The point of this whole story is that my mom is downsizing. Downsizing is an unemotional word that actually means “ripping your heart out.” Downsizing is emptying your life out of closets and boxes and drawers and arranging it onto the floor in piles. Downsizing is deciding which pieces of your past should be donated, sold or thrown away.

The use of biological products in agriculture has increased by 300% over the past 10 years and is expected to continue an upward trajectory. Vast amounts of information and claims surrounding these products have left many growers to wonder how these products fit into the production practices on their farms.

Like many Idaho beef ranching operations, Shaw Cattle Co. stands as a testament to the power of tradition, innovation and family values. A fourth-generation seedstock operation located in Caldwell, the ranch specializes in registered purebred Angus and Hereford cattle. Tucker Shaw and his family work together to uphold its legacy while embracing modern practices to shape the future of the beef industry.

Tim and Laurie Munns, ranchers near Snowville, Utah, were presented with the Utah Leopold Conservation Award for 2024 – an award that recognizes landowners for their dedication to environmental improvement. Their Flying M Ranch has seen many changes and improvements over the years.

A negotiated management plan that has helped resolve a long-standing conflict between groundwater and surface water users in the Wood River Basin has been extended for three more years, a topic discussed in detail during the Idaho Water Users Association annual convention in January.

The survey results highlight both the growing emphasis on soil health and the challenges crop advisers face in helping farmers adopt effective soil management practices. By understanding the perspectives and practices of crop advisers, it becomes clear that providing more comprehensive training and fostering greater face-to-face interactions may help overcome barriers such as cost and knowledge gaps.