12/29/06 Year in Review

2006, the year that farmers and ranchers didn't have to worry about water, there was plenty for a change thanks to snow and abundant spring rains. It was a year that brought potato experts from around the world to the Potato Congress in Boise and Wilder. Other experts came too, after potato cyst nematode was discovered in some eastern Idaho potato fields. The state says dozens of elk escaped from an eastern Idaho ranch, some were killed, others captured. Another meat packing plant closed in Idaho, now there are none. Dirk Kempthorne left Idaho to become Secretary of Interior, Jim Risch served half a year, Butch Otter is coming back to Idaho to be Governor and Pat Takasugi's decade long reign as State Ag Director ended. Congress didn't pass the Central Idaho Wilderness bill or the Owyhee Initiative, it failed to pass immigration reform and some producers were having problems finding field workers. The fire season this year was long and hot. Prices were up for some commodities, potatoes and wheat come to mind. Interest in alternative energy really grew this year and more Idahoans seem to be embracing it as we head into 2007. From all of us at the Northwest Ag Information Network, a happy and healthy New Year. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott