Farmers in certain regions of Idaho are facing issues like cold damage, nitrogen leaching, and a few cases of stripe rust. Significant cold damage has been observed in the early stages of some early, tender cereal grain crops in southeast Idaho, showing up as tip burning. This can get worse with cool temperatures and not enough water. Overall, extended cool conditions can be promising for cereal grain growth.

Farming is a stressful way of life with increasing challenges. Multiple studies show that farmer suicide rates are up to five times higer than the national average. Natural disasters, extreme weather events, financial uncertainty, fluctuating markets, labor shortages, trade disruptions, and other factors all contribute to extreme stress or mental health issues for farmers and ranchers who often live in a very isolated setting. Work has been introduced by two U.S. based organizartions to provide crucial mental health services to those dependable people who supply wheat to the world.

Weather plays a significant role in agricultural markets, particularly for commodities like wheat. Shifting weather patterns have prompted a recent reversal on wheat prices. Since April of 2024, wheat futures contract has surged from $5.53 per bushel to $6.87 per bushel as of May 13, reaching its highest level since August of 2023. Weather will continue to influence markets, but the futures contract surge is encouraging news for Idaho wheat growers.

The growing season is well underway in most cropping regions of Idaho. At this time of year, discussions among wheat farmers often revolve around yield projections, both at the field and farm level. Profitablity mapping is an extension of yield mapping in which information on inputs applied, input cost, and sales prices are all encompassed into a map. These profitability maps can be helpful for Idaho wheat farmers in determining what areas of a field can be profitable.

Wheat farmers in Idaho are predicted to plant 410,000 acres of spring wheat this year. Spring wheat cultivation in Idaho benefit's from the state's fertile soil and sustainable climate, which provide optimal conditions for wheat growth. Only 58% of spring wheat was planted at this time last year. The five-year average is 73%. Idaho wheat growers play a significant role in ensuring food security and meeting the growth demand for wheat both domestically and internationally.

Many farmers would consider growing no fewer than a dozen crops at 6,000 feet elevation to be challenging, but Dan Lakey, a wheat farmer based in Soda Springs loves a good challenge. Lakey has made soil science a focus and leans heavily on practices that will help conserve water and put more carbon into the soil. He is known for his innovative techniques, commitment to sustainability, and dedication to producing high-quality Idaho wheat.

The more we talk about mental health together, the more normalized these conversations become, ultimately empowering people to seek the help they need. More people are now talking about and prioritizing their mental health, just as they would their physical health. They are also embracing self-care to improve overall well-being.