Play8min 55secCurt Ellis meets King CornDecember 7, 2007 4:45 PMBy Euan KerrWhen Curt Ellis and Ian Cheney left college they both felt they weren't ready for desk jobs. Since they like to eat, they wanted to learn more about where our food comes from. They planted an acre of corn in Iowa and filmed what they learned. The resulting documentary is called "King Corn."
Play3min 40secMayo Clinic doctors examine sick pork handlersDecember 7, 2007 4:43 PMBy Sea StachuraDoctors at the Mayo Clinic say they suspect direct contact with pig brains may have caused to the neurological illnesses of workers at Quality Pork Processing in Austin, Minn. Last week the Minnesota Department of Health revealed 11 workers are exhibiting symptoms.
Play4min 27secFarmland is now the hot real estate dealDecember 3, 2007 1:07 AMBy Dan GundersonFarmland prices are rising rapidly. The trend reminds some of the bubble that burst back in the 1980s, setting up many farm foreclosures. Others see nothing but dollar signs on the horizon.
Play3min 26secBiodiesel industry sputteringNovember 30, 2007 4:30 PMBy Mark SteilThese are tough times for farm-based renewable fuels. Biodiesel producers are being squeezed by high soybean prices. Some plants have closed.
Play3min 36secA shortage of hops has beer makers and beer drinkers worriedNovember 23, 2007 1:55 AMBy Tim PostA shortage of hops means it's more expensive for brewers to make beer. That cost is expected to be passed on to beer drinkers in the coming year.
Play4min 33secFree trade pressures the sugar industryNovember 22, 2007 1:18 AMBy Dan GundersonA trade deal that takes effect in January could challenge the U.S. sugar industry. Efforts to help the industry are stalled in Congress.
Play9min 01secFuture of food: vaccines with a peel and printable sushiNovember 20, 2007 4:17 PMMPR's Tom Crann talks to futurist Cecily Sommers about how tomorrow's food is being engineered today. Sommers says a banana a day could soon keep both the doctor and diseases away.
Do we buy ethanol (in Minnesota) because we have to?November 20, 2007 1:55 AMBy Sea StachuraImagine you are driving through the Midwest and you need gasoline. Chances are that gas will have some level of ethanol in it. Many states have required ethanol without asking if consumers want it, or if it's environmentally sound.
Senate blocks $286B farm bill, likely stalling it until next yearNovember 16, 2007 10:35 AMThough politically popular, the bill stalled in a dispute between the parties over unrelated amendments that Republicans wanted to add. Democrats failed to get the 60 votes they needed to cut off debate on the measure.
Play3min 19secSenate farm bill stallsNovember 16, 2007 3:05 AMBy Mark SteilThe Senate hopes to pass a new farm bill before leaving for their Thanksgiving break. Democrats will try to break an impasse over the measure today by limiting debate on the legislation.