Agriculture

Lawmaker: Raise fertilizer fees to help pay cost of nitrate pollution
DFL Rep. Rick Hansen says farmers should pay higher fees for nitrogen fertilizer, the source of the majority of nitrate contamination in southeast Minnesota. Farm groups oppose the idea.
Minnesota Farm Bureau seeks to engage urban ag producers
The Minnesota Farm Bureau is hosting its first urban agriculture conference this month in St. Paul. The century old ag organization is expanding efforts to advocate for farmers of all sizes.
Six months after HyLife shut down, former workers hope for ‘better life’ if plant reopens
Half a year after the plant closed at short notice, laid-off workers and the city itself await the reopening of the pork processor under new ownership. However, the local residents have more questions than answers.
The Hamas attack left many Israeli farms abandoned — some worry forever
In some of the farm communities hardest hit during the Oct. 7 attack, volunteers from Israel and around the world are arriving to fill the gap left by workers who are no longer there.
Minnesota farmers want help fending off voracious deer
Farmers across the state want the Department of Natural Resources to do more to curb damage from large herds of white-tailed deer. A DNR official said it would be difficult for the state to compensate farmers for all wildlife losses. But agency staff are drafting regulatory proposals to address the deer problem that they could unveil during the upcoming legislative session.
American Crystal Sugar reports a record crop despite drought
Moorhead-based American Crystal Sugar Company is reporting a record crop in 2023 as the sugar beet cooperative marks its 50th anniversary.
State agencies pledge new steps to reduce nitrate in southeast Minnesota
Last month, the EPA said state agencies need to develop a comprehensive plan to tackle the nitrate problem in eight southeast Minnesota counties’ drinking water. In a letter Friday, commissioners of the departments of health, agriculture and the Pollution Control Agency promised to do more – but said they may need more federal or state money to do so.
Millions of U.S. apples were almost left to rot. Now, they'll go to hungry families
Many growers across the country have been left without a market due to oversupplied apple processors. West Virginia rescued its surplus, with a plan that donates apples to hunger-fighting charities.
Judge throws out lawsuit by southeastern Minnesota dairy farm seeking to triple in size
Environmental advocates, including the Land Stewardship Project, opposed the expansion. They said the additional manure generated by a larger operation would increase the risk of water pollution in a region where nitrate in groundwater already is a problem.