1-18 IAN Ag boosts ID Economy

 Idaho Lawmakers got good agricultural news in the Senate Auditorium at the Idaho Statehouse.

University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Dean John Hammel and economist Garth Taylor told lawmakers that Idaho Agriculture made significant gains in 2010 despite a slow, sluggish economy.

 Here’s Idaho Farm Bureau spokesperson Jake Putnam: “Rebounding milk prices helped Idaho agriculture post a 12 percent gain in projected cash receipts for 2010 that totaled over $5.78 billion, according to an annual report by University of Idaho agricultural economists.”

The report showed that projected net farm income grew 55 percent to $1.44 billion and repaired much of the damage from a 49 percent drop in 2009. The gain reflected a 10 percent increase in total revenues that outpaced an overall 2 percent rise in total expenses.