Introduction

The agricultural industry in Elmore County employs 6% of the total work force. The total acreage in farm land is 355,590 acres with the average farm size of 1,181 acres. Based on agricultural data collected by the State of Idaho, the annual market value of farm products sold by Elmore County farmers and ranchers is $220,121,000. Agricultural land values and productions are prime foundations of Elmore County’s economic prosperity and its value index. The establishment of Carmela Winery in Glenns Ferry,

near Three Island State Park and other aesthetic landscapes are attracting tourists from all over the United States into Elmore County.

Elmore County consists of 67.4% and 6.1 % State land and 26.5 % private land. The State Department of Fish and Game holds approximately 6,716 acres of land in the County. Idaho ranks fourth in the nation for public land with 2,762,309 acres.

Cattle

Cattle represent a significant share of the county’s agricultural economy. Elmore County presents an ideal situation for cow-calf operator, as nearly 75% of the land in the County is federally and state owned. Ranchers can graze on federal land six to eight months out of the year. The average value per head of cattle is $1,240. In 2007 Elmore County had 135,000 head of cattle (total value $2,628,800) broken down as follows:

21,000 beef

99,500 calves, bulls, steers and heifers

14,500 dairy cows

There is a major commercial feed lot in the County with a capacity of approximately 150,000 head. Japan is becoming one of the major exporters of beef from Elmore County.

Potatoes

Elmore County is the largest potato growing area in southwest Idaho. In 2005 there were 8,790 acres of potatoes grown in the County with an average yield of 459 hundred cwt., with some fields averaging 400-500 cwt per acre. The total production was 4,080,000 cwt. About 85% of the potatoes are sold on contract to processors; the remaining are sold on open market, either as fresh or processed. All of the potatoes are grown under sprinkler irrigation, which is obtained from deep wells or lift pumps from the Snake River. Since 1984 the University of Idaho, Elmore County Extension Office has had five different applied field trials and training programs which have saved $940,000 for the potato growers in Elmore County. 18

Sugar Beets

Sugar beets constitute an important agricultural commodity in Elmore County. In 2006 10,600 acres were planted to sugar beets and 10,500 acres were harvested with a total production of 328,000 tons. The average yield per acre was 31.2 tons/acre. Yields have increased by 40% in the last twenty-five years due to improved irrigation, fertilization and pest control practices. Beets from our area are processed at the Amalgamated Plant in Nampa.

With on-going financial support from Elmore and Owyhee Beet Growers, Elmore County has conducted three applied research and extension demonstration projects.

Alfalfa Hay

Elmore County ranks among the highest in hay yield per acre among all the counties in Idaho. In 2006 hay yields in Elmore County averaged 4.94 tons/acre, with over 44,000 acres planted to alfalfa hay. The total yield in 2006 was 217,500 tons. Over 70% of the hay produced in the County is shipped out of the Country, with some going to Japan. In 1990 one local hay marketer sold over $3,000,000 worth of hay outside of Elmore County. Most of the hay in the County is raised under irrigation.

Production of Alfalfa in Elmore County ranges from 250 to 850 pounds per acre and averages 500 pounds per acre.

Beans

Beans grown in Elmore County are used for seed of both field (dry-edible) and (snap garden) bean types. The principle dry beans grown include varieties of pinto, great northern, red Mexican (small red) and California pink. Variety of kidney and small white pea beans are also produced in limited quantities.

During 2006 Elmore County growers planted 1,000 acres of commercial dried beans with an average yield of 2,300 pounds and a total production of 23,000 cwt. Bean seed grown in Idaho is generally in greater demand than that grown in other states because of its disease-free quality

Small Grain Cereals

Wheat and Barley are being grown mainly with sprinkler irrigation as a cash crop and as a main rotation crop with potatoes. Some oats are grown for grain, but the majority is harvested while still green for hay. Based on the 1996 County crop statistics for all irrigated wheat, 12,900 acres were harvested with an average yield per harvested acre of 95.5 bushels and a total production of 1,264,000 bushels. 19

In 2006 statistics for barley show 500 harvested acres, with an average yield of 70 bushels per acre and a total production of 35,000 bushels.

