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ROCKFORD, Idaho (KIFI) – Rising costs from the conflict in Iran are putting the squeeze on Idaho farmers.

“The farmers are very much concerned about this war in Iran because it is impacting our fertilizer prices and also our fuel prices,” said Brian Murdock, a prominent advocate for agriculture. “All energy and all production of oil and gas has an impact back to the farmers.”

The Strait of Hormuz, a thirty-mile wide stretch of water bordered by Iran and Oman, provides Iran with a strategic chokepoint for global trade.

The strait’s partial closure has cut off half of the world’s exports of urea, thirty percent of ammonia, and twenty percent of the world’s oil. 

Urea is a major component in nitrogen fertilizer used for potatoes, wheat, and other crops.

“We all very much will feel this war,” Murdock continued. “…We could definitely see higher fertilizer prices and we will see higher diesel prices, and that will just cut down the margin of any profitability we have a chance of making this year.”

While fertilizer costs eight to ten percent more than last year, rates could increase dramatically once current stockpiles in Idaho run out.

“Just mainly getting nervous,” said Mark Morgan, a crop advisor. “We know that prices are increasing, so it could have an impact later on. But as far as this spring now, we’ve got most of what we need already here, already ordered.”

Meanwhile, the American Automobile Association’s Idaho office reports that diesel has jumped from $3.67 a gallon in February to $5.24 a gallon today.

The sudden spike directly impacts farmers’ production, inputs, and shipping costs.

But despite the uncertainty with prices and in Iran, farmers are already hard at work planting their crops in this year’s warm weather.

“This is farming, and every farmer that’s doing it – they know the game,” Murdock said. “This is not a new drill. They’ve been through this more than once.”

Some record-high temperatures could occur this afternoon and tomorrow as we welcome a warm start to springtime in Eastern Idaho and Western Wyoming. Winds will pick up throughout the afternoon, with an advisory in effect surrounding the Gallatin National Forest in Montana.

High clouds will drift through the region and push North as we jump into Tuesday afternoon. No weather hazards or impacts are expected. Winds in the Upper Snake Plain could bring a small amount of blowing dust today, but not nearly what we saw two weekends ago. Highs will reach the mid- to upper 70s this afternoon, breaking records and creating seasonal serotonin (for those who prefer warmer seasons).

A similar pattern will carry over into Wednesday morning and afternoon. Expect winds, especially North of the Snake River Plain, to increase with gusts hitting around the 35 mph mark. Little to no amount of precipitation is expected. High temperatures will sit in the 70s once again around the region, making it feel like a warm fast-forward through the spring.

Thursday is when a minor cold front will advance into our region, dropping temperatures to be with highs in the upper 50s. Chances of precipitation are limited mainly to the Island Park region. Winds will shift mainly into the Magic Valley at this time, as our region’s wind speeds will fall back down into the teens and 20s. Dry cold front finishes out the week ahead.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Two local homeschooling families teamed up to form a LEGO robotics group, and their project is really clicking into place.

After competing at the regional and state level, they’re headed cross country to their biggest competition yet.

Fun in Massachusetts

Team member Steve Eastman has been eagerly building up to this moment. “I’m really excited because it’s our first time going to nationals and it’s all the way in Massachusetts…it’s just going to be really fun. There’s going to be a lot of teams.”

MORE THAN PLASTIC

Their robot may be made of plastic bricks — but the technology behind it is serious. It’s powered by multiple motors, guided by sensors, and programmed to follow a map across the competition board. The engine powdered robot has to complete up to 15 tasks per competition.

Eastman claims he’s built up a serious log of hours working on it to get it battle-ready.

“Over 100. Definitely worth it.”

MULTIPLE COMPONENTS

The kids have to assemble the LEGO parts and code the movements. And the robotics challenge is only part of the competition. Teams also present an innovation project, and Team Packman built an archaeology website to help people find dig sites and learn about the past. They’ve even traveled to places like Chicago to get hands-on learning experiences to be able to enhance the app–something they feel might not have been possible if they weren’t homeschooled and had the flexibility in their schedule.

KIDS BUILD CONFIDENCE TOO

Even though both of their dads have STEM backgrounds–a civil engineer and a software engineer–the kids didn’t take the easy way out.

Proud Dad, Michael Packer says, “One thing great about this year was the kids really did everything themselves. I remember leading up to state, my son came to me, and he was having trouble with some of the code. And I go to help him, and like, I don’t know this code any better than you do. The kids wrote every line of code. They built the robots themselves, which was awesome.”

Along the way, parents say the kids built something else, too — confidence.

Packer beams, “Throughout the fundraising, I’ve seen the kids come a lot more comfortable with going out there talking to adults, pitching their ideas, sharing their projects. And it’s been really cool to see their confidence grow as well.”

The group ranges in age from 9 to 14, with older students teaching the younger ones.

Packer explains, “It’s also been a good opportunity for the older kids to mentor and guide the younger kids.”

FUNDRAISING: ANOTHER BRIDGE TO BUILD

The entrance fee for the competition is $2000, not to mention the plane tickets and travel expenses. So, everyone is pitching in. The kids have done odd jobs around the neighborhood and baked bread.

They’ve also got several sponsors and will be hosting a fundraiser at Homestead Bowling on March 30.

You can learn more about their fundraising and their club at their website or see the flyer below.

HOPING FOR A GOOD TIME

The national competition will be three days, and when asked what they hope to have happen, Eastman’s answer was simple and sweet: “I just hope we have a really good time.”

REXBURG, Idaho – Gov. Brad Little emphasized the recent tax relief delivered in Idaho at a Multi-County Republican Lincoln Banquet Saturday at Madison High School.

“Idaho has been leading. We’ve delivered $4.6 billion in tax relief in just the past few years,” said Gov. Brad Little. “Why? Because we believe money belongs in the pockets of the people who earned it. We’re proving something very important. Something the rest of country needs to hear. You can invest in your priorities, grow your economy, and still give money back to your citizens.”

Since he was first elected Governor, K-12 education funding has increased 70 percent, he said, while crime in the state is down 17 percent.

Republicans from six counties – Clark, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison and Teton – gathered to hear from the state’s leaders.

“How impressive it is to participate in this, in this, Lincoln Day tonight with the six counties,” said Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke. “This community always producers top-notch educators and legislators. …It’s worth noting that we’ve had decades of good, strong Republican conservative [leadership] – but not just conservative blindly – budget-keeping, pragmatic, doing-the-right-thing year in and year out – the blocking and tackling as it were of government – and we’ve done that for years.”

The Brigham Young University-Idaho Men’s Chorus performed “The Star Spangled Banner” a capella and “Inkosi Namamandla,” a Zulu hymn from South Africa.

Messages from U.S. Senators Jim Risch, Mike Crapo and Republican data strategist Daniel Silver were also shared. 

“Let’s keep Idaho strong,” Little said. “Let’s keep Idaho free, and let’s keep the American spirit alive for generations to come.”