U.S. Senate candidates go country at FarmfestAugust 1, 2006 11:00 PMBy Mark SteilThe candidates for Minnesota's U.S. Senate seat sparred over agriculture policy today at Farmfest near Redwood Falls. Republican Mark Kennedy and Democrat Amy Klobuchar both said it may be a good idea to extend current federal agriculture programs instead of writing a new farm bill next year. They disagreed over which one is the true friend of the farmer.
Drought damages corn cropJuly 28, 2006 5:00 PMBy Mark SteilCorn farmers dealing with drought may have another problem, low prices. Corn prices have declined in recent weeks because traders believe there's enough grain on hand to meet demand.
Drought forces ranchers to make tough decisionJuly 25, 2006 12:00 AMBy Bob RehaDrought conditions in northwest Minnesota and the Red River Valley are hurting farmers and ranchers. The dry weather isn't just damaging crops and reducing yields, it also has some ranchers selling off cattle.
Poor spring wheat harvest may mean higher bread and cereal pricesJuly 23, 2006 3:00 PMBy Cara HetlandThe harvest of winter wheat is just finishing up and combines will move over to the spring wheat harvest this week or early next. Farmers expect $5 per bushel this year. That's up $1.50 over last year. Consumers are seeing an increase in the grocery store but the reason for that might surprise you.
Farmer, world, push conservation spendingJuly 21, 2006 2:00 PMBy Mark SteilFarm subsidies are becoming so expensive some people expect significant changes in federal agricultural policy. If that happens, land and water conservation programs may benefit.
Dry conditions hit some crops hardJuly 18, 2006 12:00 AMBy Mark SteilMinnesota crops suffered more damage last week as hot, mostly dry conditions dominated the weather. The weekly crop report says corn has been especially hard hit.
South Dakota fields look like winter in JulyJuly 14, 2006 12:00 AMFarmers and ranchers from central and western part of state are angry about the fifth year in a row without a crop due to drought. They're selling off livestock because there's no grass to graze. Gov. Mike Rounds asked for disaster declaration for 20 counties and the federal government said farmers could cut hay and graze cattle on land set aside for conservation programs.
Research study shows biodiesel greener than ethanolJuly 11, 2006 9:21 AMBy Cathy WurzerA University of Minnesota study shows that ethanol may not dramatically change the nation's dependence on foreign oil, and it may not be as friendly to the environment as some supporters have claimed.
Drought called 'catastrophic' for region's farmersJuly 10, 2006 6:34 PMBy Tom CrannFarmers and ranchers in the Dakotas and western Minnesota are facing their fourth and fifth year of abnormally dry weather. U.S. Sen. Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota calls the recent dry spell in the region "catastrophic."
Rain needed across much of the regionJuly 5, 2006 5:25 PMBy Dan GundersonDrought has settled in across parts of the Dakotas, and dry conditions threaten Minnesota crops.