As a result of the cereal nursery research conducted by the University of Idaho personnel during the past ten years, farmers are familiarizing themselves with new varieties of wheat and barley that provide greater yields in the local environment.

Sheep and Lamb

There were 1,500 sheep and lambs in Elmore County in 2006. The average value per head is $85.00, with a total value of $128,700. The lambs are sold locally at livestock auctions in the Treasure Valley and Magic Valley areas. The average weight of fleece in 2006 is 9.2 lbs with prices averaging 71¢ per pound.

Alternative Agricultural Crops

In 2007 1,500 acres of mint were grown in Elmore County. The mint is processed at a locally owned distillery. Mint has been a good cash crop for the past few years, but requires a great deal of special care with regard to pest control, irrigation and fertilizer application.

Watermelon and cantaloupe are raised in the eastern and southern portion of the County. The fruit is of excellent quality and is sold locally.

Forests

In the 2000 fiscal year, the timber harvest in Elmore County was 11.48 million board feet with a value of $1,123,675.00. An additional 1 to 2 million board feet was cut for firewood. Over 25%, or 645,352 acres, of the land in Elmore County is forested. The annual contribution to the Elmore County economy from the timber industry is estimated in the millions and primary species of trees harvested in the County are Ponderosa Pine and Douglas Fir.

Vineyards

Since 1968 Elmore County has established two wineries, Carmela and Cold Springs, which are some of the highest elevations in Pacific Northwest. There are 81 acres of grapes with varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Johannesburg Riesling, Pinot Gris, Viogner, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Pranillo. 20

Elmore County Dairy

Elmore County provides a more than suitable situation for the establishment of Dairy Production.

I. Zoning

A. A conditional use permit is required for dairy establishments in Elmore County. (For information contact Elmore County Planning and Zoning Department.)

B. There are areas ranging from 2,000 to 8,000 acres which are suitable for dairies. These areas are not residential.

2. Favorable Climate

A. Elmore County’s topography consists of 60% mountainous and 40% high desert and provides for diversification, not only in scenery, but also in climate. Three sites in the County record weather conditions: Atlanta in the mountains, and Mountain Home and Glenns Ferry in the sage brush desert. The weather observers at these three locations report vastly differing conditions.

B. Average annual precipitation varies between 25.2" in Atlanta, to 8.8" in Mountain Home. Approximately 50% of all precipitation is recorded between February and June. July is typically the month with the least amount of precipitation. Atlanta has an average of seventy-six days with one tenth of an inch of precipitation, while Glenns Ferry has only thirty-five days.

C. The amount of annual snowfall in Elmore County varies greatly. Atlanta records the highest average annual snow fall of 113.2", while Mountain Home averages only 13.6". It is rare for the high plains desert to see measurable snow fall before November or after April. The Mountain Home area has a 52% chance of a 3" snow depth in January and 21% chance for February.

D. In July and August there is an 80-85% chance of sunshine in Elmore County. Glenns Ferry can boast of 290 days a year of sunshine. The months with the least cloud cover occur between June and September.

E. Wind speeds average six miles or less 39% of the time and 7-15 miles per hour 41% of the time. Damaging winds are rare. Wind directions are quite variable, but predominantly they blow from the Northwest and occasionally from East to East-Northwest. Strong winds are generally from the west to northwest. February through April are the windiest months with a wind speed of 22 mph or greater occurring 4% of the time. Thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds occur most frequently in June and July. 21

3. Availability of Alfalfa and Silage

B. 72% of the dairy-quality alfalfa hay produced in Elmore County is currently shipped outside of the USA.

C. Within a twenty-five mile radius there are approximately 6,000 acres available and economically feasible for corn silage production if there is a market established such as dairies.

D. Area farmers are anxious to grow barley and alfalfa for local markets. Straw will be readily available when Barley is grown. Alfalfa grown in Elmore County is unequaled in quality and nutrients.

E. Feed commodities are locally available and will be delivered by local companies.