Agriculture

Low Mississippi River water levels could add to soybean exporters’ headaches
More than half of American soybeans depend on the Mississippi River as an export channel. But no significant rainfall is forecast for the lower half of the Mississippi, which could hinder the transport of goods, like soybeans.
State expands hyperlocal weather data collection to northwestern Minnesota farmers
To explain what the Ag Weather Network does for farmers and the rest of Minnesota, state Agriculture Department hydrologist and program manager Stefan Bischof joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer on Morning Edition.
Farm incomes continued to weaken during the second quarter
Upper Midwest farm incomes decreased in the second quarter of the year according to a survey of ag lenders from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. 
1.2 million immigrants are gone from the US labor force under Trump, preliminary data shows
As parades and other events celebrating the contributions of workers in the U.S. are held Monday for the Labor Day holiday, experts say President Donald Trump’s stepped-up immigration policies are impacting the nation's labor force.
‘Our way of life’: State Fair traditions keep a Minnesota farm family close across generations
Sarah Schmidt hoped her kids would take to the farm life she grew up with and maybe show their animals at the State Fair. Years of early mornings, livestock shows and ribbons prove she didn’t have to worry.
Concerns over federal tariffs and budget bill dominate Farmfest policy forum
Farming has never been easy, but this year seems especially challenging, with input costs rising, violent storms damaging crops and some commodity prices dropping. Those concerns took center stage at the annual Minnesota Farmfest, which is underway this week in the southern part of the state. 
Minnesota's 'Millennial Farmer' talks future of agriculture at Farmfest
Zach Johnson, a sixth-generation soy and corn farmer and YouTuber from west central Minnesota, talked to MPR News guest host Chris Farrell about pride and pressure to advance his farm into its seventh generation.
Farmfest Forums to highlight AI in agriculture, trade policy
Farmfest is a three-day event from Aug. 5-7 in Morgan, Minn., on County Highway 13 in Redwood County at the Gilfillan Estate. Using artificial intelligence in agriculture will be one of the topics.
Ranchers say expanding herds to take advantage of record retail beef prices isn’t so simple
South Dakota rancher Calli Williams wants to benefit from high beef prices, but it's not so simple. She and her husband have faced challenges like drought, limited grass for grazing, and rising land costs.