome a cold, wet spring.
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February 08, 2015

Washington lawmaker introduces ag-gag bill

An Eastern Washington legislator has introduced a bill emulating Idaho’s “ag-gag” law, which criminalizes undercover taping at agricultural operations.
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February 07, 2015

Monarch butterfly protections could restrict GMOs

Federal regulators think monarch butterflies may be a threatened species, which could eventually provide biotechnology critics with a new justification for restricting genetically engineered crops.
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February 06, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue
News
Phillip Hayes

From Loan to Subsidy in the Blink of an Eye

Months after receiving preferential government loans, Indian farmers soon will be allowed to walk away from their debts without repayment of either principal or interest, according to a Dec. 9 article by Bloomberg.
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February 06, 2015

Idaho drone company first to receive ag exemption

A newly formed consortium of Northwest companies is the first to receive an exemption from federal aviation regulations to use unmanned aerial vehicles in agriculture.
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February 05, 2015

Drones, data hot topics at national Farm Bureau convention

SAN DIEGO—Drones and data are like the Bigfoot of American agriculture: They’ll turn the industry on its head if they turn out to be real.
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February 04, 2015

Idaho’s “ag gag” law faces constitutional test

Opponents of an Idaho law that prohibits secret recordings of farm operations will argue the statute should be thrown out as unconstitutional.
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February 03, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue
News

Take Charge of Farm Safety

Growers suffer an average of 70,000 disabling injuries a year, not including respiratory illness and hearing loss.
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February 03, 2015

Idaho anti-GMO labeling talk concerns Farm Bureau

BOISE—Idaho Farm Bureau Federation officials worry any proposal to legislatively block state or county labeling requirements for genetically modified organisms would needlessly bring negative attention to Idaho agriculture.
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February 02, 2015| Published in the February 2015 issue
News
Luther Markwart

Trade Talk Tops Agenda

The congressional agenda for 2015 is daunting, to say the least.
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February 02, 2015

Deere to cut more than 900 workers as farm economy weakens

Deere & Co., the world's largest maker of farm equipment, will lay off more than 900 employees at plants in Iowa and Illinois in the latest round of job cuts spurred by a decline in grain prices that is hurting demand for agricultural machinery.
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February 01, 2015

USDA organic survey under way

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is conducting a survey of organic agriculture in the United States.
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