Idaho
Iran war drives up fertilizer, diesel costs for Idaho farmers
TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) —The war with Iran is driving up the cost of diesel and fertilizer for Idaho farmers at a critical time in the growing season.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted global supply chains, with Saudi Arabia alone accounting for nearly 20 percent of global phosphate trade. According to Xiaoli Etienne, professor at the University of Idaho, nitrogen has taken the biggest hit.
“We have seen as much as 40% increase at the farm gate level for producers. And so for southern Idaho, the number might be a little different, but I suspect it’s very similar magnitude,” Etienne said.
The price increase is affecting farmers’ operating costs. Over 30 percent of operating costs are used to purchase fertilizer, Etienne said.
“You think about your operating costs, over 30% is used to purchase fertilizer. And we see 30 to 40% increase in the fertilizer prices. And combined, that’s a very big impact on the farmers,” she said.
The war with Iran is not the only factor affecting prices. China halted exports of fertilizer to secure their domestic planting season and stopped exporting phosphate as of a couple months ago, Etienne said.
While the U.S. doesn’t directly import phosphate from China, the reduced Chinese supply affects the global market, which ultimately impacts prices in the U.S.
Diesel is another commodity hit by the war that farmers are already feeling at the pump.
“For diesel, that’s a different story. This will probably have a more immediate impact for the producers,” Etienne said.
While farmers can battle fertilizer prices by planting different crops or reducing applications, diesel is different. There’s no substitute.
“They will need to reallocate, right? To make up this added cost, the higher expenses for the diesel. And I think, even a very small percentage change in prices, and let alone there’s a dollar or more than a dollar increase in diesel prices. This war, it’s a very tough situation for the farmers this year,” Etienne said.
Etienne said while 80 percent of farmers secured their fertilizer supply before the war started, a ceasefire won’t immediately solve the issue.
“Even with a ceasefire, or even if the war stops, the production time for fertilizer has already been lost. And that’s a very long supply chain. The impact will show up, still show up. It’s not going to go away,” she said.
Despite the current hardships for farmers, Etienne is optimistic.
“Farmers are resilient. We have seen over and over again farmers are able to overcome all those shocks they’re putting on them,” she said.
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The USDA has issued a public health alert for various meat and poultry products containing FDA-regulated dairy that may have been contaminated with salmonella. The recall was originally issued on April 30th, but the contaminated product list could continue to grow as more products are identified.
The Food Safety and Inspection arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued the public health alert and there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of the products listed below, consumers are still advised to dispose of the items or return them to the place of purchase. Great Value and Pork King Good products sold at Idaho Walmart stores are included in the alert and recall.
Public Health Alert and Food Recall Issued For Pizza and Pork Rinds Sold in Idaho
As of right now, the food list includes pork rinds, breakfast pizzas, and chicken bacon ranch pizzas. The list could grow and the USDA advises consumers to check the list frequently. We will also update the list here when possible. The contaminated products carry a variety of ‘Best By’ and ‘Produced On’ dates, so check the lists carefully to make sure you don’t consume a contaminated product.
The nationwide brands to look for are Mama Cozzi’s from Aldi stores, Pork King Good, and Great Value at Walmart Stores.
Photo Credit USDA – 1
Photo Credit USDA – 1
You can also look through these label photos to see if you have the product in your freezer.
Photo Credit USDA Recalls
Photo Credit USDA Recalls
Photo Credit USDA Recalls
Photo Credit USDA Recalls
Photo Credit USDA Recalls
If you feel sick and have consumed a contaminated product, the USDA advise you to contact your health care provider.
Guy Fieri’s Top Idaho Moments On Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives
Food Network just posted a compilation video of Guy at these spots!
Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola
With Idaho’s primary election coming up, which ballots are Idaho voters eligible to cast? Well, it depends.
The state leaves it up to political parties to decide whether their primary is open or closed.
WATCH: Open or closed? More on Idaho primary elections
Voting in Idaho: What are closed primaries?
The Republican Party has a closed primary, meaning only registered Republican voters can participate. Meanwhile, the Democratic primary is open to all registered voters, regardless of party affiliation.
RELATED | How to register to vote in Idaho
Voters can change affiliation to take part in a different party’s primary, but state law requires voters to switch their affiliation no later than the 12th Friday before the primary, which in the May 2026 election has already passed.
A previously unaffiliated voter can affiliate with a party of their choice on the day of the primary and participate in its primary.
Each voter is only allowed to cast one ballot.
IDAHO FALLS — As a waterfall quietly trickled nearby, the Rotary Club of Idaho Falls and Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation celebrated two new shelters at Heritage Park on Wednesday.
Before a ribbon-cutting ceremony, city leaders and Rotary Club members said the shelters wouldn’t be there if it weren’t for the club’s annual duck race held along the Snake River.
“As you look around at this park and look at the greenbelt, it is a great success for which Rotary has been one of the main drivers,” said Stephen Boorman, president of the Rotary Club. “As we look at these shelters that are here today, they are a success funded by last year’s duck race.”
Wednesday’s event was also the kick-off for the 35th annual duck race in Idaho Falls. A small parade featuring some of this year’s prizes, including a sedan donated by Stone’s KIA and an ATV donated by Idaho Central Credit Union. Ducks will soon be available for sale online or at sales booths around the community this summer, according to a news release.
This year’s race festivities will run from Friday, Aug. 7, to Saturday, Aug. 8. More information can be found on the duck race’s website.
PJ Holm, Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation director, said the two new shelters are part of more than $1 million that the club has donated to the city since 2019 for the purpose of building Heritage Park.
“These shelters aren’t just wooden structures, they’re gathering places where families will celebrate birthdays, or friends will reconnect with each other, where community events will happen and memories will be made,” Holm said.
City leaders also announced that a lodgepole pine has been planted in Heritage Park in recognition of Kevin Call, owner of Farr’s Candy Company and a member of the Rotary Club that helps put on the duck race. Holm said the city will be doing fundraising to place a plaque beside the tree.
“We’re going to dedicate this lodgepole pine to Kevin Call for all of his dedication, all his work, all his commitment to our community,” Holm said.
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