Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago
Why are grocery prices changing and what’s really happening behind the scenes in Idaho agriculture? While headlines point to record revenues, the financial reality for producers is far more complex.
In this episode of The Vandal Theory, Brett Wilder, assistant professor and Extension educator in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology at University of Idaho, breaks down the forces shaping Idaho’s agricultural economy. He explains why the industry is experiencing what he calls a “tale of two economies,” exploring key sectors — including beef, grains and potatoes — along with the impact of tariffs and shifting market dynamics.
Chapters:
0:00 How much are you spending on groceries?
02:20 Getting to know Brett Wilder
03:11 Ag economic impact in Idaho
09:59 Beef economics in Idaho
14:48 Grains economics in Idaho
20:01 Potato economics in Idaho
22:46 Impact of tariffs on agriculture
25:50 Final thoughts
Learn more about Brett: https://www.uidaho.edu/people/bwilder
Get to know the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology: https://www.uidaho.edu/agricultural-life-sciences/academics/agricultural-economics-rural-sociology
Listen to more episodes: https://uidaho.edu/newsroom/the-vandal-theory
#Agriculture #AgEconomics #Idaho #FoodPrices #FarmEconomy #UniversityOfIdaho #Extension
Why are grocery prices changing and what’s really happening behind the scenes in Idaho agriculture? While headlines point to record revenues, the financial reality for producers is far more complex.
In this episode of The Vandal Theory, Brett Wilder, assistant professor and Extension educator in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology at University of Idaho, breaks down the forces shaping Idaho’s agricultural economy. He explains why the industry is experiencing what he calls a “tale of two economies,” exploring key sectors — including beef, grains and potatoes — along with the impact of tariffs and shifting market dynamics.
Chapters:
0:00 How much are you spending on groceries?
02:20 Getting to know Brett Wilder
03:11 Ag economic impact in Idaho
09:59 Beef economics in Idaho
14:48 Grains economics in Idaho
20:01 Potato economics in Idaho
22:46 Impact of tariffs on agriculture
25:50 Final thoughts
Learn more about Brett: https://www.uidaho.edu/people/bwilder
Get to know the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology: https://www.uidaho.edu/agricultural-life-sciences/academics/agricultural-economics-rural-sociology
Listen to more episodes: https://uidaho.edu/newsroom/the-vandal-theory
#Agriculture #AgEconomics #Idaho #FoodPrices #FarmEconomy #UniversityOfIdaho #Extension
