Idaho

Bayer’s Subsidiary, P4, To Fund Grouse Conservation, Settles Lawsuit

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 18:27:47 GMT

This week, three conservation groups who were suing Bayer’s subsidiary P4 announced they have gone through mediation and found resolution.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management approved the Caldwell Canyon Mine located in Idaho in 2019. This mine expansion would be the source of materials for the Soda Springs elemental phosphorus plant, which Bayer uses the phosphorus to produce glyphosate. Bayer the new mine’s capacity would expand the operational timeframe for the site by 35 to 40 years, and the facility has been in operation for more than 65 years.

In 2021, The Center for Biological Diversity, Western Watersheds Project and WildEarth Guardians filed a lawsuit against P4 citing effects of the mine’s activity (indirect and direct) on the sage grouse.

As announced this week, to resolve the lawsuit, P4 will contribute:

· $5.1 million to a trust fund for greater sage-grouse habitat restoration or conservation

· more than $2.4 million to acquire land to protect wildlife habitat connectivity

· $300,000 for sage-grouse presence or population surveys administered by a third party in consultation with conservation groups

Additionally, there are rail time frame limits and noise limits to prevent disturbing the grouse species.

The Caldwell Canyon Mine has brought additional scrutiny of its permitting processes. In 2023, a federal judge vacated the Bureau of Land Management’s authorization of the mine. The project is now currently being re-reviewed by the Bureau of Land Management as P4 submitted a newly proposed mine and reclamation plan. Their decision will be forthcoming.

Strange Bird Flu Outbreak, HPAI, Now Detected at Idaho Dairy

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 19:10:38 GMT

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) announced that HPAI, known as highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu, has been found in dairy cattle in Idaho. This now brings the number of affected states to four, adding more evidence the virus may be spreading cow to cow.

The cows were recently brought into the Cassia County dairy from another state that had found HPAI in dairy cattle, according to the ISDA.

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced that an investigation into mysterious illnesses in dairy cows in three states—Kansas, New Mexico, and Texas—was due to HPAI and that wild birds are the source of the virus.

Symptoms of HPAI in cattle include:

Drop in milk production
Loss of appetite
Changes in manure consistency
Thickened or colostrum-like milk
Low-grade fever

At this stage, there is no concern about the safety of the commercial milk supply or that this circumstance poses a risk to consumer health. The pasteurization process of heating milk to a high temperature ensures milk and dairy products can be consumed safely.

The ISDA encourages all dairy producers to closely monitor their herd and contact their local veterinarian immediately if cattle appear to show symptoms. HPAI is a mandatory reportable disease, and any Idaho veterinarians who suspect cases of HPAI in livestock should immediately report it to ISDA at 208-332-8540 or complete the HPAI Livestock Screen at agri.idaho.gov/main/animals/hpai/ .

For more on HPAI, read:

Skye Root Named 2022 Professional Farm Manager of the Year

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 16:50:59 GMT

Skye Root, founder of Root Agricultural Advisory in Boise, Idaho, was named the 2022 Professional Farm Manager of the Year. The award, co-sponsored by Syngenta, Farm Journal’s The Scoop magazine, and the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA), recognizes farm managers who display excellence in client service and a commitment to agriculture.
Root has worked in the asset and farm management industry for over 10 years and served multiple roles, including senior vice president for a global farmland asset manager and water rights consultant for a leading advisory firm in the water rights industry.

Four years ago, Root decided to start his own company, Root Agricultural Advisory, where he and his team manage and grow farmland portfolios throughout the Western United States.

Root has been awarded the 2022 Professional Farm Manager of the Year by Syngenta, The Scoop, and the ASFMRA after standing out as an innovative leader in the farm management profession, and because of his passion for improving his clients’ farm operations.

“The importance of farm managers is rising as the current generation of farmers begins to retire; they need someone to step in and keep the operation running,” said Brent Rockers, district manager at Syngenta and professional farm manager lead. “The best farm managers put their heart and soul into the land and manage it like it is their own. What stood out to me in Skye’s application was the diversity of the areas that he works in and the people that he works with. He covers a broad range of services within the farm management industry, and that is impressive.”

Involvement in the ASFMRA has allowed Root to be part of a meaningful and impactful organization, expand his network and make friendships.

“Skye has the ability to relate with people in a very down-to-earth and humble way,” said Brent Lawson, vice president of Permanent Crops and Acquisitions at Root Agricultural Advisory. “Skye is sharp and experienced, and his knowledge can cross-pollinate across the regions we work in. Because of that, he has a unique perspective to bring forward to the clients we serve.”

Root’s integrity, dedication to his industry and desire to help farmers reach their potential are qualities that his clients and colleagues value.

“Working with Skye as our farm manager provides us with comfort in knowing that he takes care of our farms like they were his own,” said Patrick Trainor, head of Investments at Homestead Capital and a client of Root’s for the past four years. “His attention to detail and great communication skills are just a couple of examples of what he offers to make our lives easier.”

To view a video celebrating Root’s achievements, visit www.FarmManageroftheYear.com.