Agriculture

Farmers' love affair with genetically-modified crops is growing. The latest debate is over a new genetically-modified wheat variety, which is being developed by Monsanto. Monsanto is one of the largest distributors of high-tech crops. But farmers are urging Monsanto to keep Roundup Ready wheat in the laboratory.
Farmers across the state are eager for the weather to settle so they can plant their crops. Machinery is rolled out of the shed and prepped for work. It's time to act on plans developed over the winter. Spring is a time for optimism on the farm. This year is no exception.
Minnesota's dairy industry is at a crossroads. Some farmers say the future is in getting bigger -- milking more cows. Not everyone agrees. One group, the Land Stewardship Project, has spearheaded the opposing viewpoint.
State agriculture officials say Minnesota could benefit from a new wave of European immigrants, but isn't. Many European dairy farmers are selling their farms and moving to the United States. However, current law keeps those farmers from buying land in Minnesota. Agriculture officials want to change that. They say European farmers have the desire to buy failing Minnesota dairy farms. But some say the state shouldn't lay out the welcome mat for foreigners while Minnesota dairy farmers are struggling.
Minnesota's dairy industry is going through historic change -- for the worse. In the last 20 years, 72 percent of the state's dairy farmers have left the business. Some say Minnesota needs larger scale farms, but many disagree.
Charles Hann is managing principal of Dairy Finance Associates in Minneapolis. Here are his thoughts on how to strengthen Minnesota's dairy industry.
A list of resources and links with more information on the dairy industry in Minnesota and the upper Midwest.
Dave Minar runs Cedar Summit Farm near New Prague and is a member of the Land Stewardship Project. Here are his thoughts about how to strengthen the dairy industry in Minnesota.
Minnesota lawmakers have voted down proposed changes in state pesticide laws. The legislation would have expanded monitoring for pesticides in groundwater and would have made pesticide data public. It also would have increased fees paid by chemical companies who do business in the state. The legislation failed to pass House and Senate Agriculture committees Wednesday.
Several memos clearly outline the limitations that the state Agriculture Department faces in testing and monitoring for a variety of pesticides and other agricultural chemicals.