U.S. ag secretary meets with Minnesota farmersAugust 4, 2005 6:52 AMFarmers are tuned into the debate over the next farm bill. They demonstrated their interest at a public meeting Wednesday at Farmfest, near Redwood Falls, which was hosted by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns.
The subsidy factor in land salesAugust 3, 2005 7:40 AMOne of the factors driving near-record farmland prices may be federal crop subsidies. The top subsidy recipients are also among the top land buyers.
Too wet in some areas; too dry in othersAugust 2, 2005 12:01 AMMinnesotans love to talk about the extremes in the weather. This year, those extremes -- too dry in the south, too wet in the northwest -- have left some farmers wondering if they can survive another year.
Consumers have mixed reaction to reopening U.S. border to Canadian cattleJuly 27, 2005 11:04 AMConsumer reaction is mixed to lifting of the ban on Canadian cattle imports to the U.S.
Flooded fields cause crop disasterJuly 15, 2005 2:59 PMPersistent heavy rain is causing widespread crop damage in northwest Minnesota. A report will go to Gov. Pawlenty next week in preparation for seeking a federal disaster declaration.
Tracing the source of bovine TB outbreak could take weeksJuly 14, 2005 5:19 PMA herd of 900 cattle in northern Minnesota will be destroyed to prevent the spread of bovine tuberculosis. Agriculture officials are confident the outbreak was caught in time to keep it from spreading.
Farmers using more crop consultantsJuly 13, 2005 12:01 AMAgriculture is becoming so specialized that many farmers hire consultants. During the summer the consultant's main focus is crop health.
Canadian ranchers rebuild beef marketJune 30, 2005 12:01 AMCanadian cattle ranchers are struggling with the impact of the continued U.S. ban on their livestock. Some say the ban could actually make the beef industry in Canada stronger and less dependent on the U.S.
Rain swamps farm fieldsJune 20, 2005 1:34 PMExcessive rainfall is damaging crops across Minnesota. Some top state agriculture officials plan to tour west central and northwest Minnesota to survey the damage.
Minnesota farmers prepare for soybean rustMay 31, 2005 12:01 AMAgriculture experts have been watching a disease called soybean rust hop around the globe for decades. Now, some Minnesota farmers are preparing for the arrival of soy rust.