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Raw milk producers aim to regulate themselves

Raw milk producers aim to regulate themselves

A patchwork of permissions and workarounds means that, as a nation, we don't have any national standards when it comes to raw milk testing and safety.
by Deena Prichep

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State officials promise tougher approach on nitrates contaminating groundwater

State officials promise tougher approach on nitrates contaminating groundwater

Minnesotans are spending millions of dollars to deal with nitrate contamination in their water, and the state agriculture department says it's time to insist that farmers do more to prevent the problem.
by Mark Steil

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Feds will pay farmers to create thousands of acres of bee habitats

Feds will pay farmers to create thousands of acres of bee habitats

Under the program, landowners and the federal government will split the cost of seeding plants that provide food for bees. Landowners will be paid a bonus for signing on to the program.
by Dan Gunderson

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Farmers embrace drones, yet regulations remain unclear

Farmers embrace drones, yet regulations remain unclear

Hundreds of farmers in the Upper Midwest are collecting data about their fields with drones this year, hoping the information will make their farm operations more productive.
by Dan Gunderson

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Amber waves of green? If industrial hemp takes off, yes

Amber waves of green? If industrial hemp takes off, yes

The most recent farm bill is allowing a handful of farmers across the country to put hemp, the non-psychoactive cousin of marijuana, in the ground. Hemp fibers are used to make rope, clothing and car interiors. But despite the new law, many farmers say they're getting mixed messages from the federal government.
by Luke Runyon

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Sodden spring spells uncertainty for Minnesota crop prices

Sodden spring spells uncertainty for Minnesota crop prices

Minnesota farmers may be looking at a financial squeeze this year. The wet spring has eliminated drought in much of the corn belt, suggesting a big crop could be on the way. That's helping drive down prices below the break even level for a lot of producers.
by Mark Steil

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Minnesota farmers race to finish corn planting

Minnesota farmers race to finish corn planting

Minnesota farmers are racing to finish corn planting ahead of a key deadline set by the federal crop insurance program.
by The Associated Press

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Missouri River water deal still needs local money

Missouri River water deal still needs local money

Minnesota lawmakers agreed to supply about $60 million to bring Missouri River water into dry southwestern Minnesota. Local officials now need to determine whether they can come up with some matching money.
by Mark Steil

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Unchecked irrigation threatens to sap Minnesota groundwater

Unchecked irrigation threatens to sap Minnesota groundwater

An MPR News investigation shows that several hundred Minnesota farmers are probably pumping groundwater to irrigate their crops without required permits, making it harder for the state to understand and regulate what's happening to a water resource increasingly seen as vulnerable.
by Mark Steil

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Ag census shows boom in farm sales

Ag census shows boom in farm sales

Continuing a long-term trend, the number of U.S. farms dropped to 2.1 million in 2012, about a 4 percent drop from five years earlier. But some of the bigger farms got bigger. The average farm grew from 418 to 434 acres.
by The Associated Press

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