THOUGHT PIECES

U.S. apple industry is at a critical crossroads of difficult choices. —by Todd Fryhover, Washington Apple Commission As apple harvest began this year, over 17 million bushels of 2023 Washington apples remain to be sold. To say the 2023 Washington apple crop was challenging is a monumental understatement. Conversations of late with growers highlight the difficulties… Fryhover: Supply, demand, decisions

Organic apples are “catching fire with consumers.” Though the total 2024 Washington apple crop is forecast to be about 10% lighter than the record volume produced in 2023, the organic apple harvest is expected to be very similar to the previous year. The Washington State Tree Fruit Association (WSTFA) recently released its 2024 estimate, pegging… Washington 2024 organic apple crop gains momentum

Daniel Munch USDA’s September 2024 farm income forecast projects this to be yet another challenging year for American farmers, who are expected to lose nearly a quarter of their income in two years. Net farm income, a key measure of profitability, is forecast at $140 billion for 2024, marking a $6.5 billion decline (4.4%) from… Agriculture in the Red: Net Farm Income Drops Again in 2024 Forecast

by AgWest Farm Credit Executive summary High interest rates, generally low inventories, falling farm income, shifting water availability and regulations are among the main drivers impacting land values in the West. Land values in most of AgWest’s region remain strong as demand outpaces available inventory; however, these drivers have led to decreased buyer interest and/or… Land values – August 2024

by Farm Flavor to Idaho, Idaho Crops & Livestock Download Idaho Census of Ag Infographic PDF Idaho might be known for its potatoes (after all, the state produces about a third of the nation’s total potato crop), but that’s just one piece of the thriving Idaho agriculture industry. The Gem State also produces more than 185 other commodities, ranking… Top Idaho Agriculture Facts From the 2024 Census of Agriculture

We may be a little more than a few days late, but we’re not coming up short on celebrating this great accomplishment for Root Agricultural Advisory Founder, Skye Root! This March, at the APEX Awards by the REALTORS® Land Institute, Skye was the recipient of 3 awards! 👏 2023 Top National Producer 👏 2023 National… This March, at the APEX Awards by the REALTORS® Land Institute, Skye was the recipient of 3 awards!

Food-at-home prices increased by 11.4 percent in 2022, more than three times the rate in 2021 (3.5 percent) and much faster than the 2.0-percent historical annual average from 2002 to 2021. Of the food categories depicted in the chart, all except beef and veal grew faster in 2022 than in 2021. In 2022, price increases… Retail food price inflation in 2022 surpassed 2021 rates in most categories

Behind closed doors, furious negotiations are taking place to keep the peace between canal irrigators in the Magic Valley and groundwater irrigators in Eastern Idaho as the drought that has gripped the West rears its head in the Gem State. At stake is a 2015 settlement agreement, a crowning achievement of House Speaker Scott Bedke,… Amid drought, Idaho water wars threaten to restart as negotiators seek compromise

New fruit varieties are continuously being developed to meet the ever-evolving needs of consumers. However, how does a new variety make its way into the market and become successful? Washington state-based Proprietary Variety Management (PVM) is a full-service commercialization company. “We take tree fruit all the way through the commercialization process to marketing,” says Kathryn… Cosmic Crisp: the largest commercialization of an apple variety globally

By 2050, the demand for food will surge 70%, in line with rapid population growth. A UN study found that about 9.9% of the world’s population still goes hungry, so the thought of feeding almost 10 billion mouths is a daunting prospect. With environmental changes hard to predict, we must turn to innovation in agriculture… Agriculture Innovation: 10 Tech Trends to Watch in 2023