Agriculture

'Perfect storm' of fall weather - and falling numbers - hits wheat farmers hard
Wheat farmers thought they had a solid crop that might turn a profit in a bleak year for agriculture. Then they hauled the crop to the elevator and found out an unexpected problem sharply reduced the value of the crop. It’s a story about weather, chemistry — and bread.
A bitter harvest for sugar beet farmers
It’s been a tough harvest for every crop grown in the region. Farmers fought through mud to harvest crops during a wet fall, and this year’s sugar beet losses come on top of several years of low crop prices and an ongoing trade war with China.
Senate Democrats assail Trump's $16B bailout for farmers
President Trump's $16 billion bailout package for farmers hurt by the trade war with China unfairly benefits the South at the expense of the North and wealthy producers over smaller farms, Democratic senators concluded in a report released Tuesday.
With floral candles, Hmong sisters honor parents’ farming legacy
Each November, the Hmong American Farmers Association offers artwork people can buy alongside produce grown by Hmong farmers. This year’s art — candles featuring flowers from a Hmong family’s field — comes with a good story.
Walz seeks agriculture disaster declaration for NW Minnesota
Gov. Tim Walz has asked U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to declare a disaster for 12 counties of northwestern Minnesota where farmers are having a difficult harvest season.
Ask a ‘sotan: How does the state regulate buying raw milk?
An audience question about where customers can buy raw milk leads us to ask a farmer and a food inspection expert about state regulations over unpasteurized dairy.
Fargo scientists search for next generation of plant-based plastics
A national collaboration of scientists from four universities is breaking new ground in the search for plant-based plastic to replace petroleum-based materials.