Agriculture

Officials warn farmers to be wary of bad seeds
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is warning farmers to be wary of bad seed this spring.
The bovine TB challenge
Minnesota faces new sanctions if another case of bovine TB is found. State and federal officials are talking about ways to ease the economic impact on farmers and ranchers.
Hog producers losing money
These are difficult days for hog producers. They're not getting much for their pigs and it's costing a lot more to feed the animals.
Texan film director travels to Minnesota looking for votes
It's not just the presidential contenders who are coming to Minnesota looking for votes. Texas director Chris Eska is in Minneapolis to show his film "August Evening" to local moviemakers. Eska hopes the screening will bring in votes for his film which is nominated in two categories in this year's Independent Spirit Awards.
Weak dollar fuels growth in ag exports
A weaker dollar is helping exports of farm equipment. North Dakota firms exported nearly $500 million in implements last year, double 2000 numbers.
Organic famers meet hoping to tackle their biggest challenges
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture kicks off a two day conference on organic farming today in St. Cloud, Minn.
Ag demand drives Cargill profits up 44 percent
Agribusiness giant Cargill said on Monday that second-quarter profits jumped 44 percent as it continued to benefit from strong demand for food commodities. It earned $954 million during the second quarter.
Rochester Meat Co. has recalled about 188,000 pounds of ground beef patties and some other products because of E. coli bacteria concerns.
Rising soybean prices may lead farmers to switch crops in 2008
Corn was king last year, so many farmers grew more corn than soybeans. That, in turn, has caused soybean futures to surge 84 percent in the past year.
Sara Paretsky revisits 'Bleeding Kansas'
After writing a string of hard-boiled detective novels featuring private eye V.I. Warshawski, author Sara Paretsky is returning to her roots. Her new novel, "Bleeding Kansas," is set in a small town on the prairie.