The sudden turn of weather toward below-freezing temperatures could pose damage to some winter wheat and canola crops that have gotten an early start. Doug Finkelnburg, University of Idaho-Nez Perce County Extension educator, said Tuesday that crops without an insulating layer of snow to protect against this week’s expected frigid zone could suffer some damage. Inland Northwest forecasters say Friday is when below-zero temperatures (with the wind chill factored in) will arrive in the area. The Palouse could see those negative readings, and even the temperate Lewiston-Clarkston Valley might dip into the single digits this weekend, according to the National Weather Service at Spokane.

Idaho agriculture had a strong 2023 and will contribute to the state’s economy substantially again this year, according to analysts. Agriculture is expected to grow by a higher percentage in Idaho than in the nation as a whole largely due to the state’s commodity mix, Brett Wilder, a University of Idaho farm business management extension educator, told the legislature’s Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee Jan. 4. The state’s big dairy sector, for example, provides opportunities to benefit from economies of scale. “Ag producers are in a relatively good position going into 2024,” he said. Inflation and interest rates are concerns, along with geopolitics.

Idaho farmer Justin Place loves all the changes that happen on his farm. "You have a small window — you get something done and then you change to the next job," he said. "Then, a little bit later on, you change to the next job. Always keeping something new and fresh in front of us." But the new president of the Idaho Grain Producers Association doesn't foresee making any big changes during his year-long term. "I feel like we have a pretty tight ship here in Idaho," Place told the Capital Press. "As things arise, then obviously, we'll step to the challenge." Facing challenges is another thing Place enjoys.

Cliff Tacke describes himself as a "newly retired" farmer. He raised soft white wheat on several thousand acres in Idaho County and turned over his farm to his son and daughter-in-law in 2022, after 47 crops. Tacke, 69, was appointed by Gov. Brad Little in July to serve a five-year term. He replaced Bill Flory of Winchester, Idaho. He hopes to "take my spot" in continuing the commission's overall activities "in an upstanding manner." His goal is to "just continue on the road that has been blazed by previous commissioners," he said. Tacke pointed to the commission's mission: Education, promotion of product and research.

By now, the hustle and bustle and stress of the holiday season is behind us. You have probably spent weeks shopping, gift-giving, and visiting with friends and family – mostly time spent focusing on everyone else. Now, with the New Year upon us, it is time to focus on you. As we think of New Year’s resolutions, we naturally reflect on how we can better ourselves and contemplate changes to make that happen.Here are some tips for creating resolutions that prioritize your mental well-being:

The start of a new calendar year presents an opportunity for restaurant and retail operators to begin planning for the future, based on professional trend analysis and predictions. At Tribeca Oven, we frequently analyze and share data with our operator community so you can leverage trends to achieve continued growth. C.H. Guenther & Son’s Senior Insights Manager, Lindsey Murtaugh, is one of Tribeca Oven’s in-house experts who has helped us identify five bread trends for 2024 that you can use to shape your menu or buying planning for the year ahead.

Wheat prices extended their soft start to 2024, weighed by crop improvement in the top US growing state with European wheat exports witnessing competitive growth from increased Ukrainian grain exports. The US Department of Agriculture rated at 43% 'good' or 'excellent' the condition of winter wheat in the state of Kansas, up by nine points since the previous reading in late November. The rating in neighbouring Oklahoma rose too, by 14 points to 67%. While ratings for some smaller growing states, such as Colorado and Nebraska, eased from pre-winter levels, the improvement in Kansas, which is typically responsible for roughly one-quarter of US winter wheat output, provoked crop confidence and encouraged the removal of some risk premium.