Agriculture

Tariffs leave Minn.’s nation-leading kidney bean crop in limbo
Minnesota farmers lead the nation in the production of red kidney beans. Dry beans are a profitable crop, but international trade disputes are cutting into the profits.
As financial worries grow, farmers grapple with mental health
The stress of farming can lead to anxiety or depression. It can also trigger or worsen other mental health conditions. Angela Davis talks with state leaders and a representative from the Minnesota Farmers Union about how famers cope and how they can find the care they need.
USDA offers pork companies a new inspection plan, despite opposition
Under new federal rules, pork companies can hire workers to do some tasks currently reserved for federal inspectors in hog slaughterhouses. Critics say it's a move toward privatization.
This week at farm show: Technology, drones and tiny computers cut farm chemical use
Experts say combining developing drone technology and computer-controlled field sprayers could mean big reductions in pesticide use. By using drone-collected imagery to map weeds in a field, an herbicide can be applied only to those areas.
Grim economics wallop ethanol and corn producers
The recent shut down of one of Minnesota’s oldest ethanol plants is a symptom of economic stress in that industry and the corn producers who supply the main ingredient for the biofuel.
Trade war taking a toll in Minnesota
With the addition of new tariffs last Sunday, Minnesota retailers say they’re going to start adding the cost to prices. Ag producers are at risk of losing export markets.
Scotland, Switzerland claim titles at world plowing competition near Baudette
More than 7,000 people turned out to watch this weekend's world plowing championship in northern Minnesota. Scotland won one division of the competition near Baudette; Switzerland took the title in the other.