“When we’re talking vaccines, the worst-case scenario is not vaccinating,” says Idaho County Extension Educator Meranda Small. “That means you’re not giving your animals the opportunity to be set up for success in a variety of scenarios.”

Many agricultural information meetings are planned for the purpose of sharing the latest (hopefully unbiased) research information. However, these meetings have the potential to offer more than just technical data.

The good news is that despite the downsizing of proprietary and public alfalfa breeding programs, there is still a lot of genetic improvements being made. This is in part due to the technical advances in plant breeding.

Many of today’s youth are served well through 4-H and FFA programs throughout the state and nation, but those aren’t the only successful youth programs available in agriculture. Several commodity or livestock groups tailor specific programs to encourage youth involvement beyond 4-H or FFA, and Amalgamated Sugar Youth Grower Program is one example of these outstanding programs.

Steam-flaked corn and barley, and custom pelletized calf feeds, are three new options available to Idaho beef and dairy producers through Scoular’s latest expansion in Jerome.