From running family farms to spearheading innovative agricultural practices, women have and continue to play a vital role in shaping the future of farming. This is especially evident in the dairy industry, where women are increasingly taking on leadership roles, driving sustainability and fostering community connections.

In 2021, Idaho 4-H reinstated a state dairy judging contest after a 30-year hiatus. In early October 2024, Idaho sent four young women to represent the state at the National 4-H Contest in Madison, Wisconsin.

 
Everyone knows a livestock producer who’s lost animals to bloat. Because of the risk, some folks flatly refuse to graze their stock on dense stands of clover or alfalfa. Others kind of shrug, saying they’ve rarely lost animals and don’t worry about it much. So … what gives?

Today, Bruce is more than just another steer. He has millions of followers on social media. People around the world follow this Idaho steer on Herrera’s social media channels to see what human foods he will try next and what house pet-like activities Bruce will do with the family. Herrera says Bruce’s fame was truly accidental.

The first phase of construction of the University of Idaho-led Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (Idaho CAFE) – comprising rough grading of open-lot corrals and dairy lagoons and construction of a 60-cow rotary milking parlor – is on pace to be completed by late September or early October.

In Idaho, where farming is a cornerstone of the economy, adopting heat reclaim technology is a strategic move that offers substantial benefits and can revolutionize agricultural practices. In this article, you can learn more about how heat reclaim systems can enhance efficiency, reduce costs and promote sustainability on Idaho farms.

When immersed in a new culture, language, location and lifestyle, accessing health resources can be infuriating and confusing. Routine tasks, like setting up a dentist appointment and attending doctor’s visits, can be daunting, if not impossible, under these circumstances.

Dairyman Jesus Hurtado’s fate was intertwined with the late John Reitsma and his dairies for nearly three decades. Now Hurtado and John’s son Dirk Reitsma and their dairy futures are connected again through co-investment in a new milk plant in Burley, Idaho.