Camille Blaylock — Senator Camille Blaylock questions the witness about the sugar beet market’s volatility, asking how historically unstable prices have been and whether federal policy contributed to the sharp market decline.
Todd Lakey — Introduced himself as a state senator from District 23 and described his committee experience.
Todd Lakey — Senator Todd Lakey opens the exchange by thanking the speaker and asking whether Idaho still has hurdles that could be improved or whether the issue is mostly federal. The speaker responds that, at least regarding sugar, it is completely a federal issue.
Julie VanOrden — Introduced herself as representing District 30 and described her farming background and family operation.
Julie VanOrden — Julie VanOrden commented that many pages are doing double duty across committees, including Cooper in Health and Welfare, praised their busy work this year, and then asked Cooper to share his background from Europe.
Julie VanOrden — Senator Van Orden discussed attending a regenerative agriculture tour and described how young farmers in her area are using the practice, continuing the conversation about cover crops and comparing approaches across regions. The exchange concludes with a brief acknowledgment from the chair/presenter, wrapping up the same topic.
Carrie Semmelroth — Introduced herself as representing District 17 and emphasized the importance of agriculture to her constituents.
Carrie Semmelroth — Carrie Semmelroth joked about the Senate's Waffle Wednesday tradition, said Cooper's waffle was delicious, and asked whether he might bring European treats like crepes or croissants because of his background.
Ron Taylor — Introduced himself as representing District 26 and noted agriculture's importance in his district.
Charlie Butler — Charlie Butler introduced himself as a page from Caldwell and shared his background and future plans, including graduating high school, serving a full-time two-year LDS mission, and then pursuing pre-chiropractic studies at BYU Provo.
Cooper Smith — Cooper Smith introduced himself as a page from Nampa who recently moved to Idaho from Spain after his parents retired there and decided he should have an American high school experience. He explained that he joined the page program for the experience, to build personal and business skills, and because his friend Jace needed a buddy. He said he plans to attend college in Paris to study international business, has enjoyed the experience so far, played football for the first time this year, and is serving on four committees. In response to a light question about his European background, he said he could bring European-style treats such as crepes or croissants.
Zach Patterson — Zach Patterson is introduced as one of several presenters for the sugar industry update, then begins his remarks by identifying himself as a sugar beet grower from Paul, Idaho and president of the Snake River Sugar Beet Growers Association. He notes that it is Sugar Beet Day at the Capitol and that attendees will see participants walking down with gifts for legislators.
Cody Uri — Cody Uri introduced himself as a farmer from Twin Falls, Idaho, and said he farms with his family south of Twin Falls.
Casey Stevenson — Introduced himself as a fourth-generation farmer from Rupert.
Galen Lee — Introduced himself as a fourth-generation farmer from New Plymouth.
Honovan Hartley — Introduced himself as a third-generation farmer.
Mike Garner — Introduced himself as a farmer from Raft River and said his son would be presenting.
Unnamed sugar beet grower speaker — The witness describes severe economic hardship facing farmers, saying that loan renewals and projected costs/incomes are looking worse this year. He says the farm economy is the worst he has seen since 2003, with low morale and markets falling apart. He then gives specific examples of declining commodity returns: sugar beets have dropped from about $2,400 an acre to roughly $1,500 an acre, hay has fallen from $250 to $135 a ton, and corn silage from $60 to $40 a ton, emphasizing that costs remain the same while income has fallen sharply across the board.
Jake — The speaker says Jake will present next and explain what happened to the sugar market.
Nathan Garner — Nathan Garner introduces himself and begins testimony on regenerative agriculture and soil health. He explains that his farm adopted precision planting and strip-till to improve yield consistency and reduce costs, then moved into cover crops after noticing the effects of leaving fields idle. He describes how reduced tillage, cover crops, and livestock/manure integration can improve soil structure, organic matter, water penetration, and worm activity, while also noting that practices must be tailored to goals such as potato production, soil breakup, or feed. Garner presents soil sample comparisons to argue that southern Idaho farmers are improving soil health even in a desert environment, but he also acknowledges practical constraints such as water reductions, market pressures, and the increased reliance on precision technology, GMO traits, and herbicides that can come with reduced-tillage systems.
Jake from Amalgamated — The speaker says Jake from Amalgamated will explain what happened to the sugar market.
Jake Hancock — Jake Hancock introduced himself as a Boise-based vice president of commercial and supply chain for Amalgamated Sugar and then asked the chair for permission to acknowledge someone in the audience before continuing.
Mr. Hancock — Mr. Hancock is thanked for his testimony and then engages in a sustained discussion about the sugar industry’s import sources, the effects of inflation and changing price structures, and whether shifts in demand are temporary or structural. He explains that GLP-1 drugs and changing dietary patterns are affecting consumption, but he does not expect those effects to be permanent and believes sugar consumption should grow over time with population growth. He also discusses the need to rework the federal sugar program to ensure domestic production covers about 85% of domestic consumption and emphasizes the importance of accurate consumption estimates and continued efforts to improve efficiency and productivity in the industry. The exchange ends with additional thanks for his information and participation.
Tammy Nichols — As chair, Tammy Nichols opened and guided the committee’s discussion with Mr. Hancock on sugar policy, asking how the state should adjust going forward in light of health-related cultural concerns and the importance of the industry to the state economy. After Hancock’s response, she invited any additional questions or comments, thanked him for his testimony, and then closed the meeting by noting the committee had covered its business for the day and adjourning.
Christy Zito — Christy Zito is introduced as the committee’s vice chair and then introduces herself as Senator for Legislative District 8, providing a brief personal and professional introduction that includes her agricultural background.
Christy Zito — The chair briefly passes the gavel to Vice Chair Christy Zito, who gives a procedural update on the rules review process. She explains that the secretary prepared and tabbed binders for each member, asks everyone to review their assigned rules and come prepared with questions, and notes that the timing for discussing the rules is still being finalized. The chair then thanks her and the secretary for the work before transitioning to the next agenda item.
Dave Lent — Introduced himself as Senator Lent from District 33 and noted his experience and FFA background.
Camille Blaylock — Camille Blaylock introduced herself as representing District 11 in Caldwell and noted this was her second session on the Agriculture Committee. She then addressed Charlie Butler, joking about his appearance, and asked him questions about what motivated him to participate in the page program.
Camille Blaylock — Zach referenced Senator Blaylock while discussing the gifts brought for the committee.
Tammy Nichols — Senator Tammy Nichols introduced herself at the meeting, identifying as the chair and providing her district and constituency details, including District 10 and the Middleton, Star, and Nampa areas.
Tammy Nichols — The chair is addressing Cooper and opening the floor for questions.