Farmers, producers and policymakers were invited to the 2024 Idaho Ag Outlook Seminar – Potato News Today

Registration for the University of Idaho Extension’s annual seminar on Idaho’s agricultural prospects is now open through December 13. This important event provides insight into input cost analysis, supply, demand and price trends for the state’s key raw materials.

Event details and registration information

The 2024 Idaho Ag Outlook Seminar will be held Dec. 18 at the Hilton Garden Inn Boise Downtown, 348 S. 13th St., Boise. For those who cannot attend in person, there is the option of virtual participation. Registration is $35 for both in-person and online participants. Lunch will be offered for participants attending in person.

The seminar lasts from 9:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. and offers an extensive lecture program. This annual meeting is a valuable resource for food producers, agency officials and others involved in Idaho agriculture to refine strategies for the upcoming growing season.

A streamlined approach to delivering key insights

The event has historically been held at multiple locations across the state and will be consolidated into a single, expanded seminar this year.

“When we go to an event, it’s much easier for us to attract high-quality speakers and really focus on making it a quality event,” said Brett Wilder, agricultural economist with UI Extension and organizer of the seminar.

Agenda highlights

One of the most anticipated presentations will be Wilder’s unveiling of the annual report: “The Financial Condition of Idaho Agriculture.” The report was developed with the assistance of agricultural economist Xiaoxue “Rita” Du and provides key insights used by the state legislature and the Idaho Tax Commission to forecast revenues.

Wilder projects, whose agricultural profits in 2024 will reach their lowest level in at least three years, are due to lower cash receipts for most crops and stagnant production costs. Specific trends include:

• Challenges in the plant market: Forage crops such as alfalfa and corn are seeing price declines. Potatoes, facing oversupply, experienced weaker markets, although production costs remained stable.
• Bright spots in livestock: The beef market is thriving as the U.S. cattle herd reaches its smallest size in over 60 years. Thanks to lower feed costs, dairy producers are also expected to achieve higher profit margins.

Expert lectures from industry leaders

The seminar’s agenda features a wide range of expert perspectives, including:

• Idaho Agriculture Policy Outlook: Dexton Lake, Idaho Farm Bureau Federation
• National and Global Macroeconomic Trends: Doug Robison, AgWest Farm Credit
• Water and Weather Outlook: Troy Lindquist, National Weather Service
• Grains Outlook: Colby Field, UI Area Extension Instructor
• Input cost trends: Xiaoli Etienne, associate professor at U of I and foundation chair of the Idaho Wheat Commission
• Hay Outlook: Steve Hines, UI Extension Educator
• Potato market analysis: Patrick Hatzenbuehler, agricultural economist at UI Extension
• Report on other crops (sugar beets and onions): Colby Field
• Beef Market Trends: Brett Wilder
• Dairy Sector Outlook: Dustin Winston, StoneX Group Inc.

Local watch parties to improve accessibility

Wilder encourages county offices to host watch parties so local producers can attend the seminar remotely without having to travel to Boise. The goal of these gatherings is to promote community engagement while making the content accessible throughout Idaho.

“It’s always less exciting to talk about things when things are less rosy, but I think when we’re not at all-time highs it’s even more important to know where the market is and what opportunities we have to maximize that.” “Whatever we can get for ourselves raw materials,” Wilder said.

Source: University of Idaho
Registration: Visit this page
Media contact:
John O’ConnellDeputy Director of Communications, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
208-530-5959
[email protected]
Brett Wilder
Assistant Professor and Area Extension Educator in Agricultural Business Management
208-885-0263
[email protected]
Picture: Sugar beets are harvested in Aberdeen, Idaho. Credit: John O’Connell