IDAHO WHEAT COMMISSION

News

The Ramifications and Reality of Breaching the Dams of the Pacific Northwest - Part 3

The connection between Idaho wheat and the Lower Snake River dams is significant. Idaho is one of the top wheat-producing states in the U.S., and the Lower Snake River dams play a crucial role in facilitating transportation for agricultural goods like wheat. These waterway systems allow for the effecient and cost-effective transportation of Idaho wheat to international markets.

July 22, 2024
Reaching Out to Farmers and Ranchers in Crisis
The American Farm Bureau conducted a survey in which farmers and farmworkers identified the following impacts to farmers' mental health.
July 22, 2024
USDA Forecasts Higher U.S. Wheat Production
The USDA's current WASDE report projects that the carryover of wheat on June 1, 2025, will be 856 million bushels. This is an increase of 13% from the June outlook of 758 million bushels, 22% higher than the 702 million bushels in 2024, and 50% more than the 570 million bushels in 2023. The 2025 carryover projection for all wheat classes is near the higher end of trade expectations. However, the USDA's updated estimate for 2024 production significantly exceeds trade estimates.
July 22, 2024
Bingham GWD Installs Groundwater Monitoring System to Help Reduce Water Consumption
The Bingham Ground Water District (GWD) and Ethos Connected, a Nebraska-based agriculture and water technology company, are collaborating to address water consumption and water issues affecting farmers. Ethos installs sensors that provide real-time data on water usage and its impact on aquifers. Recently, Ethos and Bingham GWD installed a nitrate groundwater aquifer monitoring system.This system will enable farmers to make informed decisions about water usage and aquifer management.
July 22, 2024
Officials Outline Columbia River Treaty Update
The modernized Columbia River Treaty agreement-in-principle, ensures hydropower certainty, flood risk management, and ecosystem health for the next 20 years. The agreement, crucial for the Pacific Northwest, will now be finalized for U.S. Senate ratification. The Columbia River, vital for hydropower, irrigation, and commercial cargo, will see enhancements under this treaty, including ecosystem improvements in collaboration with regional tribes. The modernized treaty, valued at $1.5 billion over 20 years, includes provisions for environmental stewardship and flood risk management, with commitments to support salmon migration and form new bodies for ecosystem recommendations.
July 22, 2024
Misunderstanding, Changes to IDWR Methodology Lead to Issues for Idaho's Farmers
The Idaho Department of Water Resources accepted an agreement that officially ended the water curtailment affecting 330,000 acres of farmland, and efforts are ongoing to develop a new mitigation plan. As a new water-saving agreement is being formulated, prior agreements are highlighting complications that troubled farmers in June.In 2023, IDWR Director Mathew Weaver, then deputy director, discussed how IDWR, groundwater districts, and the Surface Water Coalition misinterpreted the 2015 agreement, resulting in significant changes to Idaho’s water management policies.