Producer Feedback

A record crowd of over 300 members of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation met last week for the 76th annual meeting. We caught up with a few farmers and ranchers across Idaho to see how 2015 turned out for producers. Galen Lee of New Plymouth. “We started out with asparagus in the spring, we have peppermint, sugar beets, hay, grain, corn, cows and small greens.”

And how did 2015 treat Gaylen? "Treated us decent I guess. Wasn't spectacular. Commodity prices were down a little bit, overall 8 to 10% is what the prices were across all my commodities that I raise. Took a little bit of a hit but still good enough to survive and keep going next year.” Carl Allen farms in the high country of Teton County and 2015 presented challenges. “It's been a pretty good year. The only drawback has been the hay market and everything has taken a downturn because of the extra supplies from last year. Oversupply of feed barley has made it tough for us because we raise hay and grain. But overall, the dairy has held its own.” Cattle rancher Chris Dally of Blackfoot . “The cattle market for us in 2015 was really good. It was unbelievable. We sold calves for more money than we ever have and I hope it's not that we ever will. I hope we see that again. 2015 has been good to us.” New Dell farmer Dwight Little. “The potato crop was really good for us this year. Our timing seemed to be just right on everything. We just missed that big heat in June and we had some good rains, so we turned out really well this year.” Farmers are now preparing for the 2016 growing season.