Play2min 47secNOAA says Dead Zone could be largest everJuly 17, 2007 3:00 AMBy Mark SteilFederal officials estimate this year's Gulf of Mexico's "dead zone" could be the largest ever measured. One cause for the larger than normal dead zone could be an increase this year in the size of the nation's corn crop.
Play3min 56secFarmers worry ethanol mergers in the futureJuly 10, 2007 9:00 AMBy Mark SteilThe face of the ethanol industry could change in the next year if analysts predicting a wave of mergers are correct. An expected over-supply of the corn-based fuel could trigger industry consolidation.
Play2min 23secWeekend rain helped some - but not all - farmersJuly 9, 2007 5:30 PMBy Tim PostThe USDA's latest weekly crop report says for the most part Minnesota farm fields are doing well. But in some parts of the region a lack of rain is starting to hurt crop development. Fifty-six percent of the state's soil is rated short or very short of moisture.
Hot, dry weekend is no help for farmersJuly 7, 2007 8:06 PMThe inch or so of rain that fell in central Minnesota earlier this week helped. But farmers say they need more in the critical upcoming days if they hope to salvage a crop.
NW Minn. bull dies of anthraxJuly 6, 2007 11:45 AMA bull in Marshall County has died from anthrax - marking the first case of the disease in 2007, authorities confirmed.
Phosphorus strategy relies on good willJune 29, 2007 3:00 AMBy Sea StachuraThe phosphorus in Minnesota's farm fields is feeding more than the crops. It's also feeding Minnesota's algae blooms. The MPCA is struggling to control the problem.
Minnesota JOBZ program faces another lawsuitJune 27, 2007 4:46 PMBy Tim PugmireGov. Tim Pawlenty's pet economic development program is facing another legal challenge. Ten companies and individuals announced a lawsuit Wednesday that challenges the constitutionality of the Minnesota JOBZ program. They say the program gives an unfair advantage to their competitors who benefit from JOBZ.
Brewing fuel down on the farmJune 27, 2007 2:00 PMBy Dan GundersonSome northern Minnesota farmers hope to significantly reduce their need for imported fuel. The farmers are working with the University of Minnesota to use the canola seed they harvest to make fuel to run their tractors.
Play4min 04secAgencies wrestle with phosphorus controlJune 27, 2007 3:00 AMBy Sea StachuraPhosphorus makes the algae in Minnesota's lakes bloom, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is struggling to limit all of its sources.
Play3min 59secIowa pushes organic farming to fill demand gapJune 25, 2007 12:00 PMBy Mark SteilFarmers in the Sioux City, Iowa area are being encouraged to switch to organic crop production. If it works, the new producers will join a growing industry.