Brad Carlson, Capital Press Journalist Profile

Articles

Sugar beet growers, advocates, go to D.C. to express challenges

1 week ago | capitalpress.com | Brad Carlson

Published 10:52 am Thursday, April 17, 2025 Federal farm policy is lagging rising challenges in the field, according to several participants in the American Sugar Alliance’s recent grower fly-in to Washington, D.C.“With farm country facing record-high input costs and declining commodity prices, our growers traveled to Washington to share firsthand the challenges they face,” said Samantha Parrott, executive director of the Snake River Sugarbeet Growers Association.
USDA terminates University of Idaho climate grant

1 week ago | capitalpress.com | Brad Carlson

Published 10:46 am Thursday, April 17, 2025 USDA terminated a University of Idaho grant — the largest in the school’s history — focused on helping farmers develop sustainable practices. USDA’s just-replaced Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program included nearly $59 million for UI’s Innovative Agriculture and Marketing Partnership project.
Hearing on petition to start Kootenai water rights adjudication postponed

1 week ago | capitalpress.com | Brad Carlson

Published 9:24 am Tuesday, April 15, 2025 Idaho Fifth District Judge Eric Wildman rescheduled a planned April 15 hearing on a petition to commence the Kootenai River Basin Adjudication. The hearing is now scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Pacific / 2:30 p.m. Mountain July 15 at the state water adjudications court, 253 3rd Ave. N., Twin Falls, and remotely via Zoom.
Upper Snake flood control prompts aquifer recharge to resume

1 week ago | capitalpress.com | Brad Carlson

Published 9:20 am Monday, April 14, 2025 The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation began flood-control releases at Palisades Reservoir April 7-10, which enabled the Idaho Water Resource Board on April 11 to resume Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer recharge operations, at least temporarily. The moves indicate water supply is good as the irrigation season gains momentum. Palisades is the second farthest upstream of the nine Upper Snake River reservoirs. Jackson Lake, in Wyoming, is the farthest upstream.
Help and have fun: Timber Creek Recycling grows

1 week ago | capitalpress.com | Brad Carlson

Published 12:53 pm Friday, April 11, 2025 NAMPA, Idaho — Of the many specialized systems Timber Creek Recycling uses, the aerated static pile is one of Mike Murgoitio’s favorites. The streamlined composting system, which decomposes covered materials by piping air into them, resembles a giant air hockey table. “It’s the first in Idaho at this massive a scale, and it’s automated,” said Murgoitio, who owns Timber Creek.
U-pick orchard’s crops look good — so far | Capital Press

2 weeks ago | capitalpress.com | Brad Carlson

Published 7:15 am Friday, April 11, 2025 EMMETT, Idaho — Gem Orchards owner Lance Phillips likes how his crops look so far this season, but is not celebrating just yet. “Apricots look good,” he said April 9, about two weeks after the U-pick orchard’s first-to-bloom, most frost-susceptible crop bloomed.
Idaho wine industry celebrates ‘Year of Tempranillo’

2 weeks ago | capitalpress.com | Brad Carlson

Published 10:35 am Thursday, April 10, 2025 The Idaho Wine Commission’s “Year of Tempranillo” declaration reflects that the Spanish red grape is now one of the top varieties grown in the state. The commission plans to highlight Tempranillo grapes and wines throughout the year, including during Idaho Wine and Cider Month in June, at the commission’s annual Savor Idaho event June 8, during Jaialdi and on International Tempranillo Day Nov. 13.
Idaho water supply forecasters optimistic after wet March

2 weeks ago | capitalpress.com | Brad Carlson

Published 11:34 am Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Snowpack that is near, at, or above normal in much of Idaho leaves USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service hydrologists optimistic that many irrigators will have enough water.
Drip irrigation of onions grows in SE Oregon, SW Idaho

2 weeks ago | capitalpress.com | Brad Carlson

Published 9:09 am Monday, April 7, 2025 JAMIESON, Ore. — Corey Maag’s mid-1990s shift to drip irrigation made him an early adopter of the method now common in the sizable southeast Oregon/southwest Idaho onion growing region. “We kind of had to do it through the drought years because there were years we didn’t have water past the end of June” using furrow irrigation, Maag said.
University of Idaho names new ag dean

3 weeks ago | capitalpress.com | Brad Carlson

Published 10:17 am Wednesday, April 2, 2025 The University of Idaho named Leslie Edgar as the new J.R. Simplot endowed dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Edgar now works as associate dean of research at the Washington State University College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences and director of the Agricultural Research Center.