THOUGHT PIECES

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

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

DENVER (AP) — On Colorado’s northeastern plains, where the pencil-straight horizon divides golden fields and blue sky, a farmer named Danny Wood scrambles to plant and harvest proso millet, dryland corn and winter wheat in short, seasonal windows. That is until his high-tech Steiger 370 tractor conks out. The tractor’s manufacturer doesn’t allow Wood to… 11 states consider ‘right to repair’ for farming equipment

IDAHO FALLS – The outcome of an irrigation lawsuit could determine whether hundreds of Idaho farmers continue to have access to the state’s water supply. The dispute, which revolves around distribution of water in the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer, is between participating members of the Surface Water Coalition in Magic Valley and Idaho Ground Water… Irrigators fear water will be cut off in eastern Idaho amid looming legal battle

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Armchair farming may not be here yet, but it’s getting closer. “Autonomy in agriculture isn’t as far away as you think,” says Kent Shannon, University of Missouri Extension agricultural engineering specialist. Agriculture is rapidly shifting to technology that can increase land efficiency, reduce labor shortages and streamline food production, says Shannon. Imagine… Armchair farming edges closer as industry shifts to autonomous technology

Much attention has been given to how to increase fruit and vegetable consumption. It’s not a new problem but a recurring issue, despite the efforts of many. Produce prescriptions Considered a matter of national urgency, the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health was held in September to create a framework for ending hunger… Looking Ahead to 2023: Increasing consumption

Following last month’s move by Washington state officials urging the Biden administration to help remove or reduce tariffs on American apples imported to India–how are Washington apple growers and shippers feeling about it? “I applaud the effort. However, it is most likely too late to make a major or immediate impact in the volume shipping… Industry reacts to Washington asking to remove tariffs on apples to India