Twin Falls Research and Extension Center

Twin Falls Research and Extension Center

The Twin Falls Research and Extension Center conducts research and Extension projects related to agricultural and range economics, agricultural waste management, 4-H youth development and minor use pesticide development.

The center is located on the College of Southern Idaho campus and supports UI Extension and agricultural research programs in south central Idaho. Collaborative relationships with numerous partners result in a vast array of innovative educational programs. Major research and Extension programs are conducted on agriculture, natural resources, youth, economics and environmental issues.

2+2 online agriculture degree

The University of Idaho, in partnership with the College of Southern Idaho, offer a 2+2 agricultural science, communication and leadership degree program in Twin Falls. Courses are delivered through live instruction, DVD, videoconferencing and online.

Contact Amanda Moore-Kriwox for more information.

Agricultural economics

The Agricultural Economics program at the Twin Falls Research and Extension Center focuses on the economics of dairy and livestock, crops and rangeland. Program areas include:

Farm business analysis and risk management

• Dairy and livestock economic and market analysis, including outlooks
• Crop economic and market analysis, including outlooks

Economic analysis of grazing and other rangeland and natural resource uses

For more information contact

• Hernan Tejeda at 208-736-3622 or htejeda@uidaho.edu (dairy and livestock economics)
• Pat Hatzenbuehler at 208-736-3607 or phatzenbuehler@uidaho.edu (crop economics)
• Jessica Windh at 208-736-3621 or jwindh@uidaho.edu (rangeland economics)

The program provides support and collaborates with Extension education faculty to inform farmers, ranch operators and stakeholders involved with beef cattle, dairy, sheep, various Idaho crops and forage production.

Agricultural waste management

The Agricultural Waste Management program at the Twin Falls Research and Extension Center focuses on ways to cope with animal manure management on issues related to environmental quality, nutrient management and value-added products. The intent is to address the needs of stakeholders through development, evaluation and application of advanced techniques to maintain the sustainability of animal productions.

The Extension program is designed to provide research-based educational information to clientele about waste management techniques through various publications, demonstrations and presentations.

Current research

Anaerobic digestion of manure, potato waste and sugar beets waste (supported by USDA and U of I)

• Develop a bench-scale AD system to test diverse feedstocks and conduct Extension demonstrations.
• Characterize different AD feedstocks and evaluate their biogas potential under various AD and co-AD conditions.
• Conduct Extension activities to assist stakeholders in making better decisions regarding AD and greenhouse gas emissions.

Mitigating odor emissions using biofilters (supported by USDA)

• Evaluate biofilters at swine sites to demonstrate biofiltration effects on mitigating odor and gas emissions from fan exhaust air
• Develop on-farm biofilter design manual

Compost (supported by USDA)

• Compost for manure management

Dairy manure collection and land application (supported by USDA)

• Manure management
• Odor and gas emissions
• Manure nutrients

Mitigation of gas emission from manure (supported by private companies)

• Test diverse products’ effects on gas emissions

For more information contact Lide Chen at 208-736-3615 or lchen@uidaho.edu.

Minor use pesticides

University of Idaho’s Minor Use Pesticide Development program is unique in the Pacific Northwest. The State of Idaho’s concern over the lack of safe and effective agrichemicals for the protection of relatively low acreage, specialty crops in the state resulted in the creation of a U of I position for a minor use pesticide development specialist.

The specialist must follow Good Laboratory Practices during all phases of pesticide residue testing. Residue data from these tests support petitions for pesticide registrations with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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