Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now

Agriculture

University aims to thwart terrorist threats to food supply

Security must extend from the farmer to the fork as the government works to ensure that the nation's food supply is kept safe from terrorists, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said on Tuesday at the University of Minnesota.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Farmers made money in 2003

New figures show that most Minnesota farmers made a healthy profit last year. That's a big change from a few years ago, when many farmers struggled to stay in business. A study by farm management specialists in the state university system looked at about 2,300 farms, and found their average profit in 2003 was $67,000.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Things are looking profitable for Minnesota farmers

As temperatures warm up, Minnesota farmers are ready to head into the fields for spring planting. This year farmers have reason to be optimistic. Prices for the Minnesota's two major crops, corn and soybeans, are close to all-time highs.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Officials test waffle plan for flood control

For years residents of the Red River Valley have struggled with floods. Cities and towns have spent millions of dollars building dikes and diversion projects in an attempt to stay dry. Now researchers are working on a new approach to flood protection, patterned after a waffle.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Milk: it does a political body good

A future dairy farmer came up with a proposal that would make it easier for him to start his own dairy farm. The idea has piqued the interest of some Minnesota legislators.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Jury says hog odors not a nuisance

Farmers in southern Minnesota are welcoming a jury verdict which cleared a hog producer of allegations that his livestock caused nuisance odors. A New Ulm couple claimed fumes from hog manure stored on the farm were so offensive they were forced to move. The jury said hog odors are not a nuisance.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Growing a crop of houses

Some Stearns County farmers are upset with a neighbor's plans for his land. A dairy farmer north of Melrose wants permission to do something unusual. He'd like to seed a crop of houses where corn and soybeans would usually grow. The landowner says because of the slumping farm economy, it's the best way to make money from his dairy farm. His neighbors say houses don't belong in a farm field in the middle of prime dairy country. The issue is forcing Stearns County officials to plan for future development.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Farmers question temple plan

Local governments are becoming more protective of farmers. In southwest Minnesota a county board struggled with a proposal to locate a Buddhist temple in an agricultural area.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Rural veterinarians in short supply

It's getting harder for farmers and ranchers in Minnesota to find a veterinarian when they need one. As older vets retire, there are fewer young vets who want to take over rural practices. It turns out more vet students are choosing to work on small animals in urban areas after graduation. The change has the state facing a shortage of vets who specialize in livestock.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

State health, agriculture leaders work to ease mad cow fears

Minnesota's food and health experts did their best to ease fears and answer assorted questions about mad cow disease in a statewide videoconference with farmers, veterinarians and public health professionals.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!