BOISE, ID – The University of Idaho’s annual Ag Outlook Seminar will take a close look at what has been a challenging year for Idaho crop producers and another profitable one for livestock operations.
According to U of I Extension agricultural economist Brett Wilder, most Idaho crop farmers will finish 2025 either breaking even or slightly below, while the state’s dairy and beef producers continue to benefit from strong markets. Wilder will present his Financial Conditions of Idaho Agriculture 2025 report at the conference on Tuesday, December 17, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Riverside Hotel in Boise.
The event, hosted by U of I Extension, will feature presentations covering topics such as crop outlooks, input costs, water availability, regional agriculture, and national economic trends. Registration costs $35 for in-person attendance, which includes lunch, or $10 for virtual participation.
Though Wilder’s report is still being finalized, he said Idaho’s gross agricultural receipts are expected to be slightly lower than last year’s record $12 billion. Rising input costs have reduced profits across several key crops, with markets for potatoes, corn, sugar beets, and alfalfa performing below expectations. Wheat and barley prices remain near the break-even point.
“I don’t expect extremely rosy outlooks,” Wilder said. “We’re going to be realistic about the situation we have in front of us and hopefully give people a better feeling of where things sit.”
While crop farmers have faced tightening margins, Idaho’s livestock producers have fared much better. A limited national cattle supply has pushed beef prices higher, and although dairy prices have dipped slightly, lower feed costs have helped improve profit margins.
“The livestock sector might be a solid two-thirds of our gross cash receipts this year,” Wilder said.
Other speakers at the seminar will include:
- Doug Robison, Idaho president of AgWest Farm Credit, on global macroeconomic trends.
- Dexton Lake, Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, on agricultural policy updates.
- Xiaoli Etienne, Idaho Wheat Commission chair, on input costs.
- Colby Field, U of I Extension, on grain outlooks.
- Reed Findlay, Bannock County Extension educator, on alfalfa outlooks.
- Patrick Hatzenbuehler, U of I Extension specialist, on the potato market.
- Dustin Winston, StoneX Group Inc., on the dairy sector.
- A National Weather Service representative will also provide a weather and precipitation outlook.
Registration is requested by December 12. More details are available at uidaho.edu/extension/events/ag-outlook.
