Sean Ellis

Publications Editor, Idaho Farm Bureau Federation and Contributor at Freelance

Articles

Four straight years of farm export records for Idaho

2 weeks ago | postregister.com | Sean Ellis

POCATELLO – Idaho has set a record for total value of agricultural exports for four straight years. Considering that much of the farm products produced in Idaho are exported to other nations, that’s a good sign for the state’s ag industry. A total of $1.34 billion worth of farm products from Idaho were exported to other nations in 2024, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. That eclipses, by 14 percent, the previous record of $1.18 billion set in 2023.
Valley School District restarting ag program

3 weeks ago | postregister.com | Sean Ellis

HAZELTON – Valley School District is creating a new agriculture education program for its students. It just needs a little more help. The district covers the eastern end of Jerome County, in the Eden and Hazelton area. It is located in the agriculture-rich Magic Valley of southcentral Idaho and is one of the only school districts in that region without an ag program.
2025 water supply looking pretty good

3 weeks ago | postregister.com | Sean Ellis

POCATELLO – Based on mountain snowpack levels, 2025 should be a pretty decent water year for Idaho irrigators. That’s great news for farmers, and recreationists, who depend on the state’s reservoirs to provide water during Idaho’s hot, dry summer months. As of March 20, snowpack levels in most Idaho basins were well above normal, and the amount of carryover water in Idaho reservoirs was close to normal.
Egg prices are soaring and forecast to go higher

1 month ago | postregister.com | Sean Ellis

POCATELLO – The bad news is that retail egg prices in the U.S. have hit a record level. The worse news is that USDA forecasts they could increase by another 40 percent in 2025. The good news is that USDA has released a comprehensive plan to try to reign in soaring egg prices. The average price in the U.S. for a dozen eggs at the retail level was under $1.50 in January 2021. This January, the average price was a tad under $5. According to USDA’s Food Price Outlook for 2025, which was updated Feb.
Idaho holds first-ever Barley Yield Contest

1 month ago | postregister.com | Sean Ellis

BOISE – Idaho’s first-ever Barley Yield Contest is being hailed as a successful launch and the Idaho Barley Commission, which held the contest, plans to make it a national competition next year. “The first year of the barley yield contest has been a positive and exciting start, with strong participation and valuable insights gained, but we recognize that there is significant potential for growth,” said Sydney Anderson,” the IBC’s program manager for the yield contest.
Wheat is top crop in the PNW, in total acres

1 month ago | postregister.com | Sean Ellis

POCATELLO — In terms of total acres, wheat is the No. 1 crop in the Pacific Northwest states of Idaho, Oregon and Washington. In those three PNW states combined, there were 4.25 million planted wheat acres in 2024, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. “Wheat is a big crop in the Pacific Northwest,” says Britany Hurst Marchant, executive director of the Idaho Wheat Commission, which represents the state’s roughly 2,600 wheat farmers.
Wheat is Top Crop in the PNW, in Total Acres

2 months ago | m.farms.com | Sean Ellis

By Sean EllisIn terms of total acres, wheat is the No. 1 crop in the Pacific Northwest states of Idaho, Oregon and Washington. In those three PNW states combined, there were 4.25 million planted wheat acres in 2024, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. “Wheat is a big crop in the Pacific Northwest,” says Britany Hurst Marchant, executive director of the Idaho Wheat Commission, which represents the state’s roughly 2,600 wheat farmers.
Wave of blue jackets swarms Idaho Capitol

2 months ago | postregister.com | Sean Ellis

BOISE – Hundreds of FFA students from across the state mingled with legislators,statewide elected officials and farm industry leaders Jan. 27 during the annual Cenarrusa “Day on the Hill” luncheon. The luncheon kicks off a two-day event that brings hundreds of Idaho FFA members to Boise. A wave of FFA students wearing their iconic blue jackets descends on the Capitol to meet with lawmakers and experience first-hand how Idaho government works.
Wheat commission moves forward on new building

2 months ago | postregister.com | Sean Ellis

BOISE – The plan to construct a new Idaho Wheat Commission building, discussed and planned for years, is no longer in a holding pattern. IWC officials are moving ahead with plans for a new, $14 million Idaho Wheat and Ag Center, as the building is called. The old building was razed in December. Construction on the new building is set for this spring and it is expected to be completed in spring 2026. The new building, at 31,000 square feet, will be almost four times bigger than the old building.
Wheat Commission Moves Forward on New Building

2 months ago | m.farms.com | Sean Ellis

By Sean EllisThe plan to construct a new Idaho Wheat Commission building, discussed and planned for years, is no longer in a holding pattern. IWC officials are moving ahead with plans for a new, $14 million Idaho Wheat and Ag Center, as the building is called. The old building was razed in December. Construction on the new building is set for this spring and it is expected to be completed in spring 2026. The new building, at 31,000 square feet, will be almost four times bigger than the old building